Women in fashionable bamboo tops and hemp skirts parade down a runway waving bulky fronds.
Passers-by test the comfort of a natural latex mattress made up with crisp white organic cotton bedding
Nearly 15,000 visited the first annual Sustainable Living Exposition in Vancouver and came away with a message: Green is hip and sophisticated.
The exposition, also known as EPIC (Ethical. Progressive. Intelligent. Consumer.) took place at Vancouver's Exhibition and Convention Centre this past weekend. Interested green-goers discovered hundreds of exhibitors with an array of new products.
Dan Close, Cactus Club Café chef, prepared seasonal sustainable cuisine in front of onlookers at a Caper's demonstration kitchen situated amid a host of organic food vendors.
Visitors milled around to sample free cups of espresso from Salt Spring Coffee Company, organic wine from French Rabbit, and beer compliments of Pacific Western Brewing Company. Kids snacked on dried exotic fruit from Bare Fruit, and mango almond chutney on rice crackers, compliments of Everland Natural Foods.
A home section featured the latest trends in eco-friendly interior design. Organic wool carpets, chemical free paints, and collections of furnishings and lighting made out of recycled fir and bamboo were stylishly displayed together with a selection of high design products.
Salvaged luxurious home wares were exhibited by Ouno Design and luscious cotton quilts and bedding by Tenfold Organic. EPIC delivered on its promise to introduce a new breed of well-designed and fashionable products, but it also reflected a thrust among sustainable businesses to make green products accessible.
"EPIC reflects the sophistication of a maturity within the community about how we talk about environmental issues and greater concerns of health— it's making things hip. It's hip to be green— that's what EPIC is all about," said Gil Yaron, owner of Frogfile Office Essentials.
Michael Ziff, owner of Twice Shy Clothing, agrees. "We just came back from a fashion show in New York City that we've attended the last three years. This trip, the response to our products was different. The products seemed more accessible to people. They were less resistant. Before, they would say things like, 'Oh, organic is too expensive' or 'How can cotton be organic?'"
Yaron wants green to go main stream. "We want to dispel this myth that green has to cost more. We are about to put out a line of envelopes and binders that we think will be really leading edge, and we are definitely price competitive."
Dale Littlejohn, chair of the Vancouver chapter of the British Columbia Sustainable Energy Association, said, "Creating local demand is essential if we are to keep jobs and expertise in British Columbia. Businesses as well go where the market is."
Both Ziff and Yaron say they are on a mission to shift the market to pool consumer power.
"We must start purchasing green products to demonstrate to manufacturers that there is a market for them. Then we can get manufacturers to shift their production practices and start making greener products," said Yaron.
Although developing cleaner industrial and manufacturing processes and products is essential to reducing the impact on the environment, Jason Grunsell of EPI Environmental Technologies Inc. says recognizing the need for multi-tiered solutions is part of what makes the transformation among sustainable businesses sophisticated. EPI created a totally degradable plastic additive (TDPA) that does not require manufacturers to change their production practices. TDPA is used by manufacturers of plastics, packaging, composting, and waste management industries to render their products degradable and biodegradable. Incorporated into conventional manufacturing processes, TDPA changes the molecular character of synthetically produced plastics making them degradable and biodegradable.
Those who didn't get a chance to visit the expo will still be able to check out the products, as many of the exhibitors are locally based. EPIC will be back in 2008.
Feeds