DesignTex have developed a line of compostable upholstery fabrics. DesignTex approached McDonough with the idea of using yarn from recycled plastic. But McDonough insisted on natural fibers that can return to earth when the fabric wears out. Another challenge was to find nontoxic dyes. With the help of European chemical giant Ciba-Geigy, Braungart identified 16 brilliant colors with no carcinogens, bioaccumulatives, or mutagens.
Grindstone plans to launch a national inventory database of recycled materials on the Internet.
Randazzo Enterprises of Castroville, California sells plumbing fixtures, lumber, hardware, and bricks to contractors and farmers. BioCycle, July 1995, p. 39, by Dennis Fukai. Architectural Salvage of North Vancouver, British Columbia is currently dismantling four of seven Yarrows shipyard buildings in North Vancouver, recycling everything from heavy timbers to kitchen sinks. EcoDesign, July 1995, p. 5. One could easily drive by the Autonomous and Sustainable House in northwest Calgary, Alberta and never notice how innovative it is.