March, 2009

Sustainability — 2 Comments
21
Mar 09

Green consumption: surprising findings?

Boston Consulting Group (BCG) recently released a report called: “Capturing the Green Advantage for Consumer Companies“. Full report can be found at:

http://www.bcg.com/impact_expertise/publications/publication_list.jsp?pubid=2821

Some highlights:

-      “More consumers systematically purchased more green products in 2008 than in 2007″;

-      ” Fully 73% consider it important or very important that companies have a good environmental track record”;

-      66%  believe it is important or very important that ” companies should offer green products”;

-      Meaning of green varies by country. The US has the highest percentage among all countries of respondents that believe that green products are “products that can be recycled or reused” (86%); “products that are made of recycled materials” (84%); “products that consume less energy in their production or use” (81%);

-      “Price is not a significant obstacle for most buyers”, “it actually ranks much lower as a barrier to green purchasing than lack of awareness of green alternatives”.

The report focuses on ingestible products, products that are applied to the body, wearable products, plug-in products and disposable products (paper, plastic and household cleaners).

Do you believe the attitudes and behaviors toward these products will influence consumption of other products?

  • Share/Bookmark
Merida — Comments Off
20
Mar 09

Merida Craftsman Transforms Scraps Into a Cool Wool Rug

steven-wool-rug-finished11

The creative Viewpoint rug above was designed by one of Merida’s fine talents, Steven Ho. Steven has worked on the Merida Production Team for the past ten years and now leads the team as the Supervisor. Due to Steven’s rug finishing experience and incredible attention to detail and design, he became the “go to guy” for Viewpoint finishing and has been heavily involved with the program since its introduction.

The rug was created by gluing 12″ squares of Viewpoint patterns together to create a “block-like” rug. Steven developed this rug for use in his children’s playroom, as shown. Below are photos Steven took at each step of the process. We believe the fun, patchwork look fits in other casual room settings as well. We’d also like to give special thanks to Steven’s son Sammy for modeling and making the rug look like so much fun!

Please share with us your feedback on this rug design by Steven Ho!

Step 1: Cut scrap rug pieces to cut into tiles

steven-wool-rug-step11steven-wool-rug-step2steven-wool-rug-step3

Step 2: Glue the edges of each tile

steven-wool-rug-step4

Step 3: Fit together each tile in the desired pattern

steven-wool-rug-step5

Step 4: Apply adhesive tape backing to reinforce the seams

steven-wool-rug-step6

Step 5: Get your train set and enjoy your new rug!

steven-wool-rug-finshed2

  • Share/Bookmark
Merida / Sustainability — Comments Off
17
Mar 09

Our latest partner: APAEB, a cooperative farm in Brazil

Brazil is the largest worldwide producer of sisal, exporting some 113,000 metric tons per year. Most of the sisal producers are small farms in the dry, arid climate of northeast Brazil. This area is also home to some of the 30 million Brazilians  living in rural poverty. According to the International Fund for Agricultural Development,

Poor communities [are subject to] disadvantaged conditions and degraded environments [...] Education and health facilities are not readily available, and water supply and sewage systems are generally inadequate. Poor communities have extremely limited access to technology, and infrastructure is inadequate.

apaeb-logo1In the early 1980s, with this reality facing his own community in the state of Bahia, farmer Ismael Ferreira de Oliveira set out to change the status quo. The cooperative farming organization that he founded, APAEB (Association of Small Farmers of the State of Bahia), now generates annual revenue of more than $7 million and provides economic, social and educational opportunities for residents of the community. The organization has successfully reversed the regional trend of falling sisal production, and has increased the market value of sisal by producing finished products and harnessing the power of collective selling.

apaeb-sisal-rugs-2041Merida is proud to partner with this organization and its 800 workers by investing in and purchasing select sisal products. Our weaving specialists are working with APAEB technicians to update equipment and demonstrate innovative weaving techniques, and we have also visited the community’s school, library and computer labs, all of which help the young people in the community connect to and learn from the outside world.

One of the more interesting sustainable developments APAEB has made is an innovative use for “waste” material. When sisal fibers are extracted from the plant, a large amount of pulpy vegetable matter is left over. apaeb-sisal-rugs-1946To take advantage of this protein-rich substance, APAEB farmers mix it with pulp from cactus leaves and feed it to dairy goats that live on the farms. The result is a closed loop, zero-waste system that is highly profitable for the organization.

Just last week we received a large shipment of one of our most popular products, Kona Black Walnut, from this supplier. Order this renewable and sustainable product today and you’ll have a beautiful rug and a great story too!

More APAEB Photos

apaeb-sisal-rugs-1832apaeb-sisal-rugs-1841apaeb-sisal-rugs-1842apaeb-sisal-rugs-1850apaeb-sisal-rugs-1876apaeb-sisal-rugs-1981

  • Share/Bookmark
Sustainability — 1 Comment
17
Mar 09

Recession may help the cause of sustainability

The recession forces us all to re-evaluate. Re-evaluate who we are and what is important to us. Many are spending more time at home with family either by desire or by necessity. Many are trying to develop creative ways to generate income to replace income lost or to supplement reduced income . Families are organizing garage sales as well as selling items on sites such as Craig’s List or eBay. Swap websites have become very popular. Groups like Freecycle enable people to swap goods with each other close to home.

All of this activity enables people to purge and cleanse. Someone who might otherwise have put something in the garbage is now finding more responsible ways to rid themselves of excess and perhaps profit by doing so.

An inadvertent result of this “re-purposing” of possessions is that consumers begin to think differently about how they are spending money and what they are spending it on. Spontaneous and frivolous purchases fall by the wayside. What we are willing to spend on or invest in takes on new meaning. Longevity and security become more desirable. Responsibility to ourselves and to others becomes tantamount.

Wrapped into all of this is sustainability. If I am going to invest my hard earned cash, I want it to be spent on something that is well made, is going to last and is sensitive to the environment as well as to the people who made it. The recession thus has a way of helping the cause of sustainability.

Share/Save/Bookmark

  • Share/Bookmark