One of the best kept secrets on the internet is, World of Good.com, by EBay. Who knew? Sure it feeds into our already mega-consumerism but, ---- Come On!!! This is just good green fun. Let me tell you what you'll find. For the umber chic mommies there are fabulous organic dresses, sweaters, and such for your tiny tots that I'm sure are staples of the Hollywood glitterati - I kid you not. There are hemp yoga wear in a rainbow of earth-friendly dyes and colors. I also found a GQ-worthy turtleneck that I'd be proud to put on my 6'4" hubby, not to mention super cute t-shirts for under 20 bucks.
There were the long and short organic skirts as per usual that were nothing to brag about but at least offer an alternative to over-designed frocks that leave you with sticker shock and contribute to unchecked manufacturing waste by-products. What you will find is "vegan nail care" in sexy colors that you'll be proud to show off on manicured hands and toes. Are you all about the accessories? You'll find more than 400 scarves, wraps, and shawls - oh my! How about 1,700 choices of bags and purses? Here's the place for the widest selection of recycled materials for bags, reusable shopping bags, and purses from all four corners of the world. My personal favorite was the Ile St Marie tote, by Mad Imports - featured in O Magazine! Here's the description:
Inspired by our favorite Madagascar island getaway, our Ile St Marie tote is the ultimate resort accessory. Made from colorful crocheted raffia + woven sea grass with a carved wood handle + button/loop closure.
Mad Imports is a socially & environmentally responsible company that markets handmade fashion accessories from Madagascar & Kenya . Our eclectic accessories blend traditional and contemporary design ideas of our international design team who incorporate renewable raw materials to create vivid & original clutches, totes and shoulder bags. The sale of our products enables families to gain economic independence and promotes environmental conservation.
If you're trying to decorate green, garden green, or find eco home goods - this is "one stop shopping" at its best. Spice up your lunch with the 3-tier, stainless steel compartments straight out of "Slum Dog Millionaire" and a bargain at $20.00. A hand-carved wood bench scene-stealer for inside or out and priced at $92.00. A stunning 4' teak bench lends a classic flair and uses teak, "Grown among reforested territories throughout Costa Rica. Sustainably managed teak is certified by the Smartwood/Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC)."
Smart Shopping, BIG Impact
Sure you'll reduce your carbon footprint and have fun doing it but World of Good makes it easy to increase your green awareness, learn about global issues, and maybe even create a movement. Here are just a few of the "a ha moments" you can explore while browsing for trinkets and eco electronics:
Buying Fair Trade is a laudable goal for the socially conscious: It's a practice that ensures safe working conditions and equitable wages for people in developing countries who, in the capitalist free market system, have been easy targets to overwork and underpay in order to beef up someone else's profits. If you pay people in a third-world country a fair wage, the kids there are more likely to go to school and get educated because they don't have to work to help the family get enough to eat. If a community organizes into a farm co-op and earns enough to invest in more organic practices, it can develop a healthier and more sustainable approach for future yearsand future generations.
Trustology. World of Good has gone the extra mile to partner with independent organizations - the Trust Providers - that verify the sellers, producers, and products on WorldofGood.com. You'll see wood products with the FSC certification, organic goods you can trust from the source, and even products that use no animal testing.
Articles. You can sign-up for the World of Good newsletter or browse hundreds of articles on eco-wallcoverings, shoes that fund Africa's AIDS orphans, sustainable food issues, and ethical business practices. You can even become part of a "community" effort across the globe and participate as much or as little as you decide.
Like you, I'm trying to do my part. Adding ebay and the World of Good to my consumerism is one easy thing I can to reduce my carbon footprint, leverage my consumerism in a positive way, and use my green to do good. Try it.