Adrienne has her eye on the table with a tips for how to make it pretty and green! Whaddya think?
I love stumbling on products that I didn't realize had been "green-ized" yet. Like placemats. Dear, underestimated and surprisingly useful placemats. Good for spicing up a table setting, good for catching spills, and (now) good for the environment.
Here are some of my favorite top finds:
Mosaic Recycled Placemat from CB2 $6.95 each. Made of shredded juice boxes that have been compressed and made water-resistant, these placemats don't just look good, they're a modern recycling marvel.
Napkin Catch Placemat from Branch $19. There's a built-in napkin holder! That's enough for this placemat to be included on any 'best of' list, but the fact that's its made of 30% post-industrial waste doesn't hurt either.
Recycled Newspaper and Candy Wrapper Placemats from Ecoist $68 for 4. Using materials that are otherwise considered trash, these placemats protect your tabletops as well as provide interesting reading material at the dinner table.
Fetch! Jumbo Pet Placemat from o.r.e. $11.95. Don't forget fido! He deserves an eco-friendly option for his doggie bowl too. Made of recycled rubber, they also come in a smaller size.
Paper Table Placemats from 3r Living $24. These placemats are waterproof, cannot be torn and---best part--- made from tree-free paper. They're 100% recyclable and provide great graphics for your table top!
What do you think?
Copyright © 2008 Apartment Therapy
oo i like the ecoist one's....anyone know how to make them?
view Lizzykewl's profile
Lizzykewl I found this link:
http://www.hgtv.com/holidays-occasions/woven-place-mats-and-napkin-rings/index.html
But it doesn't appear to be quite the pattern they used. It might be a good start. I'll keep looking to see if I can find their secret!
view adrienne breaux's profile
awesome, thx!
view Lizzykewl's profile
not actually "good" for the environment, just less bad. ANYTHING you buy new is manufactured from something, shipped, etc. If you like them and want to buy them, cool, but don't think your shopping is making the world a better place.
view erica's profile
Erica, fair point. I usually try to avoid buying new things of any kind. But, if you desperately need placemats (hey, it could be possible!) I think these are some of the best choices out there!
Or, you could always try and make the woven one out of your own recycled candy wrappers and magazines!
view adrienne breaux's profile
Erica you make a good point. Nothing we consume is going to save the planet, hopefully just destroy it a little less. The sentiment that you can be an activist by purchasing something really bugs me.
The ecoist placemats are cool. I have a purse made out of newsprint from them, it seems like it's coated in plastic, maybe you could use some sort of packing tape to weave it yourself. They're expensive, but well made.
view inertia's profile
To clarify- I buy stuff, new stuff, often enough, and I don't mean to say everyone needs to never buy anything. Just don't buy stuff and feel like you're doing the world a favor. Buy it 'cause you want it, you're aware that you're consuming resources, and your desire for the item outweighs the effects/guilt of your consumption.
view erica's profile
Placemats? Who needs placemats? Go to Goodwill. Use newspapers.
view Palmetto's profile
When you start trying to have a little class, eh-hem, you'll want to use something besides newspapers. Why are you buying newspapers anyway? How do you get a set of 8 from that? I hear they are available online and that only works if you're having dinner together in a chatroom.
view K T G's profile