SUSTAINABILITY: design for a better world®

Since 2008, NYIGF has taken a leadership role the green arena through its SustainAbility: design for a better world® project, a special exhibit and educational series showcasing “green” gift and home products and business practices. In 2010, NYIGF will publish criteria that the industry can use to identify green products and producers, and rankings that indicate the extent to which a product or producer is eco-friendly.

display

The SustainAbility: design for a better world® display is a curated exhibit of global gift and home industry suppliers whose products or production processes are eco-friendly, or companies whose business practices are socially responsible, philanthropic or fair-trade oriented. Participation is free to all NYIGF exhibitors, but companies must apply and be accepted. Ilene Shaw of Shaw of Shaw + Co! Productions curates the exhibit for NYIGF, considering newness and inventiveness, as well as adherence to the following criteria:

“Green” Products: products that are manufactured or constructed with only recycled, recyclable and/or sustainable materials.
Environmentally-friendly Production Processes: manufacturers who are using renewable or alternative sources of energy in production, including wind, sun, and alternative fuels.
Socially-responsible business practices: products produced by indigenous peoples, creating viable, sustainable trades and markets in poverty-stricken and needy communities worldwide; and manufacturers who donate percentages of their sales to not-for-profit organizations.
Beginning in 2010, NYIGF introduced a “Zero Tolerance” for products with: VOC; Lead (for baby, children and food-related products); PVC, without recommendation for use and disposal, and unless repurposed; and Aniline dyes, formaldehyde, chlorine (for textiles)

Exhibitors: Click here to learn more about participating in the Display.

SustainAbility Display Participant List

Winter 2012 Participants
Summer 2011 Participants
Winter 2011 Participants
Summer 2010 Participants
Winter 2010 Participants
Summer 2009 Participants

green criteria

In 2009, NYIGF convened a “green task force” to develop criteria that the industry can use to identify green products and producers, and rankings that indicate the extent to which a product or producer is eco-friendly. Advisors to NYIGF on this project are:
• Enrico Bressan of Artecnica
• Scot Case of TerraChoice
• Mark Caserta of 3R Living
• Amy Chender, COO of ABC Carpet & Home
• Paul Donald of Branch Home
• Matthew Morris
• Colleen Pendelton of AID TO ARTISANS
• Jessica Pope, Working Class Studio, SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design)
• Jaime Salm of MIO
• Ilene Shaw of Shaw + Co! Productions

eco choice awards

In 2009, NYIGF partnered with GREENRetailer magazine to formally recognize the industry’s most innovative and environmentally responsible products. The awards, which are presented semi-annually in connection with the NYIGF, give retailers the opportunity to vote in the categories of “Most Innovative,” “Most Sensitive Use of Materials,” and “Most Sellable.” All products in the NYIGF SustainAbility display are eligible for consideration.

Eco Choice Award Winners
Click here to view past winners