Sexy Sustainable Stuff

We consumers are savvy, and we love DIY. While we are more conscious about what we consume, when we do open our wallets, we’re discovering the value and virtue of purchasing used and repurposed items.

eBay, the buy/sell empire, is challenging consumers to make even more sustainable choices. Starting last week, and ending November 19th, ebay’s, Green Team with Ecofabulous’ style guru, Zem Joaquin, is launching a national competition for the most creative do-it-yourself home decor reuse project to benefit Global Green.

ebay’s Green Team set out on a six-week “re+purpose” campaign to increase awareness that the greenest products are often ones that already exist: vintage, used, or repurposed.

“The trend towards repurposing is something we see consumers embracing around the world,” says Amy Skoczlas Cole, Director of the eBay Green Team. “These consumers recognize how much stuff there is in the world. They see buying used and vintage as not only a way to shop smart, but also to help the planet by extending the useful life of things that already exist. Useful stuff doesn’t need to become useless trash. By connecting buyers and sellers in the world’s largest online marketplace, eBay helps create value for vintage, used and refurbished products. The re+purpose campaign promotes three of the best creative reuse efforts we see today.”

re+purpose is the perfect collaboration for green companies like ebay and EcoFabulous, the go to place for sexy, sustainable stuff. Along with Global Green USA, Zem also sits on the board of directors of Healthy Child, Healthy World and Teens for Safe Cosmetics. Once again, she takes her mission to inspire people to live more sustainably without sacrificing style or quality, to the ecosphere. She no doubt will hold tight to EcoFabulous’ stringent criteria when judging the DIY entrees:

* Is the product and the process used to create it pure and free of toxins, both for personal health and the environment?
* When the product has fulfilled its dedicated use, will it biodegrade or is there a plan for its next life? (For example can it be recycled or reused in another form?)
* Does the product exemplify superior quality and aesthetic design? In other words, does it work well and does it look good?

Along with writing inspiring content to complement the DIY competition, Zem is rewarding new and returning eBay Green Team members with one dollar donated on their behalf to Global Green USA.
Like making new stuff from old stuff? Then put your DIY skills to the task and help keep stuff out of our landfills by closing the loop. Find out more about the re+purpose campaign here.