You often see those symbols on plastics. Sadly, it is easy to misinterpret them. It happened to me the other day when I bought the eiPott egg cups. Buying dishwasher safe tableware is a must for me. Therefore, I am a little bit disappointed of my purchase.

People often confuse the cup and fork symbol for the dishwasher safe symbol. The thing is that there is not universally approved symbol for dishwasher safe. The cup and fork means that the material is safe for food use.

It is strange that this area of the food industry has no standards. The use of symbol on products eliminate the need for language translation. Sometimes, the instructions are written on the packaging but not on the item. Do the brands expect us to recall the product care for every item we purchased. In fact, I only bought dishwasher safe tableware to not have to remember which one is safe, which one is not.

I hope this will help you make good purchase decisions.

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To answer a reader request, I searched for more sources of Koziol. This time I searched in Canada.

I told you this week that was harder to find retailers in North America for Koziol.  A sad thing!

A Confirmed Retailer in Montreal

I am happy to report that a small retailer in Montreal carries many Koziol products. Chez Farfelu Maison just received a new shipment of cool kitchen and bathroom accessories.

Missing Opportunities

As many small retailers in Quebec, Chez Farfelu Maison does not have a Web site. Specialized independent retailers often carry unique stuff but the lack of a well documented Web site makes the task of finding them a lot harder. I made 7 phone calls to dig one retailer that carries Koziol.

I think that retailers are missing on a great opportunity. With the current trend towards fun and colorful housewares and interior design, this should create a demand for Koziol products. A design that might not have exists in the past. Moreover, Koziol products are affordable for the masses.

I just sent an email to the Canadian distributor. I hope to get news soon It was quick (15 minutes in a Sunday afternoon, I should have checked back my email before posting). Diana Arn suggested Chez Farfelu Maison and Crash.

Update: Paulla Maxey of Crash contacted me. She told that they carry a fairly extensive inventory in Koziol and review the line continually for updates.

I dug so far three Canadian retailers:

Farfelu Maison (Chez)
p 514.528.8842 – 838 Avenue Du Mont-Royal Est, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H2J 1X1

CRASH
p 604.684.9922 – Unit 7 at 1551 Johnston Street, Vancouver, Canada, V6H 3R9
open daily 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m

• I found a store on eBay Canada Your New Gift with a few items. Unfortunately the coolest products I presented to you are not in the inventory except for the Pic Up.

I keep you posted on as I discover new sources.

April 29th, 2008 Update: Diana Arn also sent me retailers for Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary.

• Toronto
  Dana Jordan, William Ashley, Ma Zone Home Décor, Studio Brilliantine on Queen Street West, Rolo, The Peppermill
• Vancouver
  Besides Crash, you can find Koziol at Cookworks, Motiv and Industrial Revolution
• Calgary
  Reids and Kilian International Design

RELATED POST:
+ Bring Happiness in Your Kitchen with Koziol

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Umbra is announcing the launch of their stylish eco-friendly collection designs. Their effort concentrates on the materials used to manufacture their products. It is a step on the right direction.

Giving a Second Life to Paper

Adin Mumma created from stacked reprocessed paper and recyclable paper board frame the Pulp Bulletin Board. The result is a unique yet practical bulletin board for your home office or the kitchen message center.

Degradable Plastic Trash Cans

Once in the landfill, the new manufactured Umbra trash cans will break down 10 times faster than regular plastic. It would be marvelous when the degradable plastic that biodegrades in 20 years instead of 200 become the norm. Until then, we have to start looking at companies that are making an effort.

At $8.50 per Garbino Can, it does not cost more to be eco-friendly. In the late 1990, I bought a few Garbino cans designed by Karim Rashid. I still like them. The Artala Cans designed by Joshua Davis/David Quan are amusing with their cool printed designs.

Eco-friendly Wood

Relaxing in our bath is one of the delightful pleasures in life. Made of bamboo, Aquala Bathtub Caddy has a built-in wine glass holder and fold-away book support.

The Rama Frame series is made of plantation grown wood. The green idea is to not destroy more wild life and their natural habitat to admire our pictures.

Sourcing:
Buy online: Pulp Bulletin Board by Umbra – price: $47.50 CAD
Buy online: Aquala Bathtub Caddy by Umbra – price: $47.50 CAD
Buy online: Rama frame by Umbra – price: $19 CAD
Buy online: Garbino Can by Umbra – price: $8.50 CAD
Buy online: Artala Can by Umbra – price: $18 CAD

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