12 August 2008

Eco Epiphany

Have you ever put bananas into a plastic bag? It may not seem like the worst environmental crime, but this simple act led Ben Anderson and his partner Sarah to create the online store Eco Depot.

When food shopping back in 1995 Ben Anderson had a banana epiphany – why put the fruit, already naturally sealed in their own skin, into a plastic bag?

This realisation led Anderson and his partner Sarah to develop Eco Depot – an online store committed to providing ecologically and environmentally sustainable products. Since then they have been building their reputation as the place to shop for rare and quirky eco-friendly products.

“Most of our products are created by artists who simply cannot make thousands of their items and we love that. It gives their creations extra value in this world of mass produced items,” Anderson says.

Offering everything from bamboo tableware to wallets made from old car upholstery, Eco Depot products have an emphasis on recycled and reclaimed materials that don’t compromise on design.

“I think that any designers that are not trying to work towards environmentally responsible production are in for a rude shock,” Anderson warns. “When designers look at the bigger picture and incorporate eco principles in their work it truly lends a depth to their creations and gives them a soul.”

www.ecodepot.com.au