Now Tweeting

Subscribe

* Email
First Name
Last Name
Business
Zip
* = Required Field

New & Noteworthy

Categorically Speaking

Love Links

Founded in 2008, ecopop is an idea farm that

lives at the intersection of ecology and pop

culture. We create, market, advise, and co-own

brands that make a positive global impact.

Home & garden

Behold, some of the most innovative ideas as they relate to ecology, pop culture & positive change.

Meet Mable: A Modular Magazine Table System By ecopop x Thomas Crisp.

January 5th, 2012 | Posted By Chad Rea | Comments (0)

Mable was born out of the simple observation that some people, namely those working in creative industries, have way more magazines than space. Table tops and shelves become cluttered and nearby floorspace end up looking a lot like periodical stalagmites at a hoarders convention.

We set out to solve this problem by creating a modern table system that can both store and show off a large number of magazines while still providing a useable table top.

Made from sustainable bamboo, Mable a single table unit that can be added to, arranged, and used as a small to large coffee table or end table. The number of magazines used, as well as the magazine cover graphics, allow you to create and recreate its overall shape and personality every time an issue is added or removed.

Mable was slated to release in 2011. The furniture manufacturer, retailer, and distributor has since gone out of business. While we wait out her fate, you can catch us in our lobby reading a magazine on architecture.




Tagged: , ,
Posted in: Design   Home & garden

You Made The Right Choice. Great. Now What?

December 30th, 2010 | Posted By Chad Rea | Comments (0)

You bought the bamboo floor, the hempsilk blouse, and the hybrid car. Maybe, just maybe, because you liked the way they looked or they were on sale or some other reason that had little or nothing to do with the environment.

Even if you made a conscious decision to pick the more responsible option, you still have to care for these new innovations. Chances are, if they come with care instructions, they’re not unlike what your used to seeing on destructive products. “Wash cold, do not bleach, dry low.” Yeah, we get it.

For many of the same reasons you bought them in the first place, or maybe just because you don’t know any better, you’ll use the same old floor wax, laundry detergent and tire cleaner you always have. Doh!

It’s not like it used to be. Now there are products that aren’t like the others. Some play well with others. Others need to hang out with their own kind. Just what we need, more confusion.

This could be an opportunity for manufacturers to provide explicit care instructions that reflect their core values.

Don’t just inform us to machine wash. Inform us to machine wash responsibly. After all, alcohol brands tell us to “Enjoy Responsibly.” Why can’t constructive brands do the same?

Cleaning brands could be informing us about what kinds of quality materials they go well with. Floor and counter top brands could come with a list of recommended cleaning products. And so forth.

Perhaps brands could even team up. We’ve seen cookbooks that list brand names instead of generic ingredients. Why couldn’t Seventh Generation form a strategic alliance with Loomstate? Or Prius with No Rise Wash & Shine?

What else?

Tagged: , ,
Posted in: Home & garden