Merchandise Monday: Go Green!

In celebration of all the green that is popping up after the long winter, we thought we’d introduce some “green” products we have in our award assortment. This selection is just a sample of the many eco-friendly, recycled and socially responsible items we have available. When you purchase and use these products, you’re helping to create a more sustainable planet and giving back to those in need. 

GoalZero® Switch™ 8 Kit - Solar Recharging Kit with Nomad 3.5 Solar Panel

Power anything anywhere with the Switch™ 8 Kit – great for use with most USB-powered devices. Switch 8 offers approximately three recharges to your MP3 player, one recharge to your smartphone, 50-percent boost to your e-reader and 25-percent boost to your tablet.

Helping Hand Artisans Silvery Tradition Cuff

Reminiscent of a beautiful English garden resplendent with vines and spectacular blooms, this engraved brass cuff in antique silver-tone finish is sure to delight. Proceeds provide jobs and economic stability where few employment opportunities exist, offering local artisans the freedom to live independently.

Helping Hand Artisans Recycled Cement Tote

Not only socially conscious, but environmentally friendly to boot! Made from recycled Thai cement bags, the Recycled Cement Tote is the ideal companion for a person on the go! The purchase of this Tote supports the fight against human trafficking.

Smart Solar Ashbourne Solar Birdbath

Create a relaxing atmosphere in your garden patio or balcony. It's made of low maintenance resin and recycles water from a hidden reservoir and operates in direct sunlight. No wiring or operating costs - simply install and enjoy!

Smart Solar Tangier Solar Ceramic Lantern - 2 Pack

        Perfect for any outdoor area, these lanterns illuminate automatically at dusk and turn off at dawn. Dual modes feature white or color changing light. No wiring and no assembly required. Includes a convenient hanging loop so that the jar can be hung from your favorite tree, pergola or porch.

Smart Solar Umbrella Series Solar Fountain

Add a touch of whimsy to your garden or patio. This solar fountain operates in sunlight and features water trickling off of an umbrella. One-gallon water capacity, no wires to install and low maintenance with zero operating costs.

Smateria Recycled Motorcycle Seat/Netting Messenger Bag – Small

This stylish and eco-friendly messenger bag made from recycled motorcycle seats and accented with mosquito netting and is both durable and functional. Purchases support artisan families in Cambodia, including daycare and preschool for their children.

Wai Lana™ Eco-Friendly Bamboo Towel Set

This bath, hand and wash towel set is made from 100 percent bamboo, an ecologically sustainable crop. Sumptuously plush, soft and silky, these towels are more absorbent than standard cotton towels and are naturally hypoallergenic, antimicrobial and odor-resistant.

Merchandise Monday: Show Mother Earth Some Love

Tuesday, April 22 is Earth Day, an annual celebration during which events take place all over the world in support of environmental protection. According to Wikipedia, the first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, and is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network and celebrated in more than 192 countries on April 22 each year.

In honor of Earth Day, this week we’re focusing on green, eco-friendly and socially responsible items available in our assortment. Why not do something good and give back to Mother Nature, the planet and the people who inhabit this home we all share!

Dreambean Candles Bliss Bag

Dreambean Candles products are handmade by participants of Bright Endeavors, a non-profit social enterprise and job training program committed to helping homeless and at-risk young women ages 16-25. Elevate the at-home spa experience with the Bliss Bag, 32 ounces of soothing fair trade Pink Himalayan soaking salt scented with invigorating, phthalate-free rosemary and mint oils. Each biodegradable Bliss Bag offers up to eight relaxing baths that draw out impurities and gently soften skin. Proceeds go toward support training, mentoring and permanent job placement for the young women that lovingly create and package each product.

Helping Hand Artisans 8.5-inch Square Bowl

Helping Hand Artisans is a social enterprise comprised of fair trade crafter and artisan collectives in the developing world. Its mission is to help these people create sustainable livelihoods for their families through the sale of their beautiful, eco-friendly crafts. They offer a line of fair trade, stylish, handmade accessories, housewares and gifts that are perfect for every occasion – each with an individual story. Freedom and independence ring true in these bold iron bowls. Artisans in India collect each individual iron ring from local repair shops and hand-weld each of the connection points. Helping Hand Artisans provides jobs and stability where few employment opportunities exist.

Smart Solar Umbrella Hanging Solar Lantern 8-pack

Looking to add a little light to your outdoor space? The Hanging Solar Lantern set is ideal for your patio or deck. Simply clip to an umbrella for ambient lighting around a table or even place on a flat surface. These open-bottom LED lanterns are eco-friendly and powered by an integrated solar panel that automatically turns the lamp on at dusk and off at dawn. When fully charged, they provide up to 8-hours of light per night. Lanterns include handle, hanging clips and replaceable rechargeable Ni-MH battery.

Superex® Deluxe Solar Powerstation with Air Compressor

Solar charging is really in right now and the Powerstation features a heavy-duty, large capacity battery that is a fully portable power source, perfect for cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, RVs, tractors, power failures or situations without conventional power sources. Features include built-in professional strength 6-gauge booster cables with reverse polarity alarm and multiple power outlets – two 12-volt (auto), 110 volt (household appliances, 200 watts max.) and USB port (for charging PDAs, iPhones®, MP3 players and other portable devices).

Wagan® Solar eCharger™ 2.1A

The Solar eCharger™ 2.1A recharges mobile electronics with a built-in Li-ion battery that fully recharges in 5-8 hours via sunlight or 2-3 hours via AC adapter. Indicator lights when unit is ready to deliver power (either from DC or solar) and when batteries are charged. Uses superior monocrystalline solar cells and features two USB outputs. Accessories include AC and DC chargers and cell phone tips. 

Merchandise Monday: Green ‘13

Pantone®, the popular authority on all things color, has announced that emerald will be the color of 2013. This soothing shade of green brings to mind everything from royalty and jewels to nature and fresh grass. Not only is it a pretty and versatile color, it also symbolizes eco-friendliness and sustainability, two very important concepts to be mindful of as we move into the future.

For today’s Merch Monday, we dove into our vast award assortment to bring you examples of both. All of these items were added just this year and represent the array of products we have available at Hinda for redemption. So browse away and get ready for a green 2013!

Emerald

Sevya Malini Silk and Cotton Scarf

The Malini Silk and Cotton Scarf is hand-woven of fine silk and cotton in shades of green with a delicate and soft ruffle design. "Sevya" means caring through service; caring for humanity and for the environment we live in. Sevya is dedicated to preserving the indigenous art forms of India by supporting the artisan communities who uphold these traditions. Sevya's handmade scarves, clothing and bags bring together fair trade and fashion.

MyMela Green Luster Sterling Silver Earrings

Brighten your appearance with these radiant peridot and sterling silver drop earrings. The semiprecious rose-cut stone looks lush and alive – and you will, too. MyMela provides marketing support to its artisans, so they can continue their craft while caring for their families. Purchase of MyMela products ensures that the artisans have the opportunity to live in dignity while continuing to practice their traditional crafts.

Spaulding® NBA® Official Green Basketball

The NBA Official Green Basketball is made of 35 percent recycled material and features green and oatmeal colored rubber panels. Designed for outdoor play, the basketball is official NBA size at 29.5" circumference and 1.6 pounds. Watch your basketball fan go from novice to pro right before your eyes!

Eco-friendly

PremiumBag, LLC Eco-Friendly Roll Bag

The Eco-Friendly Roll Bag features a top zippered opening leading to main compartment, a detachable and adjustable shoulder strap and double web carrying handles with a Velcro wrap closure. A front zippered pocket and carrying handle are placed on one end of the roll bag. Feel confident as you tote your necessities and help Mother Earth at the same time.

Mobile Edge The Komen® Eco-Friendly Tote

This is the perfect bag for a new generation – a full-featured laptop case with a removable computer protection compartment that converts to an all-purpose tote in seconds. With the Eco-Friendly Casual Tote, you’ll be protecting your laptop and the environment at the same time, while making a simple yet elegant fashion statement. It’s a case you can feel good about carrying!

Wai Lana™ Eco-Friendly Bamboo Towel Set

This bath, hand and wash towel set is made from 100 percent bamboo, an ecologically sustainable crop. Sumptuously plush, soft and silky, these towels are more absorbent than standard cotton towels and are naturally hypoallergenic, antimicrobial and odor-resistant. You won’t go back to your regular cotton towels after using this bamboo towel set.

What do you think of Pantone’s choice for 2013’s color of the year? It’s calming, it’s eco-friendly, it’s lucky. Maybe 2013 will be a lucky –or luckier – year for some of us. Remember: green is also the color of money. Why not keep that in the back of your mind as we toss out our old 2012 hats and try our lucky emerald 2013 ones on for size!