Database satisfies search for sustainable goods: Ecolect
By Laurie Posted on March 24th, 2009 in DesignThe search for green materials should be as easy as going to Google but sifting through your websearch can prove to be a pain.
Ecolect solves that problem by creating a database for designers and builders, listing over 1,000 green products, saving you the time to search for sustainable materials.
Founded in 2006, designers Joe Gebbia and Matt Grigsby began to compile a database of suppliers of sustainable materials to help them on their projects. As fellow graduates of The Rhode Island School of Design, they were annoyed with the time it took to research their materials for their design projects.
Eventually, their personal shared database grew, and they opted to developed Ecolect – a 
combination of “ecology” and “intellect” – to help fellow designers find sustainable materials, as a source of publicity for new creators, and a place to share reviews, thoughts, and ideas. (Such as the Foldable Greenhouse, pictured right [read more])
The products listed in the database aren’t added on simple tactics. Their team analyzes each added product and company from their raw materials to distribution, ensuring each step is eco-friendly. They don’t sell the materials, but instead aim to connect designers and companies, creating a community as well.
Their own innovations include the GreenBox™, Material NutritionLabel™, and Materials PettingZoo™. The GreenBox™ is an annual subscription service for those interested in receiving samples of current trends to evoke inspiration, perfect for companies to see and compare what everyone else is doing, or where they are headed. The Material NutritionLabel™, similar to its food-item counterpart, tells consumers how green a product is, why it’s green and what the company is doing to power it (pictured below). The Materials PettingZoo™ is their sample set-up used for events and gatherings, such as conferences.
Visit ecolect.com to search, explore, and connect.
Images courtesy of ecolect.com
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Discussion Take a look at what is being said about this article.
Will, on March 25th, 2009 says:
Hey, cool post, thanks!
Red91, on October 22nd, 2009 says:
August 2008 at 8:16 pm It just goes to show you how this magazine does business. ,
SouthWind93, on October 23rd, 2009 says:
Could it be that the affects of Food Inc. ,