2008 Natural Health Conscious Choice Awards

Natural Health, June, 2008 by Christine Richmond

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AT NATURAL HEALTH we support companies that do good in the world either by improving labor relations, using safer materials or healthier ingredients, or reducing their impact on the environment. Each month, we recognize one of these businesses with our Conscious Choice award (see page 20). This year, we expanded the concept to recognize large and small companies alike that are leading the way in making the world a better place.

We hope you'll seek them out the next time you're at the grocery or health food store or your local mall.

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CONSCIOUS CHOICE WINNERS

HOME

1 CARPET COMPANY InterfaceFLOR This global flooring business proves that being sustainable can also be profitable.

* Why it's green: Every InterfaceFLOR product is recyclable, and seven of the company's factories run on wind power. It has pledged to eliminate all waste (such as scrap yarn) by 2020.

* Products we love: FLOR carpet tiles (shown) allow you to pop out and replace squares that become worn or stained--rather than install a whole new carpet if a section gets damaged. (interfaceflor.com)

2 KITCHEN PRODUCT MAKER Recycline This innovative company brings together recycled materials and great design.

* Why it's green: Recycline makes home goods out of recycled no. 5 plastic and post-consumer paper. And it closes the loop: You can send back its toothbrushes (crafted out of plastic yogurt cups) when you're done; they get turned into picnic tables.

* Products we love: Items from the Preserve kitchen line (sold at Whole Foods Markets)include colorful, ding-resistant colanders (shown, in red) and slate-like cutting boards that are coated in vegetable resin so they stand up to sharp knives--and the dishwasher. (recycline.com)

3 BEDDING BRAND Under the Canopy Founded by eco-entrepreneur Marci Zaroff, Under the Canopy is chic and planet-friendly.

* Why it's green: Under the Canopy uses organic cotton, which keeps vast amounts of pesticides out of the air and water. The company has partnered with big brands like Macy's and CB2, so it's easier than ever to find organic linens.

* Products we love: Duvets are decorated with embroidery and graphic prints; towels (shown, in bark) are ultra-soft. (underthecanopy.com)

CONSCIOUS CHOICE WINNERS

FASHION

1 TRENDSETTlNG LABEL Stewart Brown Husband-and-wife team Karen Stewart and Howard Brown are known for their hip designs.

* Why it's green: The duo set up a fair-trade partnership with Mongolian cashmere herders, and they use a wide range of sustainable fabrics like hemp, organic cotton, and Tencel (wood pulp). This fall, they're introducing yak wool sourced from a co-op in Tibet.

* Products we love: The Tencel tunic (shown) from the current spring Collection is breezy and flattering; Stewart Brown's sumptuous cashmere sweaters have playful details like ruffled trim. (stewartbrown.com)

2 OUTDOOR CLOTHIER Patagonia This ahead-of-the-curve company started making recycled polyester clothes in 1993.

* Why it's green: Patagonia's catalogs are printed on recycled paper, and its facility in Ventura, Calif., has its own solar-powered plant. Founder Yvon Chouinard cocreated One Percent for the Planet, a group of businesses that give 1 percent of their sales to environmental nonprofits.

* Products we love: Lightweight Capilene base-layers (shown), fleece garments, and other items can be recycled through Patagonia's Common Threads recycling program. (patagonia.com)

3 NATURAL FIBER PIONEER Eileen Fisher The company has made simple yet elegant clothes from natural materials since 1984.

* Why it's green: This season, Eileen Fisher introduced rain jackets made of plastic water bottles, plus new styles of fair-trade sweaters knit by Peruvian artisans. Clothes sewn in China meet strict standards set by the nonprofit group Social Accountability International. And each year, Eileen Fisher awards grants of $10,000 to five women-owned businesses to help them grow.

* Products we love: The hemp sweaters for spring (shown) are sheer, versatile, and easy-to-layer. (eileenfisher.com)

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CONSCIOUS CHOICE WINNERS

FOOD & BEVERAGES

1 FOOD GIANT Hain Celestial Group This well-known brand markets more than 3,000 organic and natural products.

* Why it's green: Hain Celestial sources ingredients sustainably. Chamomile used in Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime tea, for instance, comes from family-owned farms in Egypt that the company has worked with for 30-plus years. In addition, Hain Celestial is making its packaging less wasteful. Its Imagine organic soups come in recyclable Tetra Pak cartons made out of paper from responsibly managed forests.

* Products we love: Terra brand chips are a favorite in our editorial offices, and we also like snacking on caramel-flavored Hain rice cakes (shown). (hain-celestial.com)

2 DAIRY BRAND Organic Valley

A cooperative of 1,205 family-owned farms, Organic Valley is helping to preserve America's agricultural traditions.

* Why it's green: Organic Valley's co-op structure allows its members to compete with big brands, which means you'll find the company's dairy products, eggs, produce, and meat at major grocery stores like Publix and Whole Foods Markets. Founder George Siemon helped write the USDA organic standards.