NY NOW announces Eco Choice Award winners

NY NOW, the Market for Home, Lifestyle + Gift, is pleased to announce the winners of its Eco Choice Awards program for the winter 2016 market. Award-winning products are showcased within the SustainAbility: design for a better world display in the North Concourse, curated by Ilene Shaw of Shaw + Co! Productions, at NY NOW through Wednesday, February 3, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The winners of the winter 2016 Eco Choice Awards are:

Most Innovative 

•     WINNER: Eco Planter by Modern Sprout

Most Sensitive Use of Materials 

•     WINNER: Bee’s Wrap

Most Sellable

•     WINNER: Handspun Cotton Napkin by Snow Leopard Trust

“Now more than ever, consumers are actively seeking out products that are eco-friendly and socially-responsible. NY NOW’s Eco Choice Award winners, which represent offerings from across the market’s three Collections, showcase the continued demand for products that positively impact not only our communities, but also society as a whole,” said Scott Kramer, co-director and vice president, NY NOW. “NY NOW is proud to recognize the industry’s commitment to green products and business practices through these awards.”

For the first time, all participants of the SustainAbility: design for a better world product display were eligible for the Eco Choice Awards program. SustainAbility: design for a better world^® attracts submissions from across all three collections – HOME, LIFESTYLE and HANDMADE – of NY NOW’s expansive market. Each entry undergoes a rigorous qualifying process before selection for participation in the display. The program’s strict qualifying standards were revised in early 2015 to recognize the increasing importance of eco-friendly production practices, with additional qualifications including products that are manufactured or constructed with only recycled, recyclable and/or sustainable materials and an emphasis on socially responsible and fair trade business practices.

For the Eco Choice Awards, products were evaluated onsite at NY NOW earlier this week by judges Danny Seo of Naturally magazine, Sarah Schwartz of Stationery Trends magazine, and Amy Beierholm of ABC Carpet & Home. The winning products will remain on display within NY NOW’s SustainAblity: design for a better world^® exhibit throughout the duration of the market, and each product will be displayed along with details about their provenance and production process. These “back-stories” detail the green elements of the production process, including the use of renewable or alternative sources of energy in production, including wind, sun, and alternative fuels.