Here is why.  We make them from one piece of board flexing a hinge directly into that board.  This eliminates the weakest spot on the binders you have now.  This is especially useful if you are building our eco friendly 11 x 17 3-ring binder.  The front panels are HUGE!  the weight is greater and also, because of the theory of the lever, the pressure on the hinge is much greater.

Generally, binders are made with three pieces of board help together by a piece of cloth, a bit of vinyl or paper.  Cheaper and easier to make, yes.  And a horribly weak binder.

So, here is how we build a 11 x 17 3-Ring binder.  First we take the sheets of our 100% post consumer board, in this case spine wrapped already. This feeds into a flexing machine which stamps the hinge into the board.  Pressure, blade thickness and spacing the spine flexes are all pre-configured through long research.

When the board comes out the other side, the hinge is already in the board, and the binder is born.

Naked Binder makes the strongest, most sustainable and eco friendly 3-ring binders we can.  As of yet, we have found no one who can match them.  We are cosntantly pushing forward to eliminate waste, make the binders stronger, longer lasting and more useful.  Our 11 x 17 binders are just one example of how we strive to solve problems most people have not even thought of.  Stronger. Elegant.  Recycled. Eco Friendly.  Naked Binder makes the best binders and at reasonable prices.  Check us out!

Naked Binder was started with the intent of creating a series of stronger, better designed and working and safer office products.  We do not believe that adding even small amounts of toxins into your home or office is OK, especially since almost all the products in your home and office can be a "little" toxic. The more you know, the better you can control what is in your personal environment and push to make everything a little safer.

Why Can't PVC be effectively Recycled?

PVC is a combination of plastic and chlorine along with a host of toxic additives that help soften and stabilize it.  These additives make it hard to recycle as they have a tendency to contaminate the recycling batches.

More from the EPA: "The amount of post-consumer PET being recycled in the United States and Europe is constantly increasing. Today, about 23% of all PET is recycled. As the demand for post-consumer PET increases, so does the demand to produce it better and less expensively. The most detrimental contaminate to post-consumer PET is PVC. NRT has developed and marked whole bottle PVC separation systems for over three years. While this product has greatly reduced the PVC contamination levels from whole bottles or large pieces, tramp sources of PVC are still present in the PET regrind. PET processors are now required to produce material with less than 50 ppm PVC. Therefore, they require a secondary separation system or at least an online quality control system to meet their customer's needs. This Phase II proposals seeks to build upon several methods developed during Phase I which proved to technically feasible for PVC flake detection."

Is it really that bad?

Studies have shown plasticizers such as phthalates have migrated out of PVC consumer products, exposing people to toxic additives linked to reproductive defects and other health problems. It’s dangerous throughout its entire life cycle of production, use and disposal. When produced or burned, it releases dioxins, which are the most potent synthetic chemicals ever tested and can cause cancer and harm the immune and reproductive systems.

Since most of the approximatley 4 billion pounds of PVCs produced each year end up in landfills and the US alone has about 8400 landfill fires each year, a lot of dioxins are being produced and inhaled by you, your children and loved ones.

So what can I use instead?

There are many safer alternatives to PVC, such as a plastic without chlorine called PET that’s commonly used in recyclable milk cartons and soda bottles.

Naked Binder offers a stronger and non-toxic alternative to vinyl binders and folders.  We list our materials, and information about our 3-ring binders and pocket folders

Many large manufacturers are eliminating PVC from their cars, computers, health care systems, shoes, building materials, cabling, consumer products and packaging, electronics and toys.  For a list of companies working to eliminate PVC you can go here.

For more information on PVCs and your health, you can go to to CHEJ or to the EPA page

What you need to know is ring size, ring shape and paper size.  In the US, the standard paper size is 8.5" x 11".  This is not true in the rest of the world, so when buying binders for friends and relatives abroad look up their standard sizes.

A D-Ring (as seen below) hold more paper than a O-Ring, in part because the paper sits flat on the D side of the ring.  We use D-rings because they are more efficient and require less over-all space to store the same amount of paper.

Sizing 3-ring Eco Binders is easy if you have a little information.

Naked Binder offers four different ring sizes

1" D-ring holds up to 220 sheets of paper, 25 to a case

1.5" D-ring holds up to 350 sheets of paper, 18 to a case

2" D-ring holds up to 450 sheets of paper, 15 to a case

2.5" D-ring holds up to 550 sheets of paper, 12 to a case

How do you measure a ring size?

The flat side of a D-ring is part you measure when figuring out ring size.  If you are currently using a round ring, you measure the diameter from top to bottom.

The GAO's report highlights the pitfalls of even well acknowledged programs.

This is not to say that all Energy Star rated products are lying, but it may make you step back a bit and evaluate the claims manufacturers are making.

This is not the only certification to have trouble. The FSC (and Naked Binder is FSC certified) allows loggin of old growth forests.  Since our 3-ring binders and pocket folders are mostly 100% post consumer waste, we are not contributing to this.

Be careful, do research and enter the world of green products with eyes open.  Generally, people are on the up and up, but there are always bad apples.

Naked Binder has an answer for you.

The Naked Pocket Folders are an elegant 100% post consumer waste and 100% recyclable pocket folder.  Clean and architectural in design, warm and personal in feel and color these pocket folders offer you the room to be yourself in the midst of million of cloned folders.  With three folder designs and a cd package you have options to choose from.

We offer labels to customize your pocket folders as you need them.  You could buy 5000 printed folders, but each proposal, estimate and design can have it's own unique information.  Our labels al print full bleed  so you can design to the edge.

Next time you have a proposal to send out, make a statement with a recycled and recyclable pocket folder.  People will notice.

So who can you trust? 

Generally, certifications that require third person verification are best. FSC, Cradle-to-Cradle, and Green Seal are all examples of certifications that require verification. How much and how stringent these certifications are depends on who you pick.

Companies often have good intentions, but either lack resources (time, people and money) or don't want to allocate resources to certifications.  This means the really stringent certifications often get skipped in favor of easier and less time and money intensive certifications.  Lets face it, and FSC audit can take 3-4 days of someones time, not to mention the constant work of researching products, keeping a warehouse properly organized and tracking shipments.

This leaves the door open for a lot of 'green-lite' labels, or even self labeling (make up a logo, stick on your website and voila! a logo on your website that might fool someone into thinking you have done something).

Finding good providers.

One good place to start is the Responsible Purchasing Network. This is an organization dedicated to helping people find socially nd environmentally sustainable products.  they have purchasing guides and other publications which can help you in your quest to find the best sustainable products.

If you have a certification you trust, or a cause you support, find them and go to that site and see who is on their lists. 1% for the Planet  or Rainforest Action Network are organizations that support specific environmental actions and may be helpful in pointing you in the right direction.

Research.

Define what it is you are looking for first.  You want closer (with in 500 miles of you business or home), recycled content (post consumer waste or recycled - what percentage is enough?), socially conscious (fair trade, fair wage), low carbon foot print ( how far around the world has it traveled, what is involved in creating and disposing of this product).... You need to be clear about what you are looking for in order to find it.

If you haven't heard of a certification, look it up.  Many are not that stringent, some are outright ridiculous, some are excellent.

Example.

We will use our own company, Naked Binder, as an example.  We started in order to fill what we perceived as a need and an injustice.

premise:  Office supplies are toxic and unrecyclable.  This is backed up by the 40-60 million vinyl binders disposed of every year in the US alone which are basically unrecyclable (no programs exist to get your vinyl waste even if you spend the time to separate the binder parts).  We hear of LEED certified buildings failing their air tests due to office supplies and the EPA claims air in offices is up to 10 times worse than the air outside.

Goal:  Create a series of truely sustainable office products - in our case 3-ring binders, folders and tab sets that are well designed (last longer, work better, look good), and sustainable (100% post consumer waste, 100% recyclable). Also, all the employees here are avid outdoor lovers and we wanted to find a way to help insure open spaces and wilderness will continue and thrive.

Reality:  We are closer every day to our goal. 

We have had our binders tested to 250,000 flexes making these the strongest 3-ring binder available.  They look great (aw, mom...) and work well.  The board is 100% post consumer waste, FSC certified binders board. Our pocket folders are 97% post consumer waste and FSC certified.  Our current tab dividers are 30% post consumer waste and Green Seal certified from a Green-E company. Our 3-ring binders and folders are FSC certified and we are members of 1% for the Planet, donating to protect wild spaces and wilderness areas.

We use post manufacturing waste from a plant in our building for packing materials.  All of it is 100% recyclable.

Where we are going.  As a young company, we haven't analyzed our carbon foot print adequately. This is a goal of ours.  We know we can do better, we just need to find out where. We are moving our tab sets to a FSC certified 100% post consumer waste stock. We are working to find sources of organic cottons and alternative (more sustainable) fabrics.  We are looking at each product to see what can be done better, what would make it more useful and what would make it more sustainable.

We are looking into certifications that would help us identify and clarify where we have more room for growth in our resposible manufacturing and product goals.  

Future: Naked Binder wants to be the standard to which all office supplies are held. Better, greener, pro-active and more fun to use.

People talk of architects in hushed voices, graphic designers are seen as hip and edgy. Who stands up for the Interior designer?

Naked Binder wants to say thanks for all the hard work in creating spaces that effortlessly hang together, are comfortable, inviting and useful. Thanks for every office where things are actually in a place they can be used.

Thanks for 'correcting' the color issues of the previous guy who loved all the wrong colors.

We have started a page just for you to help you find what you need for your clients, your spaces and your designs. Naked Binder specializes in well designed, eco friendly office products, 3-ring binders and pockt folders that can help finish out your spaces before someone slaps a wall of VOC spewing vinyl binders in.

Thanks all you Interior Designers.  People are watching and appreciating.

There is one place you can turn for FSC certified and sustainable office products like 3-ring binders, CD holders and pocket folders. Naked Binder.

Crafted from 100% post consumer waste board, our presentation folders are FSC certified, recycled and recyclable.  Customizable through our labeling system, these pocket folders can enhance any presentation - reinforcing your image as an environmentally concerned company.

"Sustainability performance is fundamental for business success in the 21st century," Ceres President Mindy S. Lubber, said in a statement. "If businesses deepen their efforts to solve social and environmental threats, it will position them to innovate and compete in the fast-changing, resource-constrained global economy. It is no longer enough for companies to have special projects or initiatives. Comprehensive sustainability strategies are expected."

Naked Binder understands sustainable practices in the workplace and at home are a constant struggle between ideals and the bottom line.  Our recycled pocket folders, CD holders and 3-ring binders are economical and long lasting, saving you twice in the long run.

If you creating the interior design for a space be it a home, office or whole company, you have the option of offering beautiful green office supplies which are not only eco friendly and good looking, but that last longer, save money and even count towards LEED credits.

The benefits of using eco friendly recycled 3-ring binders from Naked Binder:

1. Options.  With 9 colors, 5 styles, 4 ring sizes and 2 spine shapes you have a lot of options to match anything you might want.

2. Non-toxic.  Keep the air inside the home or office cleaner. Vinyls off gas adding to your VOC problems

3. Better.  Naked Binders have been tested to 250,000 flexes without failing. We use the best materials to insure they work better for longer.

4. Economical. Already competatively priced, Naked Binders last longer and are something you want to keep. Save a lot of money replacing the disposable alternatives.

5. Sustainble.  Naked Binders can count towards your LEED credits, CA Law eco pledge, Corporate Responsibility statements or your ideals. We use 100% FSC certified post consumer board.  Our binders are 100% easily recyclable.

Interior design is all about details, small touches that shine and atmosphere.  Using a well designed eco friendly 3-ring binder can help add to those points and finish a space in style.

Top Ten Reasons Naked Binders 3-Ring Binders are A Great Choice:

Stronger.

Works Better.

Won't harm the air you breath.

Won't end up in a landfill.

No trees were hurt to make a Naked Binder.

Lasts a lot longer.

224 choices of binders.

They look  and feel good.

FSC certified.

We donate part of out sales to saving wilderness and wild spaces.

Sometimes, we feel a bit insulated from our customers.  My last job was running a climbing gym in the San Francisco Bay Area (one of the awesome Touchstone gyms) and I heard everything directly from the people I worked for/with.  I like it like that.  Climbers had issues, I knew them.  Climbers like something, I knew that.  It is a great feedback loop.

Making even the strongest, most environmentally friendly 3-ring binders on the planet doesn't gaurentee that same level of feedback that I prefer, so I am always happy to hear what people are saying.

Today, two fine comments:

I just wanted to let you know that we absolutely love the Classic Naked Binders that we ordered.  As you can see by our logo, the chili pepper and black combination works well with our colors and name.  I was surprised that the cost per binder actually works out to be less expensive than ordering vinyl binders and obviously they are far better for the environment.  I am so glad that I can finally end my search for a good quality and nice looking environmentally friendly binder.

As the binders will be used for distribution to our clients I will be adding a statement, probably on a label, regarding our efforts to help save the planet and will definitely include the Naked Binder name as a reference.

Thanks again,

Janice

 Executive Assistant,  Blackstone Partners   (3-11-10)

Dear Naked Binder Team or Tribe,

Thanks for the quick delivery.  Most Importantly, thank you for creating a very beautiful binder.  I'm using these to organize my financial planner course notes and already feel inspired by having the array of binders in my office. Your binders are stylish, well crafted, green and highly recommendable.  Best wishes  Jonathon (1-19-10)

The Tribe says "Thanks!" to everyone who writes, calls, emails or otherwise lets us know what they are thinking, how they are using our binders, and sends photos on how they have decorated them. You all make our day!

Think again.

While you can get those still, the world of recycled eco friendly binders has changed.

Naked Binder crafts recycled and recyclable 3-ring binders from FSC certified 100% post consumer waste board. All of our binders are 100% recyclable.

We designed them with a full life cycle in mind.  From 100% post consumer waste to a well designed binder back to the recycling cycle.  There is no waste, and it is easy to do.

Recycled 3-ring binders don't have to be throw away feel good binders.  Naked Binder designed our bare board binders to last ten years, and then tested them to last 34 years.  We had the hinge (usually the weakest spot on a binder) tested to 250,000 flexes without fail. That is 34 years if you use the binder 20 tiems a day everyday.

Available in 9 colors, 5 styles, 4 ring sizes and 2 spine styles, Naked Binder has a binder for every need. Plus, most orders ship next day.

Pricing is roughly the same as other binders on the market, much lower in some cases.  With the longevity and the economical pricing you can save a lot of money on binders you are currently replacing once or twice a year.

Recycled 3-ring binders have come into their own.  Try one and you will never go back.

Corporate Responsibility.  To many this seems like something that vanished - or maybe never existed. There are a few companies that stand out.

One of our favorites is Patagonia.  Started in a shed making climbing gear, Patagonia evolved into a large company keeping the dreams of the founder, Yvon Chouinard firmly in the corporate fabric.  They support many environmental causes and started 1% for the Planet, a way of encouraging other companies to do the same. They are up front with the footprint of their clothes in traveling and construction.

Corporate responsibility extends to the social, ethical and environmental views and actions of the company.

At Naked Binder we are trying to do our part. 

Our 3-ring binders and folders are made paying fair wages and we offer health care.  They are made in Des Moines, IA where our parent company, Library Binding Service has been since the 1930s.

We support the local schools (and some less local), donating 3-ring binders for kids who need them.  We had so many requests last year, we donated pallets of binders out at a time.

Naked Binder was formed with the intention of making the best, most sustainable 3-ring binder on the planet.  We constantly strive to find ways to cut waste and the footprint of our binders. We've switched to an FSC certified 100% post consumer waste board, simplified our process.  We are constantly striving to do better.

Our passions are in the outdoors.  Climbing, hiking, paddling, running, walking and restoring.  Naked Binder has tasked itself to work toward leaving no trace.  We are cutting down our footprint and offering others a way to cut theirs. While not entirely without trace, compared to vinyl binders, our recycled and recyclable 3-ring binders are a walk in the park.

If you are a LEED certified building, you have to have a Sustainable Purchasing Policy put in place to "To reduce the environmental and air quality impacts of the materials acquired for use in the operations and maintenance of buildings."and  "To facilitate the reduction of ongoing waste and toxins generated by building occupants and building operations that are hauled to and disposed of in landfills or incineration facilities."

For Sustainable Purchasing Policy for ongoing consumables the guidelines are

• Purchases contain at least 10% postconsumer and/or 20% postindustrial material.
• Purchases contain at least 50% rapidly renewable materials.
• Purchases contain at least 50% materials harvested and processed or extracted and processed within 500 miles of the project. (map)
• Purchases consist of at least 50% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)–certified paper products.
• Batteries are rechargeable.

Your Solid waste management policy has to cover ongoing consumables. The guidelines that pertain to Naked Binder are:

• Reuse, recycle or compost 50% of the ongoing consumables waste stream (by weight or volume).

Naked Binders makes FSC certified bare board 3-ring binders and folders which are 97-100% Post Consumer Waste and 100% recycled, We are based in Des Moines IA and manufacture here. Naked Binder is a 100% recyclable 3-ring binder. Easily recyclable in about 9 seconds.

Each purchase can receive credit for each sustainable criterion met (i.e., a $100 purchase that contains both 10% post consumer recycled content and 50% FSC certified counts twice in the calculation, for a total of $200 of sustainable purchasing). Your Naked Binder purchases can count twice or three times to your LEED Certification.

If you are using vinyl binders, they do not count towards these credits and you are jeapardizing the air quality of your building.

Of the 40-60 million pounds of waste these binders create (created to be disposable, they just don't last), that leaves about 5-7 million pounds of vinyl, something that will not break down in nature. Luckily, we are informed it is recyclable otherwise we would have one big and growing problem.

non) Recycling

The multitudes of additives required to make PVC useful make large scale post consumer recycling nearly impossible for most products and interfere with the recycling of other plastics. Of an estimated 7 billion pounds of PVC thrown away in the US, only 14 million - less than 1/2 of 1 percent - is recycled. The Association of Post Consumer Plastics Recyclers declared efforts to recycle PVC a failure and labeled it a contaminant in 1998.

Although vinyl is in theory recyclable, there are currently no vinyl recycling programs available.  The vast majority of PVCs end up in landfill or incinerated - and both are environmentally hazardous. Currently 0.1% to 3% of vinyl is recycled (mostly industrial waste) of the PVC that is discarded in the US every year.

Oops. Well hopefully it won't burn because that would release a lot of toxic fumes...

Fire dangers

PVC poses a great risk in building fires, as it releases deadly gases long before it ignites, such as hydrogen chloride which turns to hydrochloric acid when inhaled. As it burns, whether accidentally or in waste incineration, it releases yet more toxic dioxins. PVC burning in landfill fires may now be the single largest source of dioxin releases to the environment. If you see the former entry about recycling, with the approximately 8400 landfill fires every year in the US, this is an issue.

All of a sudden the price you are really paying for that $4 binder is pretty high in municipal costs, fire-fighters and health care for those affected by the fumes, creation and wastes of the industry.

You have options.  Naked Binder is one of those options. Naked Binder offers a series of 100% post-consumer waste binders board, eco friendly 3-ring binders that last for years (buy less) and are fully recyclable (no landfill). We use no toxins, no vinyl and no plastics.  You can have a healthier office and environment, not to mention a much better working and looking 3-ring binder.  

Don't settle for a cheap binder that costs you a lot in other ways, save money and have a recycled and recyclable 3-ring binder that is also the strongest 3-ring binder on the planet.

Vinyl binders, plastics, carpets and a lot of office furniture out gasses some pretty toxic stuff including formaldehyde and PVCs. LEED certified buildings have failed their safe air tests for volitile organic compounds because of the office supplies brought into a well designed safe building.

If you are going to spend time in this environment, maybe it is time to look at what you can do to make it safer, work better, more  enjoyable and even look better.

Eliminating vinyl binders is a first and easy step.  What you are getting rid of is toxic to make, toxic to use and nearly impossible to get recycle. (go here for more information on PVCs  and here for problems in recycling a vinyl binder). Even worse, they fall apart due to the three piece construction.  So now you have a toxic and useless thing in your office.

Naked Binder offers a full line of eco friendly 3-ring binders.  Easily customized with labels ( for information on labels and other custom 3-ring binder options go here), with 9 colors, 5 styles, 4 ring sizes and 2 spines shapes you can find exactly what you need when you need it. Our binders are FSC certified and made with 100% post consumer waste binders board. They have been strength tested to insane degrees and will not break.

Our sustainable office supplies don't stop there.  100% recyclable pocket folders, eco friendly tab sets and sustainable cd packaging can help round out everything you need.

 When greening your law firm you have a lot of things to pay attention to.  Whether you are working to meet the standards of the State Bar of California Lawyers Eco-Pledge or the ABA Law Office Climate Challenge or on a sustainability plan of your own, Naked Binder can help.  For one thing, we read these pledges.

How we fit into the State Bar of California Lawyers Eco-pledge:

• Using 100% post consumer, chlorine free recycled paper.
• Eliminate Disposables - most vinyl binders fall apart quickly with even moderate use.  Naked Binders are designed to last ten years and tested to 250,000 flexes with out fail.
• Re-Use equipment and supples - because of their longevity, Naked Binders 3-ring binders can be used for multiple cases with no problem.
• Reduce Toxic Chemicals - Vinyl has been taken out of most cars and children's toys for a reason.  It is toxic.
• Purchase Sustainable Products: as an FSC certified 100% post consumer product designed to last, and 100% recyclable, Naked Binders and Pocket Folders are among the most sustainable products on the market.
• Use Sustainable Service Providers.  Naked Binder has been sustainable from day one. Even If you want a custom printed binder, our sister company Corporate Image is an FSC certified printer using soy inks.
• Recycle. Our binders are 100% recyclable, and easily so.
  

How we fit into the

If you have questions about other programs or want more information about our eco friendly, sustainable 3-ring binders as to how we can help you meet your Corporate Social Responsibility or Sustainability goals, we can help.

Naked Pocket folders offer you a choice.

Simple, elemental and 97% post consumer waste, Naked Pocket Folders will show your sense of design, economy and environment.

Easily customized for proposals, around the office or at design school, these pocket folders are strong, beautiful and eco friendly.  The 100% recycled 97% post consumer waste paper board folders and cd packages have a smooth clean look with a paper not available anywhere else. With business card cuts in the pocket folders and both business card cuts and a cd cut on the Binder Pocket, These pocket folders will help you both look and be sustainable and ahead of the curve.

Whether you are a LEED certified company working to maintain your points, a company fulfiling your CSR, or a person who just cares about design and the environment, Naked pocket folders will not disapoint.

They contacted us looking for strong 3-ring binders, since their old ones always fell apart.

Our new binders are looking good in front on the demolished remnants of their previous binders.  Naked Binders are getting 2 months of action to see how they hold up to the fire crews. Let the games begin! We have also offered them to a Contra Costa crew in California. It may be a race to out "test" the binders.

Until then, they are riding in style.

When you order the label sheets you can also download a template for your artwork.

Add your artwork to the template.  All of the labels on our site offer print to edge capabilities, meaning you can have full color artwork on each label.

We choose to use a photo that we took late at night with a long exposure.  It was simple enough and tied the labels together.  We needed labels anyway so we made these.

After you print them, You can just peel off a label...

And Adhere it to the spine of your binder.

In this case it would hae been better to go from the top down, as the classic binder has a subtle debossed line to help line up your labels.

Tools You Need:

Flat head (standard) Screwdriver.

9 seconds.

 Recycling a Vinyl Binder is harder.

First, pop out the ring, just as you saw above.

Next take a knife and cut open the vinyl about a half inch from the edge of each panel and on the spine. You will probably need to split the vinyl on at least two sides of each panel to remove the chipboard panels inside.

Now that you have the components, the board can go in the paper recycling, the metal in the metal recycling and the vinyl?  Now there is a good question.  time to get on the phone to find out if your city/county/state has vinyl recycling capabilities.  If not, you may need to send the vinyl scraps out of state to a place that does recycle vinyl.

If you have 6 binders, this is a pain, takes about 30 minutes, a couple dollars in postage and a bit of research.  If you are a corporation with 10,000 binders, this is more serious. Besides the time to seperate each component,  Landfills consider vinyl a toxic asset in large quantities.  The 3,000 pounds of vinyl you have will need to be shipped or stored indefinitely.

In these cases, the per binder cost sky rockets. Including labor, storage and shipping (along with short life and toxicity) into the binder price may convince you that the initial cost savings were not worth it.

Here is a thought. Some papers you need to be able to find, others you might like to find while still others you have no reason why you kept them in the first place.

Take a box ( or two) and separate it into like piles: tax documents, car documents, kids pictures, letters from X, articles I keep meaning to read, recipes I keep meaning to make.... You get the idea.  No getting rid of them yet.  Just sort them out.

Now take a pile. Start with things that may be easier for you to sort through.  Say, tax documents. Go through the pile, eliminate things you don't actually need.  Take the resulting pile of organized material, clip it into a 3-ring binder.

Repeat, until done.

Going through smaller piles of material allows you do finish a task in a reasonable period of time and is a LOT less daunting.  The 3-ring binders allow you to a) find things again at a later date and b) avoid starting new piles of paper because it is so easy to add to the binder.

But who wants a wall of ugly, toxic black vinyl binders in their house? Not me. But this is the 21st century and you have options.  Check out Naked Binder's 3-Ring Project Binders. 100% recycled and recyclable, stronger that an ox, and they come in 9 colors, 4 ring sizes and 2 spine shapes.  All of a sudden your organizing becomes an art project.

Now you can get a 3-ring binder that is well designed, eco friendly and strong enough to last  for the next ten years. These binders look good, work well and have been tested to 250,000 flexes by an independent laboratory. We've even run them through dishwashers and they still work.

So what are we offering.  The best 3-ring binder you can buy.

2 paper sizes, 4 ring sizes, 5 styles, 9 colors. All eco Friendly, most FSC certified, all stronger better looking and more sustainable than the rest.

You can save money buying less, add joy of color to your home or office and easily recycle it when you are done 10 years from now.

From recycling all their paper, to generating less paper, and energy efficient offices. The next step, and we are here to help, is to use a non-toxic recyclable 3-ring binder instead of the walls of vinyl.

classic binder, natural

Naked binder offers 5 styles of 3-ring binder, all eco friendly, FSC certified and ready to roll.  

We know law firms use a lot of paper, so our 2" and 2.5" ring binders (450 sheets and 550 sheets respectively) have the best locking three ring mechanism available. If you drop one of these binders striding into the courtroom, it will stay shut.

Law firms also have reputations to uphold.  You may not want your clients see you with a 'Hello Kitty' binder. We offer a range of sophisticated binders from the bare board Naked Binder, to the Classic binder - wrapped in a black paper with a 100% cotton spine wrap.

Clockwise from upper Left:  Naked Binder, Project Binder, Classic Binder, Wrapped Binder

Our easy labeling system cuts out the need to delicately feed labels into vinyl pockets on the spines of binders.  Print, adhere and go. To change it, remove the label from the spine and replace it, or just cover it up with the new label.

Having trouble deciding on the right size 3-ring binder for you?  We have the information to help you.

Easy online ordering or call an order in, discounts by the case and for larger orders.

Most are cheaply made, or insanely priced. Laminated?  Crazy colors?

What about a 100% recycled eco friendly pocket folder made in the US? Simple, yet elegent.  Well made, well designed and reasonably priced.

Check out Naked Pocket Folders.

Made from FSC certified 100% recycled board (97% post consumer waste), these folders are strong, elegant and easily customizable with out labeling system.

Forget the plastic, cheap and toxic alternatives.  Get a eco freindly well designed Naked Pocket Folder!

Valentines day is a day for romantic gestures. A time to show flair, originality and insight into your loved ones true desires.

Flowers, candy all too trite.  Been there, done that. And lets face it, you could give those flowers to anyone - it isn't personal enough.

But a 3 ring binder, now that speaks of love. Not just any binder mind you, pick the color that matches their eyes or their favorite sweater.  Pick a binder that is so environmentally friendly that you could plant it in your garden (well, pop those rings out first - those won't help the roses), so safe you could let your 2 year old chew on it (please don't let them do that with vinyl).

So this is a good start.  Now pour out your heart  and put it in the binder.  Where do you want to go together?  where ahve you been?  Favorite pictures, lists of things you love about them - all this and more.  Draw on the bare board binders - customize them to your heart's content.

With a little flair and thought - a 3 ring eco friendly binder can be the most romantic gift he/she has ever gotten. Don't over look the unique options - they might just be what you have been looking for.

And for you, all Naked Binders are 15% off this week.  A sale for love.

You could of course fill it with love letters, love poems, pictures of your life together, or places you might go. Naked Binders are sexy and sweet, but some of the work has to come from your end.

Naked Binder is doing our part to promote love by having a sale all week from February 8 - February 14th.

So do the right thing for your sweetie, and don't let your loved ones use vinyl.

Your average binder will fall apart under moderate use and have to be taped together with in a few months. The cover falls off - which means the hinge has failed.  The reason for this is that the strongest part of the binder - the board- does not continue through the hinge.  This leaves a small amount of vinyl or a piece of cloth is holding your whole binder together. Oops.

The Naked Binder is made from one piece of board.  We press the hinge directly into the 110pt binders board (100% post consumer waste). This leaves no weak spots on the binder (seen here on the bare board Naked Binder)

This translates to a kind of super binder status.  We had an independent laboratory flex these binders 250,000 times with out fail. If you use this binder for 34 years, 20 times a day you still will not break the hinge.

The hinge on a Naked Binder will not fail in regular use. We Guarantee it. 

Strength in the face of Water:

Our binders are made from 100% post consumer waste paper board.  Will they absorb water? Yes.  Will they fall apart? No.  How do we know? Well we started small.

First we left them out in the rain. First for 3 hours, then for two days.  They dried out flat and worked fine. So we put them through a dishwasher. Still no problems and still in use. Lets face it, if your binder gets that wet, the papers inside are already ruined.  At least you can still use your binder when you re-print everything.

A Truly Sustainable Binder:

A sustainable binder is one that will conserve resources, work well for longer, look great and save you money.

• With Naked Binder, you are not replacing binders every few months, so you buy less. 
• 100% recyclable -Cut down your waste management issues (especially if you use a log of binders). 
• Non-toxic and so will not pollute the air in your home or office.
• Acid free - these will not harm your contents
• Better Looking - with5 styles, four ring sizes, two spine styles and nine colors there is a Naked Binder for every purpose.
• Add points toward your LEED certification

They save you money, last longer and are environmentally friendly. That is a sustainable 3-ring binder.

If you are not convinced about the dangers of PVC (poly vinyl chlorides), go to the The Campaign for Safe, Healthy Consumer Products. They list the studies, government regulations and other reasons to act now.

read about

• New Study: PVC Workers Exposed to High Levels of Phthalates
• Air Quality Is Now an Inside Job (The NY Times)
• PVC, the Poison Plastic – Unhealthy for Our Nation’s Children and Schools
• Our Health and PVC – What’s the Connection?
• PVC and Toxic Cleaning Products
• Top Ten Reasons Your School Should Go PVC-Free
• PVC & Environmental Justice
• PVC Policies Around the World

Learn and be amazed and appalled.  Work to do better for yourself and those around you.

If you show up with an eco friendly 11x17 binder, you are going to show well.  For one thing, your proposal won't get lost.  Made from 100% post-consumer waste board, recycled and recyclable the 11 x17 architect binder stands out in look and feel.

Easily customized with print to edge labels, you proposal can stand out in thoughtfulness, design,originality and style on top of your already great ideas.

11x17 tabloid sized binders. Eco friendly, recycled and unique.

Easily customized for proposals, around the office or at design school, these pocket folders are strong, beautiful and eco friendly.  The 100% recycled 97% post consumer waste paper board folders and cd packages have a smooth clean look with a paper not available anywhere else.

Whether you are a LEED certified company working to maintain your points, a company fulfiling your CSR, or a person who just cares about design and the environment, Naked pocket folders will not disapoint.

Naked Binder can help.  Our recycled sustainable 3-ring binders can be part of a number of credits. Today, we are going to talk about just two - but which add up to 10 points which is huge - that can be 12-25% of your certification depending on which one you are shooting for.

1> Sustainable Purchasing Policy and Solid Waste Management Policy. 

If you are a LEED certified building, you have to have a Sustainable Purchasing Policy put in place to "To reduce the environmental and air quality impacts of the materials acquired for use in the operations and maintenance of buildings."

Naked Binder offers FSC certified 3-ring binders and folders which are 97-100% Post Consumer Waste and 100% recycled, We are based in Des Moines IA and manufacture here, so if you are within 500 miles of our plant, the regional product clause also works.

Each purchase can receive credit for each sustainable criterion met (i.e., a $100 purchase that contains both 10% post consumer recycled content and 50% FSC certified counts twice in the calculation, for a total of $200 of sustainable purchasing). Your Naked Binder purchases can count twice or three times to your LEED Certification.

Your Solid waste management policy has to cover ongoing consumables.  If you are using vinyl binders, this stream is much higher (they fall apart quickly) and much more toxic.

2>Solid Waste Management Policy

This is put in place to "To facilitate the reduction of ongoing waste and toxins generated by building occupants and building operations that are hauled to and disposed of in landfills or incineration facilities." For LEED they want you to "Reuse, recycle or compost 50% of the ongoing consumables waste stream"

Naked Binder is a 100% recyclable 3-ring binder. Easily recyclable in about 9 seconds.

If you are on the committee for a LEED building, it is important to look at all the details. Especially if you have a high paper storage on site (law firm, architectural, accounting or bank...), Naked Binder can help you maintain the high standards of your business that help you stand out.

This seems to be one reason environmentalism is so disjointed. Those who stick to the science think the emotional members are clouding the issue and giving the movement a granola/crunchy easily dismissed name. 

Those with stronger emotional/spiritual focus think the science folks are a bit uptight and repressed and need to get out more.

The question is which one better represents the world as we know it?

The way I see it, The linear, absolute, truth aka facts the basis for sustained and lasting action.  By understanding the problems and causes we can start to, and hopefully succeed, in reversing or mitigating the effects mankind has had on the planet. 

It also makes a case for those whose have little emotional attachment to the earth: Money. While it will cost us a lot to address the years of dumping, tossing and polluting, it will cost more not to.  The 5 trillion dollar expected price tag to the US eastern seaboard alone if sea levels rise even a fraction of the predictions should motivate.  The health, food and water issues predicted will cost even more. So unless you believe that you are going to shuffle off your mortal coil soon and don't care what happens to your kids - this too can be a motivating argument.

On the other side are the arguments your kids bring to you and lets face it, they are right.  It is not fair. It is unjust.  It sucks.  The earth is this amazing, creative interconnected eco-system and we are ruining it.  How come they are never going to see a glacier in Glacier National Park? (will they change the name?)  The feeling of being connected to the earth is often lost in the rat race.  For those who stay connected to the beauty, power and wonder of nature, it is an overwhelming argument for doing everything in our power to save it. 

For those on the extreme sides of these arguments, they may never meet and perhaps will continue to annoy each other for ever.

As an avid back country enthusiast, I straddle these worlds.  I think it sucks that I stumble onto areas that were clear cut and not even logged.  Pollution, disregard for animals, plants, fish, and everything between is not a valid exchange for a few dollars.  I feel at home and connected in the high country in a way I never feel in the city. On the other hand I understand both the bottom line and the scientific arguments and directions.

Both of these views are right.  They frustrate each other, but think how they annoy the hell out of the non-believers who, lets face it, are burying their heads in the sand.  The science, the spiritual and the emotional arguments are all justifiable.  The science is clear enough to push business and government (or should be) and the emotional connection to the earth and the future should help convince others.

So now we all believe, get out and start doing something about it. Call the congress people and senators. Call the President, lobby businesses you frequent, clean up your own act.  No one can do this for you, so lets get our emotionally rationalist butts in gear.

Naked Binder is using a 100% post consumer waste board in their 3-ring binders.  This board is made up of curbside waste, office waste and other papers picked up in the recycling truck.  There is no virgin fiber in this board, and it is FSC certified.

First take a look at the binders. The board is clean gray, and unbleached. It has a richness in it that is not identifiable at first glance.

So we should look closer:

we start to see so specks of color and the texture of the board which gives it a nice feel in the hand.  The board is clean enough for the 100% recycled symbol to be sharp and read even at 5/8" of an inch.

Notice the fibers and the color specks.  Those overlapping fibers add strength to the board- holding together so that we can flex the board 250,000 times and it won't fail.  The color adds a richness that enhances the board even when you are standing farther away - subtle but very real.

The board we use in the Naked Binder not only enhances the sustainability of binder through being 100% post consumer waste, but adds a beauty and strength to our binders. 

If you want a truly sustainable 3-ring binder, recycled and recyclable and non toxic, this is the binder for you.

1.  Quality. 

• Stronger: We had an independent lab flex our Naked Binder 250,000 time to see if it would fail. Apparently, we didn't go far enough. You could use this binder 20 times a day for 34 years and still have a working binder.
• Well Crafted: We have been in bookbinding since the 1850's and making binders for over 25 years. While Naked Binder is the new kid at LBS, the knowledge, craft and attention to detail we offer is unparalleled.
• Dishwasher safe.  Wait what?  OK we don't recommend it, but we washed them in a dishwasher with soap and the dry cycle. Let them dry flat overnight and start using them again. Not good for your contents, but fun around the office.

2.  Materials.

• Most of our products are FSC certified (soon all will be).
• We use 100% recycled board which is 97-100% post consumer waste.  We have speced the cleanest and best made board in the industry. We use a 110pt board - which is one reason they are not disposable like other binders.
• 100% cotton book cloth:  Just like your books on the shelf, this book cloth is strong and 100% cotton. We are working towards less insecticide intensive sources - we will let you know as soon as we find the quality we demand.
• FSC and Green Seal certified papers. Our papers are held to the same standards as our board. Sustainable and high quality.
• Stainless steel rings: We use the best rings possible, especially in the larger sizes where you might have 550 sheets of paper in the binder.

3.  Made in the USA. 

• Less travel means less emmisions in transport, fair wages and health care for the people making the binders. We care about our people as well as the envirnment.

4. Environmentally Friendly

• Naked Binders are 100% recycled and 100% recyclable. Using recycled paper reduces water and energy use and reduces air pollution. 
• Less waste. Being easily recyclable means you won't be caught with a warehouse full of toxic vinyl you can't get rid of and you cut down on waste hauling costs and landfill costs.
• Members of 1% for the Planet - donating to preserve wilderness and wildspaces.

5. Guaranteed.

• If they don't work for you send them back. It is that simple.

6. Really Good Looking.

Try us on.

It is Wednesday January 20th and the midwest is having a lovely and severe ice storm today.

If you need an order overnighted today, be warned that there is a possibility that UPS will not be able to get it there.  The roads are like ice - wait! they are iced!  I couldn't even get out of my (altogether too steep) driveway today.

We will post photos for those of you in warmer or drier climes to enjoy, but can't guarantee that packages will get out on their regular schedules.

Please call if you absolutely need it and we will see what we can do to help.

Thanks!

The Elemental Bare Board Binder - Naked Binder

Eco Friendly 11 x 17 Architect Binder

Eco Friendly and colorful Project Binder

Elegant FSC certified Classic Binders

Sustainable and Adaptable Wrapped Binder

First, what am I talking about? Volatile Organic Compounds. from the EPA:

"Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors.  VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands. Examples include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.

Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products. Paints, varnishes, and wax all contain organic solvents, as do many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing, and hobby products. Fuels are made up of organic chemicals. All of these products can release organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are stored."

We have heard tell of LEED certified buildings failing their VOC test because of all the new office supplies brought in and unwrapped in the new building. Plastic pens, vinyl binders, markers... they add up.

Why should you worry? More from the EPA:

"Health Effects: Eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system. Some organics can cause cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans.  Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include conjunctival irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea, declines in serum cholinesterase levels, nausea, emesis, epistaxis, fatigue, dizziness.

The ability of organic chemicals to cause health effects varies greatly from those that are highly toxic, to those with no known health effect. As with other pollutants, the extent and nature of the health effect will depend on many factors including level of exposure and length of time exposed. Eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment are among the immediate symptoms that some people have experienced soon after exposure to some organics. At present, not much is known about what health effects occur from the levels of organics usually found in homes. Many organic compounds are known to cause cancer in animals; some are suspected of causing, or are known to cause, cancer in humans."

So what can you do? 

Look around your office. See the wall of vinyl binders?  Check the buckets of markers, pens, high liters and the placement of copiers, printers. 

If you can move the copiers and other machines to a better ventilated area away from most people that would help.

And we are going to say it even though it seems to be a shameless plug.  Get rid of the vinyl binder wall.  If you must use them until they fall apart (which shouldn't be long), put them in a well ventilated closed off room.  You have other options, options that will not out-gas and cause a list of health effects as long as your arm. Check us out here if you are looking to replace vinyl for an eco-friendly, recycled and recyclable binder that will last.

Be careful about your environment.  You do matter.

So how do you keep the momentum going and stick to your ideals?

Make it easy. Do the research once and have one person working on a single project.  Many times a few people with search the same sites and vendors.  This wastes valuable time needed for more important things.  Find trusted vendors, sources and the best products. Get samples. Compare.  Go with the best. You can reassess every year to see you happy you are with product and service.

Set it up.  Set up an account.  This way you can call or email and order in and get billed later. One payment for multiple orders, easy tracking

Talk to the vendors.  There is often flexibility in how things are handled. Want to drop ship? Need special numbers on the tracking?  Often things are as easy as asking.

Insure they are on the level.  There is a lot of green-washing.  This does not help you meet your CSR, it holds you back.  In your initial research find out - are they certified? By whom? Does that cool symbol mean something or is is something they made up?

Lets get an example here.

Naked Binder is dedicated to exceeding expectations in service, in product and in our Corporate Social Responsibility. Our binders are FSC certified as are our folders.  They are constructed with 100% post consumer waste board and are the strongest binders on the planet. We had them flexed by an independent lab 250,000 times and they don't fail. We've run them through dishwashers and still use them.

We have corporate accounts as well as the ability to order on-line and avoid any process.

Our binders look great, which is good since they last so long.  You are going to have them for a long time. Following a long tradition of book binding, our binders are well crafted, well designed and a pleasure to use.

We guarantee.  That hinge will not fail in normal use.  Ever.

We give back. We are part of 1% for the Planet, giving 1% of our sales to preserving wilderness and wild spaces.  We also donate to schools, teachers and needy organizations. Call us crazy, but we actually care.

Economical.  Longer lasting, better made and better looking and well priced. We have discounts for quantities, but have no restrictions on how many you want.  Get one.  Get 10,000.  It is up to you. Either way, we will help you acheive your goals.

We all know that Law Firms generate a lot of paper. This results in a large carbon footprint as well as a lot of waste. Their site says. "The life-cycle of one ton of office paper, from production to recycling, results in the release of about nine tons of carbon dioxide (CO2)–equivalent gases, which contribute to global climate change; as well as other air and water pollutants."

They are encouraging Law firms to print double sided, use at least 30% post consumer waste papers, and to recycle waste papers.  

Considering the amount of paper generated in the Legal industry, this could potentially reduce carbon outputs, save a lot of forest and even reduce costs for firms.

Win win win.

Naked Binder would like to suggest one more step.  These same firms use a lot of binders, A LOT of binders.  Traditionally these are vinyl ( what else was there a few years ago?).  By switching to a recycled and recyclable binder, eliminating the toxic vinyl and getting a much stronger longer lasting product, Law Firms could save even more.

On top of saving money and the environment, you will be the envy of all you lawyer friends.  These binders are not only the strongest binders in the world, and the most sustainable binders, but well designed and good looking FSC certified binders.

I was reading the Interior Design Magazine site Design Green (which I would recommend) when I stubled on this.

This book involves the writers doing everyday things, eating tuna, microwaving plastics, using normal household products and raising their internal chemicals. In an insanly short time the chemicals in their bloodstream spike to dangerous levels (the 'Supersize Me' of chemicals). Here is a Washington Post review of it also

This is what we and Naked Binder have been concerned about.  If you suround yourself with bad chemicals you are going to absorb them. Now the the vinyl binder.  Vinyl is a toxic product - you have issues with out gassing when you store them, toxic to make and recycle if you tke the time to disect the binder. Especially if you are surrounded by binders (law firms, students, architects, designers, people who store photos or negatives....) you are breathing the chemicals they put out.

Naked Binder offers a product that is not filled with toxic chemicals.  A recycled pressed board with a cotton fabric, or FSC certified papers on it will not out gas.  If you have a room full of Naked Binders, there will be no oder, no chemical stew, no reason to test your blood for high levels of...whatever.

Read the book. Look around you and start eliminating toxins from your life.  It can be as easy as switching to a better looking, better working, longer lasting and more sustainable binder.

The problem with binders in use on the work site or in a gallery is that they fall apart.  Usually the hinge tears first, and then the rest of the binder follows quickly.

With Naked Binder's Architect Binder you get an 11 x 17 format binder that not only looks great, it is guaranteed not to fall apart. 

We sent some Naked Binders out to be tested in an independent laboratory.  They flexed the hinge 250,000 times and it did not fail.  That is the equivalent of using a binder 20 times a day for 34+ years. Most binders, especially vinyl, don't last 6 months with constant usage.

Not only will you save money on replacement binders, but the upfront cost is the same or less in many cases.

Available in three colors

1" or 1.5" rings

100% Recycled, 97-100% post consumer waste

Easily recyclable

The most eco friendly 11x17 tabloid binder on the planet

We define a sustainable product as one that is energy, resource and water efficient to create, works well and for longer, and is easily returned into the recycle stream to become a new product.

It is also true that a product with these traits that no one needs or wants is not going to work for us.  People use binders. In the US alone it is estimated that between 40 and 60 million binders a year are bought. Most of these are cheap vinyl - toxic to make, use and recycle (if you spend the time to dissect it).

So how does Naked Binder make the most eco-friendly, recycled sustainable 3-ring binders?

We use the best materials:

Our board is 97-100% post consumer waste and 100% recycled. No virgin wood. Most of products are FSC certified also.  Recycled paper takes less water, energy and generates less air pollution than using virgin wood products. It also takes pressure off of our forests, wild lands and wildlife leaving everyone beautiful places to go and enjoy nature undisturbed.

Our binders last:

Naked Binder does not laminate or use plastics, vinyl or other toxic methods on our binders.  The perception is that a bare board binder is not as strong.  Turns out, that is a myth.  We have had the Naked Binder flexed 250,000 times without fail. In fact, it still works fine.  In order to test them for water problems we ran them through dishwashers - and they are still in use also. No other binder, eco friendly or toxic, can make these claims.

An eco friendly binder that looks phenomenal:

If you are going to have a binder for the next ten plus years, it should be something you want to have around, so we designed five styles of Naked Binder - from elemental to eye popping color - all eco friendly, recycled and 100% recyclable.

Recyclable, absolutely, completely, easily:

Every piece of our binders is recyclable.  With a flat head screwdriver, it takes about 5 seconds to pop the rings from a binder and then recycle the pieces.  We have video! Contrast with the 5+ minutes it takes to dissect a vinyl binder (and much more time to find out if anyone in your state will recycle vinyl).  Even at the low estimate of 40 million vinyl binders sold every year this alone saves 137,499 DAYS (24 hours a day, every minute counted) of labor.

The report just came in.  After 250,000 flexes of the Naked Binder it still does not fail.  We won't lie, the outer layer of the hinge cracked. Not failed, not shredded, not ripped or broke...cracked. And only the outer layer - after a quarter million flexes. That binder is still a working binder - it just has a slight cosmetic feature now.

We tested a 2" bare board Naked Binder - 100% recycled, 100% post consumer waste. This binder has no extras, no cotton spine wrap to help increase its longevity, no vinyl, plastics, spinach or any other strength enhancing addatives to help this last longer.  This 100% post consumer waste FSC certified board is the basis for all of the Naked Binder line.

What does a quarter of a million flexes mean to you? 

20 uses a day for 34+ years

100 uses a day for almost 7 years.

What it really means is that unlike your vinyl binder, you won't be taping the spine together on a Naked Binder.  A sustainable binder is one that lasts - Naked Binder is not a disposable product. It is a well crafted asset to your home, office, school, scrapbook or proposal.

Naked Binder - The Strongest Binder is the World!!  It survives the dishwasher, 250,000 flexes!  The naked binder team is now dreaming up new tests to see how much a really well made recycled, eco friendly binder can take.

2009 was the first full year that Naked Binder was up and running and we would like to take a moment to pause and reflect on the year.

When 2009 started, Naked Binder had a much smaller run of products.  The Naked Binder, the Project Binder and the Architect Binder all were made with less ring sizes, spine options and color options.  The Wrapped Binder is the only binder to have stayed the same ( Go Wrapped Binder!).

Prices also went down on almost everything.  The joys of larger production runs!

At the same time as we started a year ago in October, the economy was crashing.  While it has shored up a bit, Naked Binder has been donating to local schools (and some less local) to help students whose families are having hard times.  We have donated over 1000 binders this year and have already planned many more to go out in 2010.

who is using?

Who isn't? As the year unfolded, we noticed a lot more architects and engineering firms using recycled eco binders.  The new government push toward greener, more energy efficient buildings may have a lot to do with that. 

Designers and furniture companies also started ramping up use signaling a growth in demand for greener design, identity and, lets face it, a real lack of well designed binders outside of our manufacturing facility.

Museums, hospitals, construction (even at the new Miami Airport terminal), Burt's Bees, banks and financial institutions, churches, schools and a whole lot of individuals.

More and better product

Big changes came when we became FSC certified - admittedly, only the larger ring sizes as of today. The smaller cut board was purchased just before the mill became FSC certified and we are not going to waste it. Soon everything will be FSC certified.

We also moved to a 100% post consumer waste board.  There is no virgin wood anywhere in our board. Never was, but we raised the level of post consumer waste by 3%.  The board is clean and beautiful with amazing subtle depth of color flecks from the reused magazines/papers.

During the year, we added a full range of ring sizes to the project binders, updated the colors, and added options for both round and square spines. The Naked Binders, our most eco friendly binder, also got a boost in ring sizes. For our 11 x17 binder, the Architect binder, we stretched a machine and added a 1.5"D ring option also.

We also made created new products.  The Classic binder - wrapped in a black FSC certified paper offsetting the beautiful and colorful spine wraps - these babys look great!  They have a finger pull in the spine, nine colors and a subtle debossed line for lining up labels.

Recycled eco pocket folders and eco friendly CD packaging also came about in 2009.  We were busy.

What next?

More and better.  We are working to trim even the little waste we do produce, find better ways to get our binders to you and create new products that you need. 

We are making the two pocket folder a small spine so it holds more paper more easily. We are working on a legal size binder ( on several requests).  A half size binder is being worked on also.  Also, apparently there are not a lot of eco friendly recycled products for the scrapbook market, so we have been working on this also.  Hang in there everyone who requested!!  It will be out soon!

If you have ideas, let us know.  We are always working to make the best most environmentally friendly binders and folders that you need.  If you have needs, we may be able to create it.

More community  We will be working more locally to get kids who need them binders and supplies.  We are also donating product to environmental organizations we support to help stretch their budgets out and keep the money going toward more important items - like preserving wild areas.

Thanks for all of your support and good comments! We look forward to a great 2010 and wish you all the best in the new year.

The Copenhagen Wheel - convert your bike to an electric bike which tells you about traffic and air quality.

It seems that MIT may have been doing it again as part of the Senseable lab.  This wheel collects energy from braking and uses it to give you a boost when you need one.  Attach your smart phone and it telss you air quality, traffic and your fitness.

Quick - touch your toes and test your arteries. The New York Times has an article that suggests that there is a link between your arteries and your flexibility.

TED Talk by Loretta Napoleoni: The intricate economics of terrorism  If you don't know the TED talks, they are like crack for the intellect. Amazing speeches on everything posted on the web. So who thinks about the terrorism as a an economic problem? Napoleoni claims that it is a 1.5 trillion dollar business. This used to all flow through the US money supply - but no more.  How this affects the US economy is one question.

Cool Environmental Advertising for 2009 - Treehugger has posted some of the best environmental ads of the last year.  Great stuff, provocative images.

We will be closed December 24th and 25th as well as December 31st and January 1st.

To make up for this, we will have a

sale

next week from December 24th through January 1st -

for you 20% off all of our binders and 15% off all of the folders!

Enjoy and Be safe out there! 

Bare board binders offer unique design opportunities - a blank slate for your ideas, labels, drawings, screening or foil stamping. Left on it's own, these eco friendly binders are minimalist expressions of good design.

Worried about strength?  If you buy something, you want it to last.  These binders were designed to last ten years. To test this we had the binder flexed 50,000 times. Not only did it not fail, there was no discernible difference in the binder.  Our bare board Naked Binders survived two rain tests with no problem so we ran them through a dishwasher.  We dried them flat and they look and work great.

Often people perceive vinyl as stronger - after all it is covered in plastic. Unfortunately, almost ever vinyl binder you have ever bought has fallen apart at the hinge. 

We guarantee that will not happen with a Naked Binder under any normal circumstance.

Naked Binders - raw bare board binders offer a recyclable non-toxic alternative to a vinyl binder.  Eco Friendly. Sustainable. Well Designed. A much better alternative to teh vinyl you have been using.

At this point, the in the binders for 8.5x11" paper all of the 2" and 2.5" ring binders are FSC certified as are the 1.5" Architect Binders.

The board for the smaller binders was purchased just before the mill got their FSC certifiecation, so is not claimed.  Soon all of our products will ahve the FSC certification on top of being the best looking, working and strongest sustainable binders on the market.

What is FSC?

The Forest Stewardship Council was created to change the dialogue about and the practice of sustainable forestry worldwide. The FSC standards represent the world’s strongest system for guiding forest management toward sustainable outcomes.

For those companies who manufacture or trade certified products, a different form of certification applies. Again, to assure the credibility of claims on products, it is important to track materials as they leave the forest and become products down stream. This “chain of custody”(COC) certification process is quite simple. Like any inventory control system, COC allows products to be segregated and identified as having come from a particular source—in this case, an FSC-certified forest.

While all of our binders are made with 100% recycled and 97-100% post consumer waste, this certification shows that we can prove it. No green washing. Never did, never will.

OK, reopen your eyes, it is here!

Label it, write on it, leave it pure, these 100% recycled pocket folders are the best. You can easily buy labels right on the site - all full bleed print to the edge labels so the only limits are your imagination.

Make your next presentation, your next grant proposal, your next song or folder for tax receipts everything it could be: Green, beautiful and Recycled.

Get the same high quality environmentally friendly binders at sweet deals.  These bare board binders are made to the same specs as every Naked Binder, able to be flexed 50,000 times without change, strong, beautiful and well designed.

Save money and the environment with the Naked Binder discount bin.  The product offerings change every two weeks so keep checking for new products, sizes and styles.

Where is that?  The landfills are filling up, the ammount of stuff we throw "away" has exponentially increased. Products that tout convinience are wrapped in plastics, packaged, wrapped again and sold 10 times the size of the product. New products come out making the one you bought last month obsolete.

So where does all this stuff go?

If you are in Cairo, this section of town where the locals recycle, fix and repurpose and...let it sit. All this is garbage. In most places in the US, Canada and Europe you will never see this because your garbage is carted away and sealed into a dump. Or sent to far off places. Some of it goes on ocean journeys (remember the NY garbage barge in the 80s?).

Out of sight, out of mind is a theory that works to a degree. Yes, your city is pretty clean. Yes, you can keep doing whatever you want and buying whatever you want and throwing "away" whatever you want... or can you?

As our landfills fill and new ones are harder to open (do you want to live next to one?) we must address a few key issues. Recycling is foremest.

Some say that 14 percent of landfill space is taken up by newspaper alone, 41% of the total landfill is paper. 8% or so are plastics.  Only 3% of plastic is currently recycled. Yard waste? About 21%. Glass? 11%. Metals about 12%.

By a quick calculation, about 85% of landfill is recyclable.

Hmm...

So, start composting and recycle.  Buy products that use less packaging, less toxic materials and are easy to reuse or recycle (or both). Be careful what you throw away - can it be used by someone else?  An old chair may be just the thing for the person down the street.  Magazines?  Does the Library need them? Clothes can go to shelters, goodwill or perhaps you can just have a clothing swap (my wife has these with friends and I hear they are super fun).

Be concious about your life.  There is no "away" anymore, so you need to take responsibility for your own waste. 

Whether you are designing a website, a LEED certified building or showing off your artwork these binders will protect your work, keep you organized and make it look even better. 

These binders are made from 97-100% recycled material and are 100% recyclable.  The 1.5 inch ring binders are FSC certified binders.

1. The midwest was hit by a really amazing storm.  Snow, wind, cold temperatures.  This may delay shipping of Naked Binders by a day. So if you absolutely need it thursday, that may be an issue.  If it can get out, it will, but as always the weather will dictate whether UPS can get it there.

2. The project binder has a new binder offering. As you know, the project binder is a recycled bare board binder with a cotton book cloth spine wrap. These 3-ring binders offer color along with eco friendly features like being 100% recyclable and using 97-100% post consumer waste board.

And now you can get this environmentally friendly binder with a cotton linen spine wrap!

These natural cotton/linen wraps create an elegant look while maintaining that natural and eco-friendly recycled look. Sophisticated, green and as strong as every Naked Binder is, which is to say, amazingly strong.

Sustainable, recyclable, recycled and now with a cotton/linen wrap. Check them out here!

FSC certified board, covered in ecological fibers FSC certified paper with a spine wrap toped with a metal-less finger pull.

This binder is both ecologically friendly and sustainable. The Classic binder uses 97-100% post consumer waste board and is 100% recyclable.  The metal-less finger pull allows you to get the binder off a crowded shelf easily when you are using the binder, and to recyle it easily when you are done.

Did I say good looking?  The black ecological fiber paper acts to set off the color of the spine wrap making for eye-catching presentations.  Our easy to use, full bleed labels allow you to customize easily for using these in your binder bin, or around your green office.

With nine colors to chose from and four sizes, there is a classic binder for everyone and any occasion.

Today I want to showcase a few quite interesting architectural spaces that make use of interesting spaces, materials and solve interesting problems.

First, D-minution House published in arch daily and inhabitat.

Designed by SUB, studio for visionary design is a Jakarta based architecture office. SUB focuses on architecture
and design at all levels and scales. It also offers integrated design for the master plan, architectural,
landscape, interior and furniture design.

In New Orleans, one problem was how to build the houses high enough so that they would escape floodwaters -- even if they might not withstand the inundation that occurred following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The other was how to preserve the intimate New Orleans-style streetscape where people could sit on their porches and visit with passersby.

Doug MacCash / The Times-PicayuneArchitect Thom Mayne's angual floating house.

Architect Thom Mayne, whose firm Morphosis is based in Santa Monica, Calif., came up with what is basically a dry dock boat.  This house will float up, and resettle leaving all you possesions intact.

In Poland, Architect Peter Kuczia face a different set of challenges.

The built form is designed to optimise the absorbance of solar energy. Approximately 80% of the building envelope is facing south direction. This home incorporates solar, passive solar and thermal insulation.The house consumes only about 1/10 of the average energy use of the existing single-family houses in Poland and cost about the same to build.

The design of the project was determinated by the twin goals of low lifecycle costs and a reduction in construction costs. All details are simple, but well thought out.

via arch daily

Today, we stumbled on this post by DK Designs blog, a design firm out of my old West Oakland neighborhood (go dogtown and lower bottom!). They do a log of great eco-friendly design and you should be checking them out. DK Designs. Really. Check them out.

Their post:

What is the basis for promoting environmentally sustainable design and products?  Are we going to save the earth?  Make lots of money on a temporarily sexy product? What are we doing anyway?

I can only answer for myself and Naked Binder. There are a million answers out there to this question. Some more satisfying than others.

So here is what I hope to do, and as I run Naked Binder, what we hope to do through Naked Binder.

Majora Carter speaks of a triple bottom line in community green development - development which benefits the community, the developer and the government.  If you don't know who she is, you should.  I linked to a TED talk she gave in 2006.  She has gone on to do even more.

We are looking for a triple bottom line also.   Community, Developer and Government actually work for us as well.

Community: You, the people.  The users of our products and users of our environment.  We strive to make a product which is non-toxic, non-out-gassing, long lasting, good looking and works well all while lessoning your impact on the planet.

Healthier air - Vinyl out-gasses releasing particles into the air which you then breathe. Indoor air quality is generally considered much more polluted than outdoor air.  And where do you spend most of your time?

You save money - the products last longer.  No vinyl binder in continuous use lasts longer than a year without duct tape. Our binder is designed to last 10 years. The hinge was tested to 50,000 flexes  that is 9+ years of 20 uses a day. Everyday. Plus they look good, so you want to keep them.

Support and protect wild spaces and wilderness areas.  Even before we opened, we signed up to donate through 1% for the Planet.  People need to know there are wild spaces even if you can't get there everyday.

Government:  Less Garbage, less landfill = big savings.  It is estimated that 40-80 Million vinyl binders are sold in the US alone every year.  Each binder weighs about one pound. Think of all the binders you have owned - did you shred them to get the recyclable parts out? Probably not. 40 million pounds of waste adds up.

The support for our natural resources by not using virgin timber in our board also preserves forests which clean the air and sequester carbon and uses less water and energy to manufacture.

Developer: That is me and Naked Binder.  We want to make money.  We employ people and hope to employ more.  We want to grow and find further ways to refine our processes to use better materials and generate less waste.  We want to continue. We want to further protect the wilderness and wild spaces we love.

The triple bottom line of benefits.  Green businesses are creating sustainable products for a lot of reasons.  We at Naked Binder want to be sure that we are not receiving all the benefits. We want everyone to win this race.

Step one.  You read the newspaper, magazines, shred your 10 year old tax papers, empty the mailbox of annoying sale flyers and recycle the lot.  All that paper waste (post consumer waste) goes to a recycling mill which chops it, cleans it of the plastic toys that you child put in the recycle bin and makes it into a slurry.  This slurry is spread over screens compressed, dried and becomes paper board.

Step two. The board is layered to the proper thickness by compressing multiple layers together. cut and sent to Naked Binder.

Step three. Naked Binder rounds the corners (to prevent bending) and flexes the spine into the board by pressing a 'blade' into the board.  No board is removed or cut, just flexed to allow the bend.  By crafting our binders this way, we maintain the whole strength of the board.  Nothing is lost.  This is why the Naked Binder lasts so long.  The spine will never break.

Step four.  Add ring.  If you buy the 2" or 2.5" binders, we use a EZD ring which is the best ring available.  This way if you have those 550 pages in your binder, it will never fail and drop those pages all over the ground.  A normal ring is hard pressed to carry this kind of weight.  In the smaller sizes, the weight of the paper is not going to cause ring failure.

Step five.  Use for 10 years.  They look good, they last and they become your friends. Better than pet rocks.

Step six. take a flathead screwdriver and pop the rings out, recycle rings. recycle binder.

Step seven.  See step one.

These binders are designed to reenter the waste stream and be made into binders again.  There is no loss of habitat, no virgin wood, no de-forestation, no landfill. The binder cycle is never complete: the recycled binder just keeps on giving.

Turning really green I really think I’m turning really green I really think so. You too? If you’re an interior designer who’s been thinking about gettin’ over to the green side, or even if you’re just a regular mortal planning to convert an existing office space or home into an eco-friendly environment, then you’ve got to pick up a copy of “Turning Green: A Guide to Becoming a Green Design Firm.” It’s written by members of a Denver-based interior design firm in conjunction with.. 

..the American Society of Interior Designers. In other words, they know what they’re talking about when it comes to going green but not compromising style. The pamphlet offers product recommendations and guidelines as well as a step-by-step process to turn your space into an eco-friendly environment. Here’s a sneak peak at what you'll find:

I. Before you start, establish environmental principles and develop a plan of action. If you make a list of things that you want to accomplish through your efforts, you can also determine how you need to change your current habits and practices to achieve those goals.

II. Start in your own backyard. Inventory your home or office products and processes and determine where changes can be made. Areas to consider: cleaning supplies, office supplies and recycling.

III. Begin exploring alternative product options and green vendors. (Hey, that's what TreeHugger's here for!) Don’t forget to consider antiques and collectibles.

IV. Get others involved and share your solutions with peers and colleagues outside of the office. Create an archive of green solutions that can be used intra- and inter-office.

The guide also includes a ton of useful web sites, and on top of all that, you can download it for free. This is one case where the grass really is greener on the other side. Via ::Metropolis Magazine ::Turning Green [Kara DiCamillo]

You can see the original article here go check the article and TreeHugger!

Convenient:

Get 1. Get 1,000. No worries, no minimums.  Most orders ship next day.

Flexible:

With five styles, 9 colors and 4 ring sizes, Naked Binders fit in any office, presentation, art portfolio or home.  Used by museums, architects, LEED buildings, furniture companies, government proposals, banks, law firms and a whole lot of individuals.

Sustainable:

Environmentally friendly, recycled and recyclable.  Our board is  97-100% post consumer waste. Our papers are either Green Seal or FSC certified and the cotton spine wraps we use add both color and protection to the spines.

Durable:

Naked Binders are designed to last ten years and  tested to with in an inch of their life. To insure lovgevity, we have run them through dishwashers and have independent labs flexed the hinge 50,000 times.

Easy to Personalize:

Simple and elegant labeling system offers full bleed printable labels

Closer:

Made in the USA in Des Moines, IA

Recyclable:

Stop paying for more trash pick-up. Naked Binders are 100% easily recyclable.

The Classic Binder is new with its FSC certified papers and board - 9 colors of spine wrap!

The Project Binder and Naked Binders is now available in 4 ring sizes from 1" to 2.5" and in either round or square spines!!

These binders are the most environmentally friendly binders for the planet.  97-100% post consumer waste board, 100% recyclable, stronger and better looking than anything else on the market. That makes for one sustainable eco binder.

Treehugger offers up 5 CEOs from unlikely places who have turned around to become environmentally concerned. This list includes Rupert Murdoch, media Mogul of whom Treehugger said 'most of his news outlets are notorious for being vocally skeptical about climate change. And that’s putting it lightly.' He is trying to make News Corp. carbon neutral by 2010.

What does all this mean in the great scheme of things?  A lot.  While some percentage of this 'greening' is lip service, the movement toward a greener manufacturing and business base is not just in words. 

So why the push?  The bottom line.  In the end, it makes sense to curb use of fossil fuels that are rapidly becoming more expensive, virgin wood which is harder and harder to find and to end spewing toxins into the environment (in part due to litigation and government regulation). 

I don't want to suggest that the leaders of these companies are not genuinely concerned for the environment. I do want to suggest that it would be hard to convince a Board of Directors to spend money on measures that would not help the bottom line.

Greening, whether using less, eliminating waste, changing operations or buying recycled products saves money. If you don't believe us, ask Sir Richard Branson or Rupert Murdoch or Hewlett Packard.

To celebrate the time of year - harvest time after all, Naked Binder will offer 20% all products from November 23rd to the 30Th. That is right. You can get sustainable, beautiful and fun products you really need and use for 20% off.

A quick singing of praises:

• 100% recycled board binders - 97-100% post consumer waste
  
• 100% recyclable
  
• strong (two grown men couldn't pull it apart...) tested to 50,000 flexes and run through dishwashers for you
  
• Really really good looking
  
• Sustainable
  
• Non-toxic

All binders available in 1", 1.5", 2" and 2.5" rings. The project and classic  binders available in 9 colors. the 11x17 Architect binder in 2 colors and naked in 1" and 1.5" rings.

Many choices, many looks and all environmentally frienldy.

Our Materials

Board

Most of the board Naked Binder uses is FSC certified 100% post consumer waste binders board.  This unbleached board is created from household and office curbside waste.  When the binder is finished, it is 100% recyclable.

Book Binding Cloth

A durable library-grade 100% cotton book binding cloth which adds protection and color to your binder.  This is the same cloth as all of the books on you bookshelfs

Papers

Naked Binder uses three different papers.

For the Classic Binder we use the FSC certified Ecological Fibers Rainbow series papers. These papers are acid free, carbon free, lignin free and archival. The facilities which makes them only discharges clean process water, recovers coating waste materials which are recycled into an ingredient in potting soil, uses recyclclable scrap paper to manufacture new raw materials and converts non-recyclable waste to energy through incineration.

The Wrapped Binder uses Neenah Eames paper in the graphic grey.  Neenah Eames papers are Green Seal certified, meaning they are at least 30% post consumer fiber and that mill processes, including packaging, are environmentally preferable. Green-e identifies products made with certified renewable energy, including but not limited to wind power, solar power, low impact hydropower, and biomass.

The interior of the Wrapped Binder is lined with acid-free book end paper from an FSC- Certified mill. This is the same end paper that the Library of Congress specifies to protect their bound volumes.  If you have old paperbacks or newspaper that has yellowed and decayed, you have seen what acidic paper can do.  An archival acid-free paper will protect your contents and also lasts much, much longer than other papers.

Our decision was to go with the acid-free paper over a recycled content paper at this time.  If we can find a paper that has both attributes and works well when we flex the spine, we will gladly switch. This is on the list of things we are working towards.

Rings

We use stainless steel binder binder rings, In the 2" and 2.5" rings we use EZD rings, the best rings you can get so the ring holds under the weight of 400-500 sheets of paper. To our knowledge, the rings of the Naked Binder are not recycled.  They are made in China (there are no US manufacturers) and are metal, which means they could be recycled metal, but we honestly just don’t know.  At this time, no one makes a binder ring that is certifiably recycled.

A few comments on terms

Post-Consumer Waste vs. Recycled Content
Post-consumer waste is basically the garbage left after an end product has been used.  This waste was not generated to create a new product, but is, for example, a newspaper after it has been read.

Recycled Content can include waste from the creation of a product as well as post-consumer waste.  In the case of the board manufacturer, some of the board can be used – perhaps it is not set properly or has a defect.  This can easily be put back into the recycling stream to be remade into usable board. 

FSC-Certified
The Forest Stewardship Council was created to change the dialogue about and the practice of sustainable forestry worldwide. The FSC standards represent the world’s strongest system for guiding forest management toward sustainable outcomes.

For those companies who manufacture or trade certified products, a different form of certification applies. Again, to assure the credibility of claims on products, it is important to track materials as they leave the forest and become products down stream. This “chain of custody”(COC) certification process is quite simple. Like any inventory control system, COC allows products to be segregated and identified as having come from a particular source—in this case, an FSC-certified forest.

Green-e certification
Green-e is the nation's leading independent consumer protection program for the sale of renewable energy and greenhouse gas reductions in the retail market. Green-e offers certification and verification of renewable energy and greenhouse gas mitigation products. It is a program of the Center for Resource Solutions.


Green Seal certification
Green Seal is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to safeguarding the environment and transforming the marketplace by promoting the manufacture, purchase, and use of environmentally responsible products and services.

Naked Binder has pushed to make a product that would never go to landfill. We may not have succeeded yet in all of our aims, but we are working on it, so this struck a nerve with us. Check it out and also check out Planet Green.

"Alex Steffen once said "there is no such thing as garbage, just useful stuff in the wrong place." William McDonough said "We're not talking here about eliminating waste, We're talking about eliminating the entire concept of waste." Seth Godin says "Zero is the new black. The Boston Globe took it to the extreme:

"Imagine an industrial system in which nothing ever really dies or gets discarded....In this perfect system, each unit of energy consumed would be somehow offset. Every industrial byproduct would reassemble into something useful and benign. Every beam of sunlight, scrap of garbage, and flush of the toilet would be pressed into service. No exceptions. Humankind would make obsolete the very concept of "waste."

The fact is, we have been sold a bill of goods by our current industrial system that basically runs on waste, on selling stuff to us but not being responsible for the garbage that comes with it. They basically have transferred the responsibility to you, the taxpayer, who has to pay for dumps and separate it for recycling. It is a big issue, bigger than just the waste, it is the energy made producing things that don't last, replacing bottles that get recycled instead of refilled, picking up shopping bags that get tossed instead of reused.

But it doesn't have to be that way, we don't have to take their garbage. Here are some tips for personally moving toward a zero-waste life, adding a few R's to the usual 3 with some help from Lotus Live.

Refuse
Simply don't buy stuff that is overpackaged. Many companies are working to reduce their packaging, changing from plastics to papers and cards that are recyclable, eliminating waste. Remember that you are paying to dispose of it (many cities now limit the garbage you can throw out and charge if you go over). Refuse to buy bottled water or coffee in paper cups when you can carry your own refillable. With food, make your own stuff from scratch instead of buying all that prepackaged stuff, you will save money and eat healthier, and have very little left.

Rot
Compost what is left over, turning it into valuable nutrients. Read 7 Reasons to Compost.

Refill
In Ontario Canada, 88% of beer bottles are returned to the beer store, washed and refilled; just south of the border in the USA, the number drops to under 5%. But it is available if you look, and those vendors that will refill should get your business. We buy milk in refillable glass bottles and it actually tastes better.

Repair
Fix and mend things rather than replacing them. This often means buying better stuff in the first place, that will last longer, paying a little more for solid quality, but over time it will cost less. Planet Green has some good sources for Learing the 4th R, Repair Manuals for the 4th R: Repair

Return
Some things, like computers, don't have that long a life span as the technologies evolve. But you can buy from manufacturers like Dell and now Apple who have developed some producer responsibility and take back what they sell for proper recycling or refurbishment.

Repurpose
If you are handy, a lot of things can be put to different uses than they were originally intended. CD cases become picture frames; Old tea cups become bangles, Fridge parts have been turned into storage. Also, you can give things a new purpose in life by selling or giving them away through yard sales, donations, swaps and even on eBay.

And last, and yes, least:

Recycle
But remember that you are doing the work for the manufacturer and the waste handler, separating the stuff that you didn't need and or want and paying through your taxes to take away. I meant it when I provocatively titled an article on TreeHugger Recycling is Bulls**t

My favorite description of how recycling is fraudulent comes from Vancouver writer Ruben Anderson, who describes the process of recycling Tetra-Paks, promoted by industry as "green" packaging:

The places that say they recycle Tetra Paks are liars. What does "re" mean? It means again. Can a Tetra Pak be made into another Tetra Pak? No. Tetra Paks are seven incomprehensibly thin layers of paper, plastic and aluminum. The poor suckers who try to recycle them use giant blenders to mush the paper pulp off the plastic and metal, then they need to separate the plastic from the metal.

That isn't zero waste. It is using a lot of energy to manufacture the packaging, ship it around the country to special "recycling" facilities, and to get low grade crap out of it, just to make people feel better, knowing that their purchase is "recyclable." Recycling is a sop to make us feel better about a system that doesn't work. It should be the very last thing we do.

Imagine if you didn't have a dump to take stuff to, or a city garbage pickup, or if you had to pay a buck a pound for all of the garbage you make and cannot deal with at home. You would get close to zero waste very quickly.

 

So someone spent a lot of time and effort on these spaces. Some of these are LEED approved.  Some just really really green, solar powered, insullated, geo-thermal green roofed personal castles. 

So who puts a vinyl binder in a well thought out space? 

Who puts a poorly made, poorly designed, toxic to make, use and get rid of, short lived vinyl binder in a well designed space? 

We at Naked Binder can only guess it is a giant conspiracy that involves shadowy characters in the middle of the night trying to ruin the good work, the good spaces the good living of a great many people.

It is time to fight back with a sustainable binder that is well designed, looks good, feels good, lasts for years and makes you want to say,"Wow, that is a nice binder! It looks like it was made for [insert well designed space here]!".

A true recycled, recyclable eco binder.  We are not saying there is a conspiracy against well designed spaces, but we aren't saying there isn't.  Check us out.

'According to the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), 57.4 percent of the paper consumed in the U.S. was recovered for recycling in 2008. This significant achievement was made possible by the millions of Americans who recycle at home, work and school every day.

In fact, if measured by weight, more paper is recovered for recycling from municipal solid waste streams than all glass, plastic and aluminum combined. Additional good news: every ton of paper recovered for recycling saves 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space.'   (via Earth-911)

When your old magazines go to the recycler they get sorted, cleaned (no more staples, garbage or other objects). What remains is then shredded, procesed a bit and put in huge water tanks to become a slurry. To make the binders board, this slurry is sprayed in thin layers gradually building up an even thickness.  This is then run through a machine that pressurizes that layer so it is even and smooth. 

The binders board that Naked Binder uses is actually three or more layers of this board - re-sandwiched together to get the proper thinkness of board.  This sheet is then dried, cut and sent to Naked Binder where it is made into a binder.

That is the long and short of it.  Your old magazines and newspapers, processed, and returned to you as an environmentally friendly eco binder that makes all your friends say,"Where can I get one of those?" (green envy).

So why would you let them put a vinyl binder in something you spent ANY time working on? Ugly, outgassing, cheap and disposable these things clog the arteries of any home or office.

Offer alternatives for better living.  Recycled and recyclable eco friendly binders that look great, come in 9 awesome colors and are non-toxic. As refined or simple as you want them and many are FSC certified.

We designed a binder that is made from FSC certified board which is 100% post consumer waste.  Recycled and recyclable, this binder will not enter the landfill stream. Designed to last ten years, this is the strongest binder on the market (we even ran it through a dishwasher). To make you want to keep it that long, we made them interesting, colorful and fun to have.

So look around.  Your office is more than a place to slave away - it is a creative think tank that allows you to reach out and explore - to go beyond the normal no matter what you do. Creative accounting (be careful), creative marketing, creative architeicture, creative phone banks....

Do you see color? Texture? Interesting shapes? Good design? Are you happy there? Are there toxic products around you? sunlight?

We believe that the office needs to be interesting, colorful, fun.  A creative workplace stimulates the mind, keeping you awake, creative and engaged. All the elements add up to making an environment that actually helps you to do better work, be happier and enjoy what you do.

Offering products with rich colors and interesting shapes that are non-toxic, well designed and work better is more than just a great idea (though it is a great idea).  Naked Binder makes binders stimulate and enhance your working experience.

To paraphrase David Carson, 'Enjoy life, you are going to be dead a long time'.

Shipping things around the country can get expensive, so it pays to know more about how UPS works especially if you are in a rush.

The UPS Ground rate is estimated at 3-4 days in the continental US, but the closer you live to the source, the faster the product will actually get there. The Naked Binder plant is located in Iowa (area code 50316).  If you go to the UPS site you can pull up a UPS map that will let you know when your package will arrive if you send it ground.

If you live near by, your shipping will be one day (probably) even if it goes ground!  Two days to anywhere within a fairly large radius. 

So anytime you ship UPS or order something, check the map so you don't overspend!

Naked Binders 11x17 binders are made from 100% Recycled Board, 97-100% post consumer waste.  These binders are sustainable in the cradle to cradle mode - made from recycled board and 100% recyclable. Stronger than nearly any binder on the market, these binder are made from 110pt binders board - a dense board.  We press horizontal creases into which are not only add stability, but also a great design element.

Even if these bare board binders get wet, there is not problem.  We have run bare board binders through dishwashers to test them. Those binders still worked and looked fine after a little drying time.

Stronger, greener, recycled, recyclable, well designed.  The Architect Binder is an 11 x 17 binder that is head an shoulders above the crowd.

Americans use more paper than anyone else in the world, and yet paper is super resource intensive, water intensive and takes a lot of trees if it isn't recycled. Naked Binder wants to encourage you to look at what you use and choose recycled paper.  Print double sided, recycle and reuse also.  Our forests are finite and we need to protect them.

What has Naked Binder done lately?

Naked Binder has changed to an FSC certified board, and the Classic binder is wrapped in FSC certified paper. 

How much more environmentally friendly is recycled paper compared to virgin paper?
• Recycled paper saves 60% energy vs. virgin paper¹
• Recycled paper generates 95% less air pollution: each ton saves 60 lbs. of air pollution ¹
• Recycling of each ton of paper saves 17 trees and 7000 gallons of water ²

Every year enough paper is thrown away to make a 12-foot high wall running from New York to California

¹  Center for Ecological Technology
²  EPA

According to these numbers, Naked Binder has currently saved:

     • 595 trees      • 265,000 gallons of water        • 2100 lbs of air pollution  

Our Materials

Board

Naked Binder uses FSC certified 100% post consumer waste binders board.  This unbleached board is created from household and office curbside waste.  When the binder is finished, it is 100% recyclable.

Book Binding Cloth

A durable library-grade 100% cotton book binding clorth which adds protection and color to your binder.  This is the same cloth as all of the books on you bookshelfs

Papers

Naked Binder uses three different papers.

For the Classic Binder we use the FSC certified Ecological Fibers Rainbow series papers. These papers are acid free, carbon free, lignin free and archival. The facilities which makes them only discharges clean process water, recovers coating waste materials which are recycled into an ingredient in potting soil, uses recyclclable scrap paper to manufacture new raw materials and converts non-recyclable waste to energy through incineration.

The Wrapped Binder uses Neenah Eames paper in the graphic grey.  Neenah Eames papers are Green Seal certified, meaning they are at least 30% post consumer fiber and that mill processes, including packaging, are environmentally preferable. Green-e identifies products made with certified renewable energy, including but not limited to wind power, solar power, low impact hydropower, and biomass.

The interior of the Wrapped Binder is lined with acid-free book end paper from an FSC- Certified mill. This is the same end paper that the Library of Congress specifies to protect their bound volumes.  If you have old paperbacks or newspaper that has yellowed and decayed, you have seen what acidic paper can do.  An archival acid-free paper will protect your contents and also lasts much, much longer than other papers.

Our decision was to go with the acid-free paper over a recycled content paper at this time.  If we can find a paper that has both attributes and works well when we flex the spine, we will gladly switch. This is on the list of things we are working towards.

More sizes

The Naked Binders and the Project Binders will now be available in ring sizes from 1" to 2.5" in both square and round spines. No more trying to pick and choose - we filled them in.

The Architect binder now also has a 1.5" ring.

More styles

Check out our new Classic BInder - an FSC certified and super cool binder wrapped in ecological fibers black paper with our full series of spine wraps and featuring a finger pull on the spine.

More Colors

We had a little color shift on the cloth spine wraps with sky blue going to a cobalt blue, yellow to Aztec Gold, red to Flare (a more true red), and we added a natural cotton/linen spine wrap. All these colors are available on both the project and classic lines.

The Architect Binder will also be available in a red spine wrap to go along with the bare and black wraps.

Folders

If you haven't seen them yet, Naked Folders are going to rock your world. 100% recycled and recyclable and 100% classy.

Labeling options

Naked Binder now offers labels for both our binders and folders.

So there I am carving a binder an night.  My child confused, but not so much. At two and a half most things seem new to him.  What is a scary binder to him?

For a long time I have been thinking that these binders would be great with designes carved in them. As a bare board binder, you don't have layers of vinyl or plastics to cut through, so you can get a clean cut. If you have marketing materials or art proposals, you could design the binder and amterials together to really show off.

If you have the time and money, those very cool laser cutters will work with this material also. You could have super precise intricate designs on your binder.

All this I am thinking as I cut away with what apparently was a much sharper blade in the past. I dutifully recycle all the cut out parts and show my now eco friendly halloween binder to Child.  He looks, giggles and wants to go jump on the bed.

I guess I need to work on my scary carving skills.

In a 3-ring binder, you want a product that will last, hold paper and can be labeled. Depending on your need, it's green qualities will matter (LEED certifeid buildings will benefit fro these as will governement offices who are mandated to cut back on waste).

Actual Value.

strength.

Naked Binder offers the strongest binder on the market.  Most binders fail at the spine hinge because they are made of three pieces of board with a thin piece of vinyl holding it together. Naked Binders last because they are made of one piece of 110pt board with the  hinge pressed directly into the board.  There are no weak spots.  Tested to 50,000 flexes (over 9 years of 20 uses a day) with NO change, these hinges will not fail.

Better rings.

On our 2" and 2.5" binders we use the best ring available so the weight of 450 sheets of paper doesnt open your binder and spill out on the floor.

Actual costs.

A $4-$12 vinyl binder will last about a year if you don't use it much.  If your  $7-$10 Naked Binder only lasts 5 years you will save at least $13 per binder.If your company uses 100 binders a year that adds up

Another cost is disposal.  For larger firms having large amounts of vinyl binders to dispose of is an issue. A toxic and expensive issue. One company has 30,000 in a warehouse and no way to dispose of them.

Environmentally friendly.

Most companies and a whole lot of individuals are concerned about the environment.  While buying one recycled binder will not change very much, consider that 60-80 million vinyl binders are bought and thrown away each year in the United States. Most of these end up in landfill. This costs you and your company in taxes as the county, state and federal government scramble to find room for more landfill. 

Percieved Value.

Environmentally Friendly.

These binders look great, work well and make a great impression. 

Naked Binders have been used for meetings of Sustainable Business Councils, in house use and props for high end furniture companies, architectural proposals, and art portfolios.

The benefit of your attention to details in a proposal, in your LEED certification, or even in in-house use can push your image higher as high as your actual concern for the environment.

Our line of 100% recycled and recyclable environmentally friendly folders.  There is no virgin wood in these folders: also no chemicals, no dyes, no toxins. These are elemental, beautiful alternatives to the plastic, vinyl and laminated fodlers you have been using.

The Naked Folders are not only beautiful, but an amazingly sustainable alternative to other folders.  100% recycled, 100% recyclable and very practical. Great for presentations, around the office, school and perfect for a grant for the arts.  Easily personalized with labels.

Naked Binder has now added a new color to our 11 x 17 architect binders!

These sustainably manufactured 11 x 17 binders are made with 100% recycled board, unbleached. Of this board 97% of it is post consumer waste, 3% is post industrial. Naked Binders are made from one piece of 110pt binders board with the hinges pressed directly into the board for strength.  Never again will you have to tape your binder together after a few months use. Naked Binders are designed to last ten years.

Go and check them out.

Stronger.

Sustainable.

and lets face it, Sexier.

Naked Binders eco friendly 11 x 17 Architect Binder. Simply the best you can get.

What is going on, you ask?

More sizes:

All Naked Binder products in all colors will now be available in all sizes from 1" to 2.5" d-rings.  The Architect Binder - our 11x17 binder will be available in a 1" and 1.5" D-ring.

New colors:

We have modified a few of our colors to be richer and added a ntural linen/cotton fabric.

These new colors on the project binders

New Binders:

Our new line of Classic Binders. 9 colors, wrapped in FSC certified black paper.

Not to mention our new eco friendly folders!

November 1st.  Go check it out!!!!

high school, falling apart, ugly, cheaply made, kid stuff - there is an urge to stay away from them - they are the dorky way to carry papers.  They look cheap, stupid and make you feel like you are in high school  again. What could be worse than that?

But, really? Does it have to be that way? What if you had a 3-ring binder that was more of a fashion accesory?

Naked Binder makes binders that are more that the sum of their amazing green parts.

• 100% recycled board, 100% PCW

* FSC certified paper and board

• strong (like Fauxnique next to these words) - tested to 50,000 flexes, run through dishwashers - designed to last 10 years

• 9 beautiful colors

These are more than just a great way to hold paper.  These bare board binders are a fashion statement.  They say things.

"I care"

but even more.

These are more than a binder, and a green product.  These are beautiful, objects of art and design.

More than a way to carry paper.

More than a functional object.

This binder is going to last you ten years so it has to stand out.  This is fine furniture. A way to accessorize your life.

A recycled binder. yes.

A recyclable binder. yes

A sustainable product. oh, yes.

But look beyond that. This may be the greenest binder on the planet, but it is more. 

Design.

Art.

Functionality.

Style.

A binder that takes you out of High School and into the world you want to be in.

 By the way, Fauxnque ( the first photo) will be performing in San Francisco November 7 -8 - Luxury Items at ODC Theater. She is amazing and should not be missed.

E-books save money, they save paper and they are convinient.

But there are times when you need to print them. Perhaps you need to print a chapter of a text for school, or a whole book to allow you to read anytime (say during the blackout of a storm - winter is coming...), or if you are me, I need physical print for anything that takes too many brain cells to read. 

In order to keep your impact on the planet as low as possible, print double sided on recycled paper and then clip it in a Naked Binder.  If you can get 100% recycled paper, you can print a book and never have harmed a tree.

Your Naked Binder is 100% recycled paper (97% Post consumer waste) and uses no plastics or vinyls so there is not toxic disposal issue (or toxic creation issue).  You can easily label your binder with our new labels so your books are easy to find. One binder can hold a LOT of books, especially if you look at the larger ring size binders.

Check them out and save paper, save trees and save money with E-books!

These pieces will kill the animal that ate them, and then go right back out and do it again.  they do not disapear at a rate that makes any sense.

Chris Jordan has been photographing the huge mess that is the Pacific Gyre - the immense patch of garbage floating in the Pacific ocean. He provides unstaged, untouched proof of the damage to birds in his photos.  These are baby albatross who have eaten a whole lot of plastic pieces and died.

These problems are not limited to Midway where he is photographing, but are everywhere.  Every step you take to eliminate the use of disposable, plastic items helps. And when you do get rid of them - recycle. Keep them contained in the system. We all recognize the benefits of plastics, but it is time we recognize the harm it does also.

We recently added the Naked Folder to our website - 100% recycled and recyclable folder that not only says green, but is an amazingly sustainable folder.

We talked about adding new colors on our Project binders, and now we are introducing the soon to be released line - The Classic Binder.

FSC certified, beautiful and durable, these binders do it all. with the same 100% recycled board inside (100% post consumer waste) covered in ecological fibers black rainbow paper with a book cloth spine.  These binders also have a finger pull for when you have packed bookshelves and can't get your hand around the binder.

While you were happy with the most environmentally friendly binder for the planet in all its rainbow colors, we are constantly striving to make them better and better.  The Binder is still 100% recycled and recyclable, and now part of our line is FSC certified! If you haven't seen, we now have the most environmentally friendly FOLDER for the planet, too!

While some colors will remain the same, Naked Binder is introducing some new colors for the new year. For those of you who love your old colors, don't worry!  We will be phasing them out over time, but not all at once.

 New:  Cotton /  Linen blend - 'Oatmeal' - A fabric with a more natural feel and look.

 Lime Green:  Stays the same!

New:  Bright Red - 'Flare' after hearing that our older red was too orange, we shifted to a real red

New: Bright Blue: 'Cobalt' a bit more subdued than the baby blue, and a really rich color

New: Dark Green - 'Fern' Less color coverage leaves the fabric texture while offering a rich, full color

New: Dark Red 'Chilli Pepper' - a rich color with lots of depth

New: yellow - 'Aztec Gold' - A bit more red than the pure yellow, rich and warm.

Navy Blue - Stays the same! Rich and full blue, impetuous but with maturity.

Black - Stays the same! Everything goes with black, and this one is full bodied.

 These spine wraps are cotton book cloth, offering extra strength and protection for the spine of your Project and Classic binders. The color adds aesthetics, easy location and matches branding of products!

The Naked Folder is a beautiful 100% recycled and recyclable folder that is 97% post consumer waste. Made from the same material as our binders, they are strong, look great, and match our binders!

We offer labels to easily and quickly customize your folder off of you own printer.  We have 4 styles of folder including a binder pouch - a folder that clips into your binder, one and two pocket options and a tri-fold folder.

Now we are making it easier for you to customize your own binders and folders to make them uniquely yours. Naked Binder is offering a labeling system that allows you to pick and choose options. From half sheets to different spine labels, you can add labels to your order and print them in your office or at home.

All the labels are full bleed labels, labels you can print to the edges.  Your only limitations are your imagination and, possibly, the rules of where you work.

I am constantly looking for ways to simplify and do the things I love. When I see a great idea I jump at it.  What struck me today was a furniture set that is collapsable, cool and funny.

With this, you could store furniture in a closet until you needed it. easy to move, fun to see and a DIY project all in one. I especially like the lamps.

Ok this may not be the answer to my life issues of over committing, but it is a fun way to condense and simplify your sitting needs.

We said they are strong. You say, "how strong?".

So, we had them flexed 50,000 times. They didnt change. You said, "That's nice. What about water?".

We set them out for 3 hours in the rain.  They were fine.

We set them out for a weekend of rain, they were fine.

You were still sceptical.

 So we put them through a dishwasher. Normal cycle, with soap (have the coffee cups in there too. We are not wasting the run) and the dry cycle. You know how hot the dishes get when you take them out of a fresh drying cycle? Try that with vinyl when you are getting rid of your machine.

Time passes.

The middle one was facing down and the water scootched it back and forth a lot (technical term).  They are a bit soggy, causing the bare board to sag. They are clean, though.

Bear in mind that these are bare board binders. No plastics, no vinyl, 100% recycled material, 97% post consumer waste. Admit it. you didnt think they would last at all. Neither did everyone here, though they are also worried about the coffee cups too.

So here is what happened when they dried out:

There is a little warp that can be easily straightened (these are "as is" - exactly as they dried).  The main problem with washing your binder seems to be that the constant rubbing when wet can leave scuff marks. We still don't recommend this, but it does show that these binders are strong.

What else would you like to know?

When we looked at the vinyl binder, we saw a lot of things, few of them endearing. So we set about making a better product.  We saw problems in looks (they are ugly), feel (they don't feel good to handle), toxicity (they are toxic to make, dispose of and if it ever happens recycle), strength (they fall apart quickly).

Strength. A binder that falls apart is not sustainable, it is disposable. The Naked Binder is built to last. We start with 110pt board and press a hinge into it.  There are no thin spots, no weak points. We tested them in a lab to 50,000 flexes and nothing changed. We subjected them to rain tests and even a dishwasher and the binders are still intact and usable.

Environmentally Friendly. We don't like toxic products in our lives.  I protect my child from lead paint and PVCs - so no vinyl binders in my house. Naked Binders are environmentally friendly in several ways.

First, they are made of 100% recycled paper or which 97% is post consumer waste (the rest is reused off the board making machine).

Naked Binders are 100% recyclable. Pop the ring out with a standard screwdriver and recycle the rings and paper.

Our whole process has been designed to eliminate waste and toxic methods. There are no added chemicals, inks, plastics.  The board is cut to minimize waste, with all waste going back into the recycling stream. Our packaging is recycled corrugate and waste from spine tape machines and other operations that would normally go directly to recycling but is given one more reuse.

Our board is FSC certified.

Acid Nuetral. Our board will not harm your papers. Acidic papers will start to yellow and destroy your papers (think cheap paperpack book, yellow and brittle). If you are storing for the long term, Naked Binders will not speed the aging process.

Well Designed. Why not have a binder that works well, feels and  looks good. You may have this binder for ten years or more, so it better look good on the shelf. We have a range of looks and colors (cotton book cloth spine wraps, FSC certified papers...) depending on your needs and moods. We have designed a labeling system that is easy to use, easy to modify and looks great.

Naked Binder is doing more than making 3-ring binders.  We are redefining the binder as an environmental, aesthetic and sustainable choice. Don't settle for buying 5 vinyl binders that you break and throw away when you have the choice to buy one Naked Binder instead.

So what is the fuss about? Polyvinyl chloride. The Canadian group Environmental Defence, working with the Center for Health, Environment and Justice in the U.S puts it this way,"Vinyl is the poison plastic. More toxic chemicals go into the manufacture of vinyl, more toxic chemicals leech out and evaporate out of vinyl as it's being used than any other type of plastic. We just wanted to alert parents to that situation." Their report says 'PVC plastic, across its life cycle, is a danger to human and environmental health and is especially unsafe because of chemical additives — including phthalates, lead and cadmium — used in its production.' Common school items that use this stuff? backpacks, binders, pencil cases...

There are alternatives to this, though most are not as readily available yet. VInyl binders are cheap because they are mass produced and the toxicity of the manufacturing and waste is not counted in the price. These should not go to a normal landfill even though millions do.

We at Naked Binder encourage you to look outside the big box store and consider your alternatives.  Yes, we are one. We believe Naked Binder is the best binder on the market - stronger (lasts longer), more environmentally friendly (100% recycled material, 97% post consumer waste) and better designed (wow they look good). Even with that said, We are encouraging you to look around at all your alternatives to PVCs for your kids health, your own health and for the environment.

Places to look for information and ideas: Fake Plasic Fish, Delicious Living magazine, Juniors Book, Natural Moms

"No plastic bags or metal objects will be accepted, namely three-ring binders and binder clips. Paper clips and staples can be accepted, representatives said."

Lets think about that. Most of your paper is stored in binders that can not easily be recycled.  In order to recycle that binder you have to

       a.  remove rings.

       b. slice open all the vinyl and remove the paper board hidden inside (three different area to work on)

       c. recycle the metal in the metal bin, the paper in the paper bin

       d. find a place that can recycle vinyl or send it back to the vinyl manufacturer (not the binder manufacturer - I      haven't found any of them who will take back their product and recycle it - why?  the cost is astronomical)

According to an online video, this takes only about 5-10 minutes if you have the tools handy and don't include the time spent trying to find someone to recycle the vinyl.  Postage to send the vinyl somewhere to recycle it?  About $1.20 is my guess. not horrible, but not great. If you value your time at minimum wage you are also investing another $1.20 for your ten minutes. So now your $3 cheap binder has cost you $5.40 assuming you spend no time gathering tools and researching where to send vinyl to recycle.

This is why most people throw them away. It is easier and we are used to the idea that there is somewhere to throw things (away).  Chances are, it will be in the local landfil that your tax dollars and garbage fees pay for. It will be there for the next 10,000 years disintegrating into smaller peices of vinyl that animals will eat. The chemicals will leach into the soil or the animals that eat it causing a host of other problems - possibly even to your drinking water.

Why do we care? We drink water, we have kids, dogs, friends with kids and dogs, friends...you get the picture.  We want the planet to continue in a way that makes it fun to be around.

Easy is not always in our best interests long term.  We have been trained to think short term and it has not worked out.  At Naked Binder, we try to look at what will happen in ten years, twnety five, a hundred.  Using only recycled and post consumer paper, we are saving trees (forests over time), we are using less water, less electricity, generating less air pollution. Our product is also non-toxic to make, to use and to recycle. Time spent to recyle a Naked Binder? Nine seconds, if you have a flathead screwdriver. At minimum wage that is $0.02. 

Start thinking long term and save money and the environment for you, your kids, your kids kids....you get the picture.

Impressing clients, whether they are people looking for architects, engineering, graphic design or fine arts, is all about the details.  What does it say to present a proposal in a vinyl binder?

Naked Binder offers a better alternative.  Our binders are well made from recycled materials.  They look great.  They feel great. They are easily labeled to show your brand.  Also, when all is said and done, assuming your client doesnt want to keep your amazing proposal forever (the binders are acid free), the binder is completely recyclable.

The Architect Binder is a recycled 11 x 17 binder that can't be beat. Horizontal scores on the binder offer stability, design and a label target.  Available in a 1" ring, this binder holds 170 sheets of paper.  This will soon be available in a 1.5" ring and we are adding a red spine option.

For more traditional proposals we have a myriad of options from the pure Naked Binder a blank canvas of 100% recycled and 100% recyclable wonder, to the Project Binder - a Naked Binder with a colorful bookcloth spine wrap for protection and looks, to the elegant Wrapped Binder covered in 30% post consumer Neenah Eames Paper.

When you need to impress, our environmentally friendly binders are craftsman made, well designed, and 100% recycled (97% post consumer waste board) and 100% recyclable. All this making you worry about price? Naked Binders are also competitively priced. Win win situation.

But then it rains. Now you are thinking 'Bare board binder?  raw binder? In the rain?'.  Do not panic. Naked Binder has done tests. While we don't vouch for the contents, you binder will live through darn near anything. If you like the stuff you put in a binder, don't leave it out in the rain.

Rain test #1:  Naked Binder - one fully recycled and recyclable bare board binder, one rain storm and puddle and 3 hours.

results:  The binder was soaking wet and limp when we took it in.  The big money was going against the home team. But... a few hours later, the binder had dried out, the binder was strong and worked perfectly.  We dried it out standing up, so there was a minor bend in the recycled board.  We corrected that by flexing it back. Binder is still in use. Results of Rain Test #1 are shown here:

Rain test #2: Naked Binder - A recycled bare board binder, a weekend of storms and a binder left out.

results: While an accidental test, the team descended on this binder like sharks.  This thing was soaking wet for two days. It too was dried out and worked perfectly. By now, the smart money is on the binder.

Our Testing Department no longer fears rain. so we move on to

Test #3: The dishwasher.  A full wash cycle of hot water against one bare board recycled binder. Lots of scepticism as to how this would turn out. Or the dishes.

results: The Naked Binder survived and like all the other tests, dried out beautifully and is use again.

So what are we to think about this?  A Naked Binder is far stronger than you may think. There is no way I am going through a dishwasher unscathed...and you run a good chance of melting a plastic or vinyl binder in there also. But if it does rain on your parade, have no fear. Your recycled binder will not go back to nature yet.  As for practical thoughts, um, if you store anything you want to keep in a binder... don't leave it out in the rain.  While your binder will be working for years to come, those notes of things you definately should never ever forget...yeah, well...they may not make it.

Soon you will be able to get folders in three styles, a binder pouch, and a clip in CD holder that match your binders.  It is true!  These folders are 100% recycled, 97% Post consumer waste and 100% recyclable. Nothing goes to waste.

Well made with turned edges for strength and longevity, these folders offer an alternative to laminated, plastic or otherwise non-earthfriendly products. All the material in these folders was once curbside waste in Connecticut, the 3% not counted in the Post Consumer Waste stream is waste off the manufacturing line which is put back into the stream.

Naked Binder makes the Greenest binder for the planet, and now the greenest folder for the planet. Keep an eye out, these will be released any day now!

We get calls and email asking why Naked Binder doesn't sell paper.  The real reason is that we don't manufacture it, though we are considering offering paper to make your lives easier.  Up to now, Naked Binder just had their superior, sustainable and pretty awesome binders on the site and nothing else.

Until we rectify this, let me direct you to some sources of recycled paper for your writing and work needs. This is what we have found:

New Leaf Filler Paper (100% recycled and 100% PCW) - we found it at World of good, which is an ebay offshoot,Buy Green and at New Leaf Paper themselves. They may have just upped their PCW content since some posts read 40% post consumer, but the new ones are all 100%.

Ampad® EnviroTech™ 100% Recycled Filler Paper (claim 100% recycled - 100% post consumer waste  These are available at Staples, and a lot of the big office stores.

I found information that EcoJot makes filler paper, though i could not find that on their site.

Boise Paper has the Aspen 100 which is 100% post consumer waste or the Aspen 50 - 50% recycled with 50% postconsumer recycled content for those who like a little fresh tree in their paper...

Sugar Earth dosen't seem to make notebook paper, but this is pretty cool anyway making products out of the waste of sugar cane plants after sugar production.

We havent tried all of these, but they will give you a good headstart in finding what you are looking for!

Naked Binder recommends taking some time to shut off the information streams.  Turn off the cell phone, tv, radio and computer. go outside and look at something green, clouds ... something not plastic. Walk in a park, talk to your spouse, sit in the grass. In our rush to dominate, win and work, we forget that sometimes we are a part of the world, not king of it.

Find ways to incorporate nature into your work day to keep you saner (and healthier studies show). Perhaps your day will feel a little calmer and in perspective.

Art by Andy Goldsworthy.

Naked Binder has decided to give you more options to look at than you can shake a stick at. These are by no means the whole list. Oh, no. But they make a nice representation of sources.  Design blogs have praised our recycled binder for its aesthetics, strength and content, green blogs have waxed poetic about the sustainable qualities of the binder - 100% recycled, 100% recyclable, long lasting as well as the fact that they just look good on the shelf and feel good in the hand.

Treehugger   - The Naked Binder: Recycled, Recyclable Folders for the Green Office

Design Milk - A design site that showcases and rates products

Happy Mundane - "I'm in love" - "binders are strong, and eco-friendly"

Pristine Planet - eco friendly products rated, presented, commented on

MetaEfficient - comparisons of sustainable recycled binders

Props and Pans - review site - "What’s not to love?"

Eco Office Gals - "durable, beautiful and useful products"

JD Organizer - offering a selection of recycled binder options

EarthFirst - 'Hot green Gear - the Naked Binder'

Monoscope - a sustainable and affordable 11 x 17 binder is hard to come by, these fit the bill

Appartment Therapy - Bridgit asked for suggestions to beautify her space - Naked Binders were suggested

1% for the Planet - just so you can see it for yourself.

Eco Salon - the greenest, most eco-friendly binder around

Connecticut Green Scene - excited about recycled binders originating in Connecticut post consumer waste

Naked Binder is working to change that. We spent a lot of time on design.  We eliminated everything that was not essential, paid attention to flaws in manufacturing of past binders, put sustainability in the forefront and pushed to advance the aesthetics of the binder.

Corners were rounded for aesthetics as much as strength and longevity.

The hinges are pressed into the board which makes them incredibly strong and gives a sense of through-line to the binder.  Being of one piece, the binder has a feeling of stability, simplicity and line.

On the 11x17 Architect binder, lines were pressed into the board, providing stability and elegance to what is usually a huge sheet of vinyl.

This type of moderist touch to a binder offers something extra when approaching a client or showing a portfolio.  It says that you not only care about the planet but also believe that commitment to the planet doesn't mean you have to give up aesthetics.

Naked Binder - designing for the planet.

On one hand, the commute is awesome. 15 minutes in "traffic", usually 10 minutes. The locals don't seem know they don't have traffic and get a bit stressed anyway, but I feel luxurious in my quick and painless motoring.  Plus, with my little Scion (old school XA), I only get gas every three weeks or so.

Food is an issue.  I got spoiled in the Bay Area - the best burritos, amazing food form every part of the globe, chefs starting hole in the wall eateries... 

The slow discovery of places, food, books, art comfortable hangouts and cool things has been hampered somewhat by a two-and-a-half year old who seems to have ideas of his own as to what is cool or even edible, but places have been found.  The Des Moines Art Center is remarkable for it's permanent contemporary collection and rotating traveling exhibits. If you are driving through - stop in.  It's free.

Farmers markets, parks, salvage yards - all located.  Met the Poet Laureate of Iowa in a bookstore.  Slowly connecting to the art scene, the east village (the hip area of town), and found an amazing place for getting good outdoor gear (this place is great - knowledgable, well stocked, kid friendly).

Even after a lot of exploring, I was excited to see the Design*Sponge write up on Des Moines by author of the blog yolksy, annie may. It lists Smash, Dorothea’s Closet Vintage, West End Archtiectural Salvage, La Mie Bakery, Market Street Media Foundry, RDG,  The Des Moines Social Club and many more things. 

Coffee, food, art, design - it is all here.  So next time you are driving accoss the country on I80, pull up the list and stop in.  You would be surprised what is hidden away in those smaller cities.

At Naked Binder, all jobs are everyone's job. Shipping, manufacturing, designing, marketing, cleaning up. Recycled binders can be hard work, so we want to celebrate all work.

To all those who work whether you create, perform, crunch numbers, teach, drive or answer phones.  This one is for you.  All Naked Binders are 20% off until Tuesday next. 

Just a little love to help your labors go a bit farther.  Not so much of a Labor Day Sale, as an appreciation.

Even with the economy making gains, Naked Binder has been getting calls from around the country to help getting kids adequate school supplies. Naked Binder gathered together and decided to do something about it. On top of deep teacher and student discounts, Naked Binder has donated binders all across the country, including 540 binders in its own back yard of Des Moines, Iowa. That is a skid of boxes of binders 6 feet high.

Beyond producing the best, most eco friendly 3-ring binders, Naked Binder has a commitment to giving back. We are a member of 1% for the Planet, donating as least 1% of sales to preserving wilderness areas and wild spaces. Naked Binder also feels strongly about community involvement. We have donated for AIDS Walk NY, Clean Water Action in Philadelphia, School environmental workshops and school Fundraisers in California as well as binders to Morehead State College in Kentucky.

Started in 2008, Naked Binder makes the most sustainable 3-ring binders in the world. Dedicated to making the most sustainable, recycled and recyclable binders in the world, we worked to simplify the manufacturing process, materials needed and the steps to recycle it again. We tested it to make sure it would last far longer than it's competition. We made them good looking, so people would want to keep them around. Crafted from 100% recycled board and 100% recyclable Naked Binders are strong, good looking and environmentally friendly.

Using recycled and recyclable papers and binders help preserve our natural resources in many ways. On top of not needing to harvest, haul and process trees, recycled paper uses less water and energy than paper using virgin wood. Because we take the end-of-life of a binder into consideration, Naked Binders don't add to landfill - where most other binders end up.

Supporting community, preserving resources and creating better looking, better performing products, Naked Binder is working to create a new way of thinking of business as a partner to the community and a steward to the environment.

We put a Naked Binder through the dishwasher.  Hot cycle. (We were doing dishes also, we didn't waste the run).

Guess who still has a binder? Oh yea!

Try that with any other binder and see what happens. These are recycled and recyclable binders that last. While this is not the recommended way to clean a binder, people here are curious to see what the limits of our binders are.

The common conception is that recycled = weak.  Well, our recycled binders can hold up to what you dish out.  We designed them to last, and last they do. Stay tuned for more photos and Naked BInder v. Dishwasher: The Movie.

100% recycled content.  That is not an empty promise.  Our background is in book making and we think like book binders.  We are using 110pt (that's a strong board for those of you who don't speak paper weights) binders board with a hinge pressed into the board.  Binder's board has been a recycled board since...even the board makers couldn't remember. He finally said, "forever".  Because it is traditioanlly covered on a hardcover book, most people have never seen it.  We have because that is how we roll.  The family has been making books or involved in book binding since the 1850s.

100% recyclable. Take a Naked Binder. Take a regular screwdriver. Pop, pull, recycle.  Metal in metal recycling. board in paper recycling. Our binders are designed to last 10 years, so you have a lot of time before this happens.

Why garbage?  We use no trees, less water and less energy to produce recycled board. The process also produces less waste.  Virgin wood is an expensive commodity. We at Naked Binder prefer to see trees outside in forests. We prefer it enough to be members of 1% for the Planet - donating 1% or all sales to preserving wilderness and wild areas.

So say it loud. Our binders are Garbage!  Possibly the best looking, most sustainable, strongest garbage you have ever proudly clipped your papers into.

In my case, I love the back country. Wilderness, wild areas.  When I need to clear my head and get perspective on life. The farther away you get from cell phones and cities, the more you see that you fit into a whole, much larger picture, as well as, in some cases - the food chain.

Naked Binder wants to be part of the larger picture, not just another company hoping to make it big.  Even before we had opened, we became members of the 1% for the Planet- donating 1% of our sales to saving wilderness and wild areas.  We also donate product to support the AIDS Walk NY,  clean water in the Delaware Gap, and lately, because we had so many requests, we are donating 5000 binders to schools in need across the country.

We see ourselves as part of a community of people, part of an eco system and part of a living, growing and changing country.  We will work to preserve wilderness as well as help out in hard times for those who need it.

The Naked Binder team and I want to encourage you to look up from your desk occasionally and keep that perspective in your life.  Help out those around you, do something fun at work or work for a cause greater than the paycheck. 

Have more fun, do more good.

A lot.

Naked Binder was started with an eye toward the "leave no trace" ethic of the wilderness.  Our binders are designed for all phases of existence - manufacturing (greener, leaner, closer), use (handsome, better working, longer lasting) and disposal (easily 100% recycled).

We use only 100% recycled board - no virgin wood goes into our binders board - therefore no deforestation, clear cutting, loss of natural resources. Also, using recycled paper uses less water, power and generates less pollution.

Our products are 100% recyclable. Pop those rings out and you have one thing for the paper waste bin and one for the metal waste bin.  It takes about 9 seconds to do (see handy video).

We are constantly eliminating waste. Our packaging boxes are 100% recycled corrugate and our internal packing is all reused and recycled material - much of it waste from a book spine tape machine in our plant.  We are not buying new paper and crumpling it. We have tailored our manufacturing process to cut waste and energy use by simplifying the process and shortening the path of the product to be manufactured.

Naked Binder has also created a product that will last. Our binders are designed to last ten years - those hinges will not break.  We had them tested to 50,000 flexes and there was no change. We round the corners to eliminate bending and especially in the larger sizes, we use the best rings available.

Because we want people to use these for so long, we spent a lot of time on the design. Round and square spines, wide color palette, elegant binders.  You want to use these for ten years.

So given these things, why is this any better?

In one word, vinyl.  The vinyl binder is made from Polyvinyl chloride or PVC. Many useful things are made from PVCs but there is no denying that it is toxic to make and recycle. It is estimated that over 80 million vinyl binders are made in the US each year.  They break easily (you can rip the spines open from day one) and are hard to separate into parts to recycle. Most people just toss them.  If 60 million end up in landfill each year that is 60 million pounds of binders, That vinyl will not degrade. It will break up in to little pieces, but it will be here 10,000 years from now. 

Without discussing off gassing, toxic cleanups, cancer rates downwind of plants and a host of other things, Naked Binder feels that this is a disingenuous way of working.  While the US is not charging products for end-of-life disposal yet, you are paying for everyone's vinyl binder in taxes paid toward opening, maintaining and cleaning up landfills.  Those $4-10 binders get very expensive over time.

Beyond keeping order and keeping your company afloat, you also can lobby for positive change in the company, lowering toxic outgassing of products, waste produced and costs.

Offices use a lot of binders.  Paper is generated, stored, purged and recycled, and the next cycle of paper comes though.  Everyone always wants a new binder because the vinyl binders start to look...abused after a short while.  With the issues of toxicity in creating PVCs, using PVC and recycling PVCs perhaps it is time to look outside of the box to bring harmony back to the office.

Naked Binders are created with 100% recycled material, 97% post consumer waste.  First all the good things: 100% recyclable, better looking, designed and tested to last ten years, no out gassing, no vinyl, plastics or toxins, feel good in the hand.

Now the bad news. Oh wait.  There is none.  The price is competitive with other binders on the market.  Especially in larger quantities, Naked Binder is in line with other binders on the market.  When you factor in that they last a lot longer - you are saving money for the company (one thing people all agree is good).

Also, the Sustainability Committee will love these. Designed with cradle to cradle concepts, these binders come from waste, last longer through more uses and then go back into the recycling stream. No landfill.

Go to www.nakedbinder.com for more information and styles or contact us at info@nakedbinder.com.

You will be the hero of the company.

While you could buy a pre-decorated fabric binder for your projects, there are options out there that will offer an unlimited amount of choices, are non-toxic and eco friendly to boot.

Naked Binder makes what may be the most environmentally friendly binder on the planet. 100% recycled material (97% post consumer waste), 100% recyclable and designed to last ten years of constant use.  The board we use is acid neutral, so it won't hurt the contents of you scrapbook (acid in paper will start to disintegrate anything it touches - like a cheap yellowing paperback).

Naked Binder doesn't offer a 12"x12" yet.  But that doesn't mean we can't. At this point we have four styles of binders in 8.5 x11" and 11x17" papers (that would be an awesome scrapbook!).  Take a look.  If you like what you see, let us know what binders you need.

Last week a friend and I hopped over the Lamark Col in California's Sierra Crest over to the Darwin lakes.  I didnt take this photo (we both forgot cameras) but you get an idea of the beauty. This is from the col at about 12,880 feet.

We saw marmots, pica, deer, golden trout, frogs, many different birds and not a lot of people.  We did descend into the Evolution Basin, which is more crowded, but spectacular.  We trotted up to Lake Wanda (which somehow in my head I had renamed Muriel and still prefer) and back up to the Darwin basin and then out over the Lamark Col again.

So what does this have to do with moving to Des Moines, Iowa away from these mountains? 

One of the first things I helped institute, even before the business was open was joining the 1% for the planet. Naked Binder donates at least 1% of its sales to preserving wilderness area, wild areas and restoring areas that have been damaged.

Naked Binder is designed to stay out of landfills, use only recycled paper, and be 100% recyclable - agian helping preserve our resources and put less pressure on the wild places. I work everyday to try to keep us on track - clean green and better.

So why?  Wild areas give us focus.  Here you carry what you need, you walk where you want to go and live quietly on the planet.  The icy water you dive into wakes you up and clears your head. The silence you hear quiets the jumbled thoughts in your head.  The exercise you get stimulates your mind and body, and the proximity to bears, rock fall and ever changing weather put you firmly back into the food chain - keeping you thinking and humble.

To help preserve, conserve and rebuild such areas is a Quixotic quest, but one worth doing. Even if it means being away from my favorite haunts.  Naked Binder is possibly the best 3-ring binder on the market - strong, handsome and recycled - but on top of that, it is helping eliminate toxins and waste while protecting our most precious wilderness.

I'm on my way.  First to visit some friends, then 4 days in the back country of the Sierra Mountains in California.  I have spent a lot of time out there, but I am going a new area and looking forward to granite landscapes and shooting stars.

For those of you who are starting to feel discontected from the natural world, I just want to say, take the big step and get out of town.  Sit in a prairie, walk in the desert or hike in the hills. The double sense of smallness and fitting in to the greater puzzle will help put your life back in focus.

At the very least, you will get a walk, and into a new place.

I'll post pictures when I get back. Take care in your lives.

We stock inventory so you don't have to. Naked Binder offers the convinience of ordering any quantity from one binder to 10,000. Under 200 binders generally ships the next day. 

Our pride in craftsmanship shows, as does our 150 year history in book binding.  Naked Binders are built to last with the same care and craft as a fine book.

Flexible Poly Vinylchloride has many additives (Pthalates) to keep it flexible. Because soft PVC toys have been made for babies for years, there are concerns that these additives leach out of soft toys into the mouths of the children chewing on them. Phthalates mimic human hormones and also affect various life forms including fish and invertebrates adversely.  While the Vinyl Institute claims there are no health risks associated with their products, The EU banned some additives for kids toys, car manufacturers have eliminated PVC from their car interiors and many businesses and stores are limiting its use.

So why buy a vinyl binder?  I guess you could be a risk taker and hope for the best.

Naked Binder offers a bare board binder - no vinyl, no plastics and no toxins.  These binders are 100% recyclable, and the board is 100% recycled (97%PCW). Our binders will last for far longer than the vinyl (designed to last 10 years) and they look and feel better. 

Better, stronger and non-toxic. hmmmm, what to do? Well, let you back to school reasoning tell you that green eco friendly saving the planet, longer lasting non-toxic is the way to go. (deep breath).

Naked Binder is working to provide you with the best eco freindly, sustainable binders and supplies and we want your help.

We are expanding the Naked Binder line right now, adding more sizes, more options and even more products.  But we want to know what do you want?  If you have something you just can't find anywhere else, let us know.  If we aren't working on it already, we will get on it.

Guidelines?  Not really.  We are mainly concentrating on offie, school and art supplies, but will consider anything. Let us know.  Want a really cool recycled pocket folder?  An amazingly recyclable and strong cd holder?  Something acid free to hold variable sized art projects? 

Let us know, we will get on it.

So we looked into option.  First we found the PeaPod. This 'neighborhood' electric car somes with a big smile. You may not feel tough or roadwarrior-like but I'll bet you get a great reaction at the local biker bar.  It's 30 mile range seems light until you consider that you never really go that far anyway (unless you live in LA where a trip for food could take a day or two).

Speaking of biker bars, Mission One just trotted out there new electric motocycle that has a 150 mile range and can go 150 mph - vvvveeeeerrrrrryyyyy quietly.  Spooky really.  But pretty. and very cool.

Much work has been done on the new product line (coming soon!) including new offerings, colors and styles. Many samples made, tested, inspected, poked and just thought about.  This new line will be all FSC certifed binders and will be even better, if possible, than the current Naked Binder line. Still all recycled, stronger than ever and super handsome binders.

It also means if Sustainable is correct, there will be three FSC certified binder companies on the market and two of them will be us. Our sister company, Corporate Image binders are already FSC Certified. 

This week we have been working with some great companies, starting some new friendships and working out details.  Thanks to everyone we have been working with this week! 

Also, thanks to the Design crew and production crews for getting all 5 skids of samples together. Dang.  That is a lot of sample product. And it looks great.

Have a great weekend, out and about in the world.  Remember: Recycle, Reuse.  Don't buy anything you don't have to, and reuse everything you can. Me, I'm installing a rain barrel. A bit late for the rainy season, but, still going to help out the garden!

Take care!

Vinyl is toxic to produce, toxic to recycle and will stay in a landfill for thousands of years. A vinyl binder also relies on a tiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnny piece of vinyl to hold the covers on.

Go green for back to school supplies and get a product that is non-toxic to make and use, recycled and recyclable, will last much longer and even looks and feels better. I won't lie, they cost a little more, but if it lasts a whole year, or two or ten then you are saving money.

Lets see some Naked Binder facts:

Made locally (an all US product) - less travel from far off lands = less carbon emissions, also workers earning fair pay.

Recycled - our bare board binders are made with 100% recycled board, 97% is post consumer waste from Connecticut.

Recyclable - Naked Binders are 100% recyclable, alternatively, you could compost them.

Strong - Naked Binder sent our products to an independant lab.  They started flexing the binder (opening and closing) when they got to 50,000 flexs they called and said - 'um... how long do you want us to go on?' There was no change in the board.  Try that with vinyl.

Good Looking - well, you be the judge. Can your vinyl binder look this good? We think not.

Besides recycling and changing your light bulbs, driving less, eating vegan food, reusing everything and having an organic farm in your back yard, you spend time planting trees in clear cuts areas, nursing baby owls, replanting prairie, cleaning super fund sites and working to protect watershed areas.

You are a hero.

And you are exactly the person we are looking for.

Naked Binder is not only about producing a better recycled and sustainable binder. Don't get me wrong, that is our focus - ending the scourge of vinyl binders across the land - but we are active in supporting organizations, groups and individuals who are active on the front lines.  Contact us.  We can't help everyone, but we can try.  Drop us a line. Let us know what you are doing and what you need.  If we can help, we will.  We know you have paper to organize, let us help you save the planet in our own small way.

Many if not most firms recycle (there is at least one firm in San Francisco that has their own paper recycler) all the paper.  Most of the firms and lawyers I know are trying to green up the workplace, but many dont think about what they store the paper in.

Binders. Vinyl Binders.  Law firms buy them in bulk, use them, destroy them and toss them.

Naked Binder would like to respectfully offer a green, recyclable binder alternative. 

Lets start with the problems with vinyl.  Manufacturing, creating and recycling vinyl is toxic, produces by-products and involves much petrochemical fun.  If you happen to want to recycle it, it is hard to find a place to do so.  Sure you could pay another $3 to send it back to the company, but then the cost savings of $2 is shot. Even worse, they fall apart.  Having a binder held together by a thin strip of increasingly more brittle vinyl is not inspiring confidence. Nor should it. For those of us who have tried to extend the life of those binders with tape, even that is a losing battle. (gaffers tape is the best - a bit pricey, but holds it together for another month)

Now lets look at the alternative. Naked Binder. Naked Binder is dedicated to making the most sustainable, recycled and recyclable binder in the world. They worked to simplify the manufacturing process, materials needed and the steps to recycle it again, tested it to make sure it would last far longer than it's competition and made them good looking, so people would want to keep them around.

Recycled, easily and completely recyclable, strong and good looking. That sounds like a binder to love.  Naked Binders are designed to last 10 years.  Tested to 50,000 flexes with out change, 3 hours in a tumble test with no problems.  In the larger sizes, we use double locking EZ-D rings to insure your paper stays where you want it. So good looking you can use them as a design element.

Turn your Law Firn into a real eco powerhouse.  Store your paper in a binder that will outlast any biner you have, looks better and is 100% recyclable.  Whether you are an environmental law firm, or just environmentally concious, these binders will help your look, protect your papers, and help the environment.

Expanding colors, expanding sizes, expanding minds.

As always, these eco friendly binders are made from 100% recycled, 97% post consumer waste board with a spine pressed into the board for strength and longevity.  The 110pt board is sturdy enough for anything you throw at it, and the horizontal lines pressed into the binder offer both a beautiful design element and help the binder keep its shape.

These binders have been tested to 50,000 flexes without change, making it one of the strongest binders in the world. try this with vinyl! You'd have three pieces of binder faster than you could say toxic waste.

Well designed, eco friendly and now with new color and new sizes: The Architect binder is the best 11x17 binder around.

Much like Naked Binders which allow you to keep saying what you want to with new messages labeled, carved and printed on the binders, now your clothes can do the same!

I saw this on Inhabitots which is an awesome site touting "Sustainable Design for the Next Generation".  I justify my visits to the site by my 2 year old son, but really I love this stuff. Solar powered lamps, chalkboard t-shirts... wait, what?

That is what I am talking about.

Now I love the idea of crafting your own message for the day on the shirt, or having the little man draw his own. This shirt will never go out of style!  They have a whole bunch of sillouettes that you can choose from and the shirt has a built in chalk pocket. ChalkboardTee makes these so check them out!

Vinyl binder seems like a good deal. At $7.50 (on sale - normally these are $11.91)

Naked Binder $10

Lets ignore toxicity issues in manufacturing and outgassing in Vinyl. We can even eliminate the recyclability issue and the amount of recycled content. Lets forget the environment completely for a moment.

Lets break down the cost and use issues. How it is made:

Vinyl: A vinyl binder has three pieces of board covered in vinyl and help together by the vinyl between them.  That is two sheets of vinyl hot pressed together.  Things to know: vinyl will become more brittle with age, use and if left in the sun - This is the weak spot that normally tears apart after a month of so of use. Advantages: the new binder is water resistant.

Naked Binder: The Naked Binder is made with one 110pt board with the spine pressed into the board which eliminates weak points.  We had them tested to 50,000 flexes and there is no change. These are designed to last ten years. not months (which is long for most binders) but years. Disadvantage with bare board: not water resistant - but bonus - they do fine drying out after submersion.

Rings:  The Vinyl and Naked Binder both use D-rings for the 2" binder.  Naked Binder uses the double locking EZD ring which is the top ring you can get.  Having 450 sheets of paper fly out of a binder is never going to be fun.

How it will be used:

The Naked Binder will last longer in general and intensive use. If you are using a binder in a law firm or anywhere that is active in using your binders, this is something to consider. If your binder and/or the ring give out on your way to court, a proposal or anywhere you are going to be...less than pleased. Since it lasts, the Naked Binder can be reused time and time again. So one binder can do the work of several (or more) vinyl binders.

Now where is the cost savings?

Stop right there. You want something that says "Wow!" not "I don't care". You have options that will show off your knack for finding well designed products as well as highlight your commitment to eco friendly living.

Naked Binder has your answers.  100% recycled board, 97% post consumer waste, 100% recyclable, non-toxic, acid free and good looking. With four styles to choose from, you can even get these in 11x17 tabloid size.

The Naked Binder is the simple pristine binder with curb appeal. Made of 110pt binders board, designed and tested to last ten years and infinitely modifiable, labelable and screenable - these binders offer a blank canvas for your genius.

The Project Binder adds a colorful cotton spine wrap which extends the life of the binder even more, and adds a bit of color to your proposal.

These binders can be labeled, wrapped, screened, carved, written on, decoupaged, painted... Anything you can imagine to make your proposal stand out.

You work hard on your proposals and craft.  Make sure you deliver it in a package that works as hard as you do.

(via Apartment Therapy, Boston)

If you have an urge, these bare board binders screen really well. Stock up at Urban Posture and then try your own!

On a personal level, I know a lot of people conserving, recycling, using less, growing more - generally doing all the right things.  I believe this will help - the biggest change is in personal habits.

As a guy who runs a business, I understand that change is hard in a set culture, but the businesses need to lead the way - offering solutions rather than stay the course and hope for the best.  Naked Binder is a small company pushing hard for corporate accountability. Corporate habits are hard to break, but the possibilities are amazing.  We can use less water, energy, materials and create a better product. We can educate, help schools, donate to fundraisers and protecting wildlife. Business needs to get out of the comfort zone and start to lead the way in creating sustainable future.

Go get inspired, help prod your government and the businesses you buy from to become more sustainable now.  We can't wait forever.

In these new photos, you can see the quality work you are getting.  The spine is pressed directly into the board, so there are no weak spots to fall apart, the cloth is evenly and permanently bonded onto the board protecting the spine and adding life to the binder. These rings are double locking EZ-D rings with the slant D. When you put 500 sheets of paper in here, you want to be sure it stays put.  These rings are great quality, long lasting and easy page turning.

A binder you can be proud of. And use for the next ten years.

You Tube has a series of videos of nijinski dancing.  For those of you not in the know, Nijinski was the worlds best dancer around 1910ish.  There is absolutely no original video of him and he stopped at about 27 so didnt perform long enough for footage to have been shot.

But check these out! Super fun and amazing.

More Naked Binder stuff later - remember 20% off this week!

This is a great chance to get those binders you have been wanting and you can do it while you grill.  Order Friday the 26th through July 6 and get 20% off of a line of sustainable binders that are non-toxic, acid neutral, strong, recycled and recyclable. 100% recyclable.  These binders are designed to last up to ten years and tested by independant labs. They look good, they ARE good and they are non-toxic.  By lasting at least 2-3 times longer than an average binder, they save you money.

Sustainable binders need to have a few properties.  They need to work, they need to be something you want to use, they need to last, they need to be made from 100% recycled materials and they need to be 100% recyclable. Naked Binders are all these things. Made from 100% recycled binders board, 97% PCW and 100% recyclable these binders are the greenest binder available.  They last longer, look better and have been tested to 50,000 flexes without even noticable change. (try that with vinyl).

Strong, recycled and handsome, these are the binders you have been looking for.

Wait just a minute here. After all that care and forethought you bought an outgassing, toxic processing, short lived binder to hold your documents? 

You can do better and save money doing it. Naked Binder has created a line of sustainable binders that are non-toxic, acid neutral, strong, recycled and recyclable. 100% recyclable.  These binders are designed to last up to ten years and tested by independant labs. They look good, they ARE good and they are non-toxic.  By lasting at least 2-3 times longer than an average binder, they save you money.

Sustainable binders need to have a few properties.  They need to work, they need to be something you want to use, they need to last, they need to be made from 100% recycled materials and they need to be 100% recyclable. Naked Binders are all these things. Made from 100% recycled binders board, 97% PCW and 100% recyclable these binders are the greenest binder available.  They last longer, look better and have been tested to 50,000 flexes without even noticable change. (try that with vinyl).

Put the design attention invested in your building, ethic and workspace into your binders bin.  Match colors, invent new labels and have a non-toxic work place.

Naked Binder makes a binder called the Architect Binder, an 11x17  binder designed based on the work of Le Corbusier, with horizontal lines running the length of the binder adding strength and beauty.

These binders are sturdy - tested to 50,000 flexes, good looking, 100% recycled board - 97% PCW, well designed and economical.  Check them out now!

"For over a decade, American sculptor Tara Donovan has transformed huge volumes of everyday items into stunning works of phenomenal impact. Layered, piled, or clustered with an almost viral repetition, these products assume forms that both evoke natural systems and seem to defy the laws of nature."

While she is not recycling to make these, she is looking at things around her in a new way. Scotch tape, tooth picks,are all fodder for her art. Not to put too fine a point on this but looking at the world around you in new ways not only opens numerous possibilities, but makes your life a much more interesting place to be.

Tara Donovan has a show loading in at the Des Moines Art Center on June 19th. If you happen to be in Iowa, don't miss it.  It may just open your eyes to the wonders of the styrofoam cup.

Tooth picks - 1 meter square.

Styrofoam cups.

We picked a few photos from NeoCon 2009 to show you how:

Shawn Barrett and Ki designed these awesome chairs for schools / classrooms.

A great series of colors that match our darker set of Project Binders.  These binders are 100% recycled material (97% PCW) and 100% recyclable.

Knoll has these great colors for their office set up.  You could mix and match the same colors or use new ones to make it pop.

Naked Binders are non-toxic binders. They wont out-gas and they are acid-neutral so they won't harm the contents of the binder.

 This is a great office. 

It looks as if you could walk out into the woods from the door.  There is natural light, a beautiful wood table, old ceilings and flooring.

How could you dump a vinyl binder here? Almost any color would do - bright colors stand out and mirror the outdoors, while the darker colors keep in the muted shades of old wood and paint.

What you put into your office should merit the same attention you put into designing and creating your office. Carry your love of good and green design into the materials that you use everyday. Naked Binder has a line of colors, options and ring sizes that can help finish your dream office in style.

You are the best.

And for going the extra mile, putting up with all the problems, headaches, frustrations and shortcomings ( along with the beautiful Aha! moments and proud 'watch them get it' days) Naked Binder is offering 30% off to teachers and schools who want the best recycled and recyclable 3-ring binder available.

For those of you stumbling on to this, here is why you might want Naked Binders:

1> They are stronger. Tested to 50,000 flexes, and tumble tested.  These are designed to last 10 years. While a third grader may be able to age anything prematurely, these have a better chance of living through the year than any other.

2> Non toxic.  Kids have enough toxins in their lives. There are no toxins in this binder.  We still wouldn’t eat it - but mostly because it doesn’t taste good. Vinyl is toxic to make, toxic as it out-gasses and toxic to recycle.  Naked Binder is not made with petrochemicals.  It is pressed board and either paper or cotton. Metal rings riveted in.

3>Recycled and recyclable.  Our board is 97% PCW and 100% Recycled.  When you are done with the binder,pop the rings out. The rings go in the metal recycling bin, the rest in the paper recycling bin. We cutting down on water, trees and  air pollution by using 100% recycled paper.  Ask the EPA and the Center for Ecological Technology.

4> More fun. These are bare board binders.  They can be decorated, marked, drawn on, personalized, screened and labeled. Do what you will, just send us pictures.

You will have to call these orders in instead of ordering online, but you will not receive junk mail, spam or any other solicitations from us.  Just awesome binders and a discount.

2.    More options.  We will be filling in the sizes of the Naked Binder, Project Binder and Wrapped Binders so that they will be available in 1”, 1.5”, 2” and 2.5” D-rings.

3.    FSC Certification.  Coming up!  We will let you know when we get official.

4.    Finger pulls!  No lie.  We will be offering the Square Backed binders with a ring pull option.  They look great.  To insure recyclability, we will be putting in a “naked” finger pull – no metal.  We have been testing them and they work great.  The final tests will be done soon for longevity.  You know us, things have to be strong.

5.    Upcoming sale.  Got some July 4th love coming up.
 

"Nothing You Do Is So Small As To Not Make A Difference.

“None of this small stuff that I am doing is making a difference, so why bother doing it at all?” Heard that before? I hear it all the time, so it never surprises me when I hear it again. Seems that there are many people who only see positive events when giant corporations or industries make changes, without taking into the account what happens when the collective “we” make millions of small changes. Just because you cannot see what each person is doing in their own life, doesn’t mean it isn’t making a difference.

Each and every single little thing you do helps. Every single little thing."

The blog goes on and you should read it.  here

For corporations intent on marketing big dramatic gestures create the biggest stir and get noticed. But conservation is not about having people think you are the greatest, but about actually conserving. And everything you do adds up.

Turning off lights, unplugging appliances, recycling waste, changing to better bulbs, eating organics, not eating meat every day  even in moderation the effect is felt in the energy saved, pesticides not used, and conserved water/corn/pesticides/resources. Each time you don't buy a new plastic item, someone needs to make one less, order one less leading to resources conserved and toxins not generated.

Lttle steps, little things are huge.

Lets examine cost.  Lets say you buy a Project binder with a 2" D ring. For a vinyl binder you pay around $6-7 for a basic black binder.  This is a binder you are using for work, so you may want to upgrade to a nicer look - oops up to $10 - 15 for vinyl, much more for leather, fancy papers or custom. Cost is an issue so we are back to $6 each.

You take your new binder back to work.  6-8 people use it a day, everyday.  Three months later, you are back buying a new binder (OK, this happened I used to run a climbing gym in San Rafael, CA - Class 5, one of the Touchstone Climbing gyms in the Bay).

So now we step back and start again.  Instead of vinyl, you buy a Naked Binder.  You spent $10. Same use patterns, but a year later that binder is still working. Working well, looking good and in constant motion.  Now you have saved money - 4 binders x $6 = $24.  1 x $10 = $10.  You have $14 to buy burritos for the staff. 

But it doesnt stop there, that binder will last for many years.  Lets say 3 years before someone who shall remain nameless uses it for discus practice. That is $72 in vinyl - un-recyclable, toxic and ugly vinyl.  And you have saved $62 per binder you use.

Good job, bonus time.

How do we know it lasts?  I tested them in a climbing gym - a brutal environment for anything not made of iron.  Then we had them tested by an independent lab - first they did a flex test. 50,000 times opening and closing and the binder looked new.  Next a tumble test. 3 hours dropping and bouncing - supposed to simulate 10 years of wear. Here is a photo:

This is AFTER the test.  After 3 hours of bouncing, falling and tumbling. You can see the "damage" below.  Yup, that fabric looks a little bit worn (see close up). But, the corners are still straight, the binder is holding up fine.

Naked Binder isn't just a recycled product, it is a better product.  Save money and the environment by buying smarter.

Naked Binder

Working Cleaner, Closer, Greener, Longer, and Recyclable Naked Binders have set the bar on green binders.  We made these binders better looking, better for the environment and better performing than any other binder we could find.

Corporate Image is one of our sister companies making custom binders, folders and everything else. Corporate Image is where you go for printed, stamped and high quality products.  An FSC certified printer/manufacturer, they have been green for a long time.  Using recycled papers, recycled board and soy inks, these people know how to keep it green.

Say you need to preserve something precious.  Acid free papers, document storage preservation community are at Archival Products.  Through the years, Archival has developed new and innovative solutions for preservation and conservation as well as devices to make those products. They consider research and development a continual process. Through collaboration of colleagues and our development team, ideas evolve from exploration, development, analysis and refinement to the final product.

And, other schools, organizations that need things?  let us know.  We will do what we can and try to publish it everywhere we can to get the word out.

The email:

"I am leading an effort on our campus to start a “free store” for students who find themselves in a financial pinch or just don’t have the money to meet their basic living needs.  We are going to offer school supplies, basic toiletries, clothing, and food.  Cool idea, right, but what does it have to do with you?  I’m asking companies, vendors and media outlets to send us items to help us stock it.  Anything from pens, cleaning supplies and kitchenware to t-shirts, backpacks and binders.  Anything a college student may need! We’ll put it to good use and list you as a sponsor.  Thank you for your consideration.

Jami Hornbuckle

j.hornbuckle@moreheadstate.edu
Assistant Vice President for Communications and Marketing
Morehead State University
14 Allie Young
Morehead, KY  40351

More about Morehead State
We are a public, regional university in eastern Kentucky that serves one of the poorest regions in the country.  Over 90% of our students receive some form of financial aid.  Morehead State has been recognized for the fifth consecutive year as one of the top public universities in the South in the 2009 edition of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S.News & World Report. MSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools (SACS)."

Where, you ask, can I get a huge recycled binder, a recyclable binder with good looks and that will last forever?

Naked Binder! 

It has to be pretty, say in Green - a green binder!

- or Blue.  What about that?

Oh yes. That we can do.

Will it last?  is it strong?

Like any Naked Binder, the new big binders are made to last. Tested to 50,000 flexes, tumble tested for three hours, rain tested just to see.  These binders are strong.

Is it a sustainable binder? 

Our Means

Cleaner - We avoid using toxins in manufacturing, packaging and shipping, minimize waste and recycle nearly everything.

Closer - Naked Binders are made in the US.  The recycled content comes from the state of Connecticut, is made into binders board in Chicago and is manufactured in Des Moines, IA. 

Greener - Our board is 100% recycled - 97% post consumer waste.  The entire binder is recyclable when you have managed to wear it out.  It is also a blank slate for you to personalize - no need to run out and buy plastic binders - you can label or mark these binders directly.

Longer - tested to 50,000 flexes by an independant lab, these are one of the strongest binders on market.  They will last.  I've used mine for 11 years for all my bills and tax info.  I still use it.

Recyclable - Every product we make is 100% recyclable.

Is it a Vegan Binder?

Oh yes it is. Though it is constantly being tested on office cubicle dwellers.

The built environment is the one most of us spend most of our time in.  Freeways, vinyl, plastic, electric lights, emmissions and smells -  If you are really busy even your houseplants die before helping your air - we do less here than anywhere else.

I am as guilty as the next person, but I am trying hard to use the same urge to pick up any scrap in the back country to clean up my surroundings at home.  I have been preserving my house - insulating with the least toxic stuff I could find, keeping the houseplants alive (OK most of them) and starting a garden, getting  rain barrel, driving less and a high miliage car.  I don't have vinyl binders, but I am probably in the best place not to have them.

Look around your house, see where you are skimping on your health and well being.  Lets face it. you of all people are worth spending the time and energy on. Upgrading the little things adds up.

Things to know - The fine people of Naked Binder will be off for Monday the 25th of May, but the website will be out there.  All orders will be filled tuesday.

In other news, our lovely recycled binders will be available in square-back in the larger sizes (2" and 2.5" rings) next week. 

Also, we are testing out the architect binder with a prined wrap on the spine... look out.  these are hot.

Nuff said.  We are finishing up and out of here.  Take care and be safe over the Holiday!

Ken

So here it is, the making of a green binder:

Naked Binder can help.  We put our top experts thinking caps on and came up with this. Tools you need: Naked Binder. Screw driver or other pry device.  Your car jack would work, or a crow bar.  Really, you can do this with out any help, but it is more fun this way.

We have gone great lengths to show that green doesn’t have to mean flimsy, mundane and boring.

Naked Binder is a kind of Clark Kent of the binder world.  Sitting on the shelf they shine with an eco friendly elegance. At work, they get down and dirty and last longer than any vinyl binder ever will.  These binder have been tested by an independant lab to 50,000 flexes without change.  They have spent three hours in a tumble test (said to be an equivalent of 10 years of abuse, with only slight cosmetic damage.  We have left them in puddles and the rain, pulled and beaten, flexed and tiwsted them to create the most sustainable binder on the market.

Naked Binder offers a recycled binder that helps lower your environmental footprint.  Using recycled paper means no trees were harmed to make this, as well as using less energy, creating less pollution and not ending up in a landfill.

Concerned about price?  You should be, times are hard.  The naked binder costs more than vinyl.  Or does it?  How long does that vinyl binder last? Lets compare the Naked BInders project binder with a 2.5" D ring to a vinyl couterpart. With the wieght of the paper in that binder, the vinyl binder may last four or five months before you are duct taping it together.  When will the Naked Binder fall apart? It won't.  The spine is pressed into the 110pt board, so there are no weak points.  The ring we use is a double locking sturdy ring which will outlast the one you got on sale. 

If you buy less binders a year, you are saving money. Wait that was fun to say. Saving money.  Our binders last well over twice as long, are reuseable, and will stay good looking. Plus, for those buying in bulk, we offer discounts.

Naked Binder.  Offering eco-friendly elegance while saving money.  Now that is super.

Let us know what you think!

 Yes, folks, you in the Chicago region now have your chance to handle, inspect and even get a Naked Binder. This Green Festival is huge so go early to booth 117-119 to get one.

When?

This weekend! 

May 16 and 17th, 2009!!

What would you be getting?  Only the best designed, strongest, most sustainable binder. 

     •100% Recycled Bare board binder - 97% Post consumer waste

     •100% recyclable Binder.  Yes that is right.  100%.

     •Strong.  Independantly tested to 50,000 flexes, and three hours in a tumble test.  Made to last for 10 years.

     •Unlike vinyl, unlike corrugate, these look and feel great. You get choices of colors, 11x17, 8.5x11, and styles

So who is this EcoScene?  Chicago, you ought to know - they are a hometown organization that tests and endorses green products for you.  You can read about them here or go to their site here.  Naked Binder is nesting with them in the Green Festival - so check them out, and check us out. and enjoy Chicago.

Here is what it looks like (click it to go to a much bigger version that you can read)

While I don't necesarily want to promote peoples books, and I admit that I havent read it (planning to), I love maps and am interested in the representation of how information flows in the green online communities.  I realized that Naked Binder is underrepresented in certain areas, and perhaps relying too much on others.

The internet can feel very vague sometimes, a mass of information with no way to conceptualize it.  Sometimes you feel up against a wall of information.  A visual map can give a sense of direction to the information and it's flow. 

I trained people to rock climb for many years, teaching basic technique, training and technical rock climbing.  As a general rule, if you want to improve quickly you concentrate on your weakest areas.  Using this map allows you to get a quick idea of where you are weak and  concentrate effort there.

This map may change dramatically every few months - who knows?  but for now, it offers a great way to get your bearings and move forward.

Strong, Green and Handsome. A recycled binder with flair.

For those who don't know we took an ecological and design disaster and made it better - better looking, better working and better for the environment.  Our binders are made from 100% recycled board (97% PCW) and are 100% recyclable.

So here I am driving from Des Moines, IA to Madison, WI.  Thunderstorms are all around and farmers are working to get fields planted, there is a nearly full moon and the sun is setting.  This is great - Norman Rockwell meets Eva Hesse.

I can't help but thinking about the planting cycle - a true recycling of seasons, work, soil and seeds.  Much like recycling of paper, there is something lost - energy, soil nutrients, time.... But the cycle continues.  Eventually, both cycles will wear out.  Soil will grow weak with lost nutrients unless replenished.  Paper fibers will break down after numerous trips through the recycling process until they no longer hold together in the same way.

This tie to the growing cycle should, it would seem, makes me think that we should be considering new ways of dealing even with fully recycled products.  This is still a limited resource.  We need to find ways to make our products more sustainable, use less of them and extend their life in the recycling process.  Find ways of adding new fibers - fertilizing as it were.

While we think over these things, I am going to enjoy the storms.

We have gone great lengths to show that green doesn’t have to mean flimsy, mundane and boring.

Naked Binder is a kind of Clark Kent of the binder world.  Sitting on the shelf they shine with an eco friendly elegance. At work, they get down and dirty and last longer than any vinyl binder ever will.  These binder have been tested by an independant lab to 50,000 flexes without change.  They have spent three hours in a tumble test (said to be an equivalent of 10 years of abuse, with only slight cosmetic damage.  We have left them in puddles and the rain, pulled and beaten, flexed and tiwsted them to create the most sustainable binder on the market.

Naked Binder offers a recycled binder that helps lower your environmental footprint.  Using recycled paper means no trees were harmed to make this, as well as using less energy, creating less pollution and not ending up in a landfill.

Concerned about price?  You should be, times are hard.  The naked binder costs more than vinyl.  Or does it?  How long does that vinyl binder last? Lets compare the Naked BInders project binder with a 2.5" D ring to a vinyl couterpart. With the wieght of the paper in that binder, the vinyl binder may last four or five months before you are duct taping it together.  When will the Naked Binder fall apart? It won't.  The spine is pressed into the 110pt board, so there are no weak points.  The ring we use is a double locking sturdy ring which will outlast the one you got on sale. 

If you buy less binders a year, you are saving money. Wait that was fun to say. Saving money.  Our binders last well over twice as long, are reuseable, and will stay good looking. Plus, for those buying in bulk, we offer discounts.

Naked Binder.  Offering eco-friendly elegance while saving money.  Now that is super.

What to do?

Well, go the the Green Festival in Denver, find the ecoscene booth and pick up a Naked Binder sample.We sent 6 different colors of binders, so you should be able to find one that says YOU. 

What are these Naked Binders?

Good question. 100% recycled board (97% PCW), 100% recyclable binders.  These are a well designed, sturdy binder with a great feel in the hand.  A green binder to be proud of.  We have done flex testing and drop testing on these binders. 50,000 flexes - no change.  3 hours in a tumble test (actually, yes, similar to a dryer, but different) - very little wear.  Three hours in the rain in a puddle - dried out - still a solid binder. (That last one wasnt a lab, but us being curious)

These are probably the most eco friendly binder on the planet. Made from post consumer waste from Connecticut, made into board in Chicago, made into binders in Des Moines. (no, corn. Iowa is corn, Idaho is potatos).  Some are Naked binders - nothing but board, some have cotton stine wraps - project binders, some are fully wrapped binders - in a Neenah Eames charcoal gray paper (Green Seal approved). We even have a recycled binder that is for 11 x 17 paper - the architect binder.  These sustainable binders are also avialable in larger ring sizes a 2" or 2.5" D ring.

So get one for free and check it out.  Denver. The Green Festival. May 2 and 3.

Naked Binders are getting out there into the world and people are dressing them up.

UrbanPosture  is an etsy store run by a local artist, Leslie Poyzer.  After a few initial tests screening onto our binders, she now has series of binders soon to appear on her shop.

Just one more idea of how you can dress up / personalize your own binders.

Check out her shop at

urbanposture.etsy.com

Vinyl – an examination
Developed in the 1920s, vinyl has become a ubiquitous part of our life. It is in our medical supplies, baby toys, phones, shower curtains, clothing, flooring, paints and more. It is a very useful substance.  So why are so many people trying to get it out of our lives?

Fossil fuels
PVC is made up of chlorine (57%) and natural gas of crude oil (43%).  It takes less oil to make PVC than many other polymers.  While the Vinyl Institute claims this shows how environmentally friendly it is,I can't help but seeing this as a glass half full. Or 43% full as it were.

Concerns over emissions
So why are people questioning it’s use? The U.S. Green Building Council started to dock credits for using vinyl in green buildings, but backed off.  Now they are neutral on the subject, saying, “The LEED standard will not give credit for excluding PVC products, but this must not be taken to imply that the Council necessarily considers these products environmentally benign compared to alternatives”.  Some of the concerns were in end-of-life issues especially what are released if it burns. 

Environmental concerns have prompted Germany and the Netherlands to discourage the use of PVCs. PVC in baby toys and bottles has sparked concerns that these additives leach out of soft toys into the mouths of the children chewing on them with various health problems associated with this. Vinyl flooring has been connected with allergies in children and levels of DEHP and BBzP in the air.  Other vinyl products, including car interiors, shower curtains, flooring, initially release chemical gases into the air. Some studies indicate that this outgassing of additives may contribute to health complications, and have resulted in a call for banning the use of DEHP on shower curtains, among other uses. Car companies Toyota, Nissan, and Honda have eliminated PVC in their car interiors as of 2007. Even Target is reducing its sale of items with PVC.

The Vinyl Institute, an industry organization, claims that the amount of dioxins and off gassing is minimal or associated with additives, not the vinyl itself.  They also point to OSHA statistics (not listed) that since the 1970s, when there were large problems of workers being exposed to vinyl chloride and developing a rare form a liver cancer, injury rates and illness in PCV workers are now less than manufacturing average.

Vinyl Chloride is regulated.  The American Chemical Society assigns a Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry number too many different chemical compounds for identification purposes. The CAS for Vinyl Chloride is 75-01-4. The ACS keeps documentation on research and events which involve Vinyl Chloride and are an excellent resource for these materials. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is another body regulating vinyl chloride. The EPA has calculated an inhalation unit risk estimate of 8.8 10-6 (g/m3)-1 for lifetime exposure to vinyl chloride.

Vinyl Chloride itself is a flammable, colorless, sweet smelling gas. However, OSHA has classified vinyl chloride as a hazardous chemical with a permissible exposure limit of 1 ppm (part per million), at which level it is impossible for the human nose to register a smell. Thus, if a person were able to smell vinyl chloride this would be indicative of an egregious overexposure.

Recycling
On the plus side, vinyl is recyclable.  The Vinyl Institute (VI) claims over 1 billion pounds are recycled annually. Most of this is post-industrial.  According to VI,” about 18 million pounds of that was post-consumer vinyl”.  By my math that leaves at least 982,000,000 pounds of vinyl not getting recycled each year.  Some of this is in use, but the ratio is clear in showing that something is not working in this equation.

So why are we at Naked Binder concerned?
We are interested in our environment.  No, we care a lot about our environment.  Our initial concern with vinyl came from the vinyl binder.  I have used hundreds of them through out my life and wondered what happened to them when they were gone.  I used gaffer and duct tapes to hold them together longer to prolong their life, but never succeeded for long.  When it was clear they had to go, I cut out the paperboard inside the vinyl and recycled that and the rings, throwing the vinyl away.

We estimate that tens of millions of vinyl binders are produced in this country every year. Most of these are tossed into the waste stream.  This is about 3-5 million pounds of potentially offgassing, carcinogenic material (I figure the board inside is probably fine) sitting in our landfills. 

I guess we feel that this is a problem, with a very real and simple solution.  And we want to be part of that solution.
 

Lets start with Inkboat, featuring amazing performances.  Exceedingly well crafted, thought out and performed - touching, moving and thought provoking.

Now on to Michelle Ellsworth. Funny. Intelligent. Crazy and inspired. Love her.

Who next? lets go visual.

Lawrence LaBianca.  Elemental, powerful, visually stunning and intelligent.

Constructing with wood, metal, glass, stone among other things, his work is connected with nature and yet part of the culture.

5 Minutes for Going Green is offering a Naked Binder giveaway of a set of project binders and tabs.  Seriously!  Go here to win them.    Who are they? (what you don't know?) "Here at 5 Minutes for Going Green, we believe our world is a gift, and taking care of it can be fun, endlessly fulfilling and easier than ever. Even the smallest daily changes can make a big global difference. No matter where you are in life, no matter your place on this particular journey, green really does look good on everyone."

Eco Office Gals is running a huge giveaway ($4-500) for some lucky tree hugger.  Naked Binders recycled binders are just one of many things you can win there. Go here and see.   (Eco Office Gal Mission: To provide Eco-Friendly and Paperless Virtual Assistant Services and resources to businesses interested in making a lighter environmental Impact.)

Ecobunga lists green giveaways and deals all the time. And Earth Day is going to be one giant green giveaway out there on the net. All year Ecobunga is listing discounts, giveaways and good deals.  Defiantly a place to check in regularly.

Go out and win big in the green giveaways!  Remember that Earth day isn't just about stuff, but education for you and the people around you.  Also, do a few nice things for the planet this week. Pick up trash, be more careful about recycling, turn off lights and appliances.  And make an effort not to buy something you don't need. Seems odd, but less consumption is better.

Go and win recycled binders, be nice the the planet and have a great week!

Naked Binder is pleased and thrilled to announce A Celebration for Earth Day Week.

All Naked Binder products will be at least 20% off. 

We want to do right by the planet, and so forget your vinyl!  If you need a binder get one that is recycled and recyclable.  Our green products don't grow on trees - well they did once, but not for a long time. All of the paper in these binders is recycled - 100%. And the whole thing is recyclable when it has been used to the end (10 or so years from now).

What are you getting?

Sustainablility.

We also looked at the manufacturing and eliminated toxins and harmful materials.  We also cut down the diversity of materials we used. Everything we made had to be recyclable in the end. Ideally as simply as possible.. All materials, processes and designs were made with this in mind.

It took almost two years to make the simplest binder we could.  But it will last, the board is from an FSC certified supplier, the paper is green seal certified, the manufacturing process is simple and creates a long lasting product.

Long lasting binders?  Oh yes.  These have been tested to 50,000 flexes with no change and have spent 3 hours in a tumble test - a vicious continuous dropping test.  They not only survived - but came out smelling like a rose.

We talk about sustainability, but we also worked hard to be able to.  Make sure that any products you buy work as hard, last as long.  These are truly sustainable.

Why a celebration for Earth Day?

Because we care about this lovable ball. A lot.

Did you ever want a custom 11x17 binder, but want one that is non-toxic and recyclable?

Naked Binder has a new way to customize your 11 x 17 binder.  The Naked Binder Architect Binder can now have a custom printed spine wrap. The wrap is an 11" wide wrap that is laminated with an inert film to protect your printing.  For small runs (we can make as few as 50) we digitally print the image giving full color, without plate fees, press time and wasted sheets for set-up. 

Important answers to questions:

Is it still recyclable?  Absolutely.

Is is still green?  Yes.  These binders are sustainable, sturdy, made of recycled board and completely recyclable. While there is more work and waste in this process than in just getting a truely naked architect binder the waste is minimized by digitally printing (press set up for a job can run 3-400 test sheets), minimizing the area printed (while still offering a very sweet look) and using an inert film to protect the printing.  We debated this last one.  In the end, sustainability was the key.  The longer it lasts and looks great, the longer you will use it.  THe print would wear off too quickly without the film. 

Minimum order?  50.

Maximum order? Oh go on.  Get as many as you want.

Turnaround?  5 days from approval of artwork to shipping.  Many times less, but 5 days is the outside.

Do you have Templates?  Yes we do.

This is almost as important as the education.  For many years, environmentalists were considered crazy, tree hugging, beard to floor, wild-eyed lunatics.  For you kids, this wasn't that long ago either.  I was reading on orgnanic farming, solar power, reuse/recycle in the 70's when I was a kid, and it sure wasn't the norm.  especially in Northern New Jersey. 

Now the touring 'Bob the Builder' show is about recycling. Now that is progress.

So Earth Day offers a chance to show people who are not on board that everyone is part of this movement.  In fact the movement is getting so mainstream that many parts are considered ordinary.  Curbside recycling for example, or low flow shower heads.

Once people feel included, or potentially included the education can start to work.  Native plant gardens in desert regions, recycling more and more, composting, being concerned about our food sources, and packaging.  Using less.  Re-using more.  And of course, using recycled binders.

As a long time used clothes/furniture/gear/books connosier and cheapskate, I have a natural genetic predisposition towards non-consumerist ways.  I am working on other things that will help lower my impact on the planet, so I am always looking for better ideas, ways to use less, walk lighter.  I look forwardt o seeing you out and about on Earth Day - if you see me, make sure to tell me any new and great tips you have found.

Assuming you have started looking, you know that there are not many good options in tabloid sized binders.  Naked Binder has the Architect Binder which fits the bill, but you were hoping to have your company name on it.

This is a 11x17 bare board binder, based on the work of Le Corbusier, with awesome flexs in the board providing both aesthetics and strength to the binder.  100% recycled board, 97% Post consumer waste, and 100% recyclable - the Architect Binder gives you evironmental street cred with your full color digitally printed wrap.

Why digital?  Because we will make these in quantities as small as 50 binders.  Running a traditional press will create 3-400 makereadies for a job - all wasted paper.  In small runs, the digital print gives us no waste sheets.  We can make 50,000 binders for you also, If you want these in bulk we can do it.  Those would be offset printed with soy inks.  For large quantities, the offset press will provide a better environmental and economic choice.

How to do it? 

First options - printed wrap.

This one can be done on an inkjet or at a copy shop if you need higher quality.  The sheets on the inside meet and are taped down.  We can print these also and die cut them so that there is a tab lock on the inside (no tape - soa bit more eco friendly)

Screen on them.  It works.  If you have the capability, these will look great.

Transfers.  Dont do iron ons, but many transfers will work.  Also, stickers, stencils and other low tech ways.

Carve them.  Never done it myself, but I have some designs.  Added bonus is that the first page of info will show through.

And if you are an outstanding artist - well, draw/paint/collage on them.  This is pressed paper folks, it can take a beating and is art friendly.

Just a few ideas for the dressing of a Naked Binder.  Let us know if you have other cool ideas we haven't thought of.

EcoStore USA - $25 Gift Certificate
Affordable Mineral Make Up - $25 Gift Certificate
Go Green Home MakeOver - Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Coco-Zen - Fair Trade Chocolate Lips To-Go
Naked Binder - Project Binder Set
Cactus and Ivy - You’re the Balm Gift Set
Sarva Soap - Natural Artisan Soap Trio
Nurture My Body - $35 Gift Certificate
The Green Path Co. - Men’s & Ladies Organic Cotton T-shirt set
GreenOfficeStore -  Staple-free Stapler,  Recycled Paper Pencils & Recycle Bin
Mama Goes Green - Waste Free Lunch Kit
Tilvee - $25 Gift Certificate
Teatulia - Fair Trade Organic Tea Sampler Set
Glass Dharma - $30 in store coupon
WeeBeGreen - $15 Gift Certificate

Green Binders, organic tea, natural soap, chocolate lips, gift certificates, organic t-shirts!!  Go here to find out what you need to do to win.  Celebrate Earthday, be green and win big.  A fine combination!

View from Temple Crag in the Sierras, CA

So what can we do about it?  One way is use products with recycled content and recyclable materials - yes, Naked Binder is one of those (100% recycled content!!).  While this can tame our contribution to the big piles getting others to listen is also a priority.

That Brings us to HA Schult.  This artist created 1000 life sized "Trash People'.  This army of trash is an kind of Archeological dig into our current situation.  Originally shown in the ampitheatre of Xanten, they were subsequently sent around the world to bring home a point as well as inspire and amaze.

What we are offering:

2" D ring in both Square back and Round back recycled binders - with spine wraps in Green (lime) and dark blue

2-1/2 D RIng in both Square back and Round back recycled binders - with spine wraps in Green (lime) and dark blue

In these large spine sizes, we decided to use a spine wrap to help you hold on to them and strengthen the spine for the inevitable drops onto the table.  As time goes on, we will be adding colors, though we may not get into the entire spectrum of the Project Binder.  Let us know if you have a "must have" color and we can see about adding it to the line.

The web page should be up early in the week, say by April 7th, so keep an eye out for them.

Naked Binder's appearance at the Seattle Green Festival went more than well.  We handed out 6 cases of binders to eagar festival goers and ran out.  People loved them, and who can blame them?  A well designed recycled binder, made to last.  They look good, they feel good and they are completely sustainable.

We'd love to hear from you if you were at the Festival and got a Naked Binder or even saw them. Let us know what you think about them.  Email us (info@NakedBinder.com), call, write or twitter (@nakedbinder) - however you like to communicate, but let us know.

Thanks to everyone who put the Seattle Green Festival together.  You did a great job! Big round of applause.

(photos are coming)

We went through a process which continues everyday.

We looked at binders on the market, custom binders, fancy binders - a million binders - to see what they had that made them desirable, different or better.  Many of the first mock-ups we made were too complicated. Cool, but complicated.

So we backtracked to what is it supposed to do. We eliminated extra steps in manufacturing, added spine wraps for both color and longevity and created a covered version for people and businesses who wanted a more refined look.

We also looked at the manufacturing and eliminated toxins and harmful materials.  We also cut down the diversity of materials we used. Everything we made had to be recyclable in the end. Ideally as simply as possible.. All materials, processes and designs were made with this in mind.

It took almost two years to make the simplest binder we could.  But it will last, the board is from an FSC certified supplier, the paper is green seal certified, the manufacturing process is simple and creates a long lasting product.

We talk about sustainability, but we also worked hard to be able to.  Make sure that any products you buy work as hard, last as long.  These are truly sustainable.

That brings us to yesterday.  It was raining pretty hard, and I had a Naked Binder in hand.  Specs: 110pt bare binders board 97% post consumer waste, 100% recycled. 1" round ring.  A recycled binder. About to turn into it's component parts - or so we thought.

So we put the binder outside in the rain for three hours. it sat in a little puddle, blew over in the wind and generally got soaked. after three hours it went under the awning to dry.  A little wind and eventually a bit of sun and we looked again.

I just want to say we make a great product.

exhibit A:

That's it.  The cover has a bit of a bend.  Not even huge, just a little.  I flexed it back in seconds. I brushed the dirt off from sitting in the puddle.  looks great.  Now I am not recommending that you leave your binder out in the rain, but it is good to know it is tougher than you would think.

This binder has been designated as the crash test dummy of Naked Binder.  We inscribed the date and time in the rain and are waiting for more oppurtunities to test it more. Stay tuned for more excitement!

3 hours in the rain, a few hours in the sun/wind and we are impressed.  Still looks good still holding up. Tomorrow we will post photos. Stay tuned!!

While there is some 'greenwashing' (hard to call yourself green if all you do is try to convince people they can use teh same towel two days in a row), many of the green hotels are working hard to provide a real alternative to the waste that hotels create.

Which brings us to Naked Binder.  Every hotel has a binder in your room that lets you know what is happening in town, how to get there and what the hotel offers.  Most of these are vinyl.  This means that a hotel of, say, 800 rooms is buying a few thousand vinyl binders a year and tossing them as they get dirty or worn.

Naked Binder can offer that green alternative that your environmentally concerned guests are looking for.  Completely recycled board, completely recyclable with no toxins - these are not for the green washers, but for people who actually care about what is their environment.  The best part is they look and feel better than any vinyl binder ever will.

If you travel a lot and care enough to search out the green hotel, look at all the details.  You, as a customer, should bring it to their attention if there are such easy steps to make a room less toxic.  Be an advocate for the environment, for your health and for the planet.

We will have free samples, but not enough to go around to the 35,000 people who show up so be lucky.  If you don't get a sample, you can check out the ones they will keep a grip on at the counter to see what we do up close and personal.

Samples of what?  Recycled binders!  Green Binders! Actually, Really green binders - we will have samples of Naked BInders and both of the green Project Binders. 

Come on down!!

"In the first commission to use the building's iconic river façade, and the first major public museum display of street art in London, Tate Modern presents the work of six internationally acclaimed artists whose work is intricately linked to the urban environment:

Blu from Bologna, Italy; the artist collective Faile from New York, USA; JR from Paris, France; Nunca and Os Gêmeos, both from São Paulo, Brazil and Sixeart from Barcelona, Spain.

You can also take the Street Art Walking Tour: an urban tour of site-specific art from a group of five Madrid-based street artists: 3TTMan, Spok, Nano 4814, El Tono and Nuria – a map is available online and in the gallery.

Various events will take place during the exhibition, including an interactive evening with experimental New York artists Graffiti Research Lab, refacing Tate Modern with graffiti light projections."

The last part sound super fun - graffiti light projections makes me want to edit something together and do a show of my own.  Admitedly, it wont be at the Tate.

The recycled bare board architect binder is our architectural wonder.  It holds 11 x 17 paper and is based on a design by Le Corbusier. The horizontal stripes pressed into the board add to its stability as well as add to the overall design.

A friend of mine once asked if I was a large paper person or a small paper person. 

I am a large paper person and proud.  While I use it to create and organize projects, show proposals and generally show off, my son, whose paper size preferences are unclear, uses it for corraling dinosaurs and making tunnels for his trains. 

Designed for use by architects, it has also found favor among artists as a portfolio for their work.  The board is acid neutral, and so will not harm contents.  It is obvious that the uses for this binder are wide ranging, and it is my guess that mine will be tested in new ways by my son.

Adobe's CTO Kevin Lynch presented some great tools the company is working on to help designers be a whole lot more sustainable while creating products. 

Naked Binder knows binders and packaging and we think this is great. Minimizing waste takes a bit of careful forethought which if not done...can result in amazing waste per sheet of paper. Certain pigments are toxic, so it would be nice to have this pointed out before you make 10,000 folders for an eco friendly company.

Another option seems to be to pick the standards you want to design to - how green do you want to be? It will let you know what part of your project steps out of that realm (too much paper? too much waste?).

This program will also tell you impacts - number of trees needed or apparently - soy plants also. It will suggest alternatives like - do this online (though in the wake of the Google search 'scandal' this isnt impact free either...).

I say, way to go Adobe for pushing the envelope.  Go Green Design!!!

!!!

This one goes out to my son Leo who just turned two years old. Got himself a ukulele (he is obsesed with guitars but they are way too big). Too good.

Lowering your impact on the environment is a long term process.

Changing out your light bulbs is a great first step. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs are a great way to save money and use less.  I don't know about you, but I am excited about the LED bulbs too. 

Insulating your house, should you own one, is also a great thing.  I am in the process of sealing up a house built in 1939. We are blowing insullation into the walls and roof and also spraying under a new room built sometime after the main house.  While trying to balance cost with efficiency, we called the local gas and electric company to inspect and they are going pay a bit over half of our costs for spraying.  This means the savings for next winter could pay for the insulation. So check around.  The new stimulous package has money for this kind of stuff too, so when that hits the streets, you may be able to get even better deals.

I am looking at planting a garden in the front yard and the back (light varies heavily we face north/south) to grow some of our own food and I would like to get a rain barrel to water them.  I know they'll be organic and don't need to be flown in from somewhere for me to eat. (It takes 800 gallons of water to grow the food for the average US person per day)

Don't be afraid to reuse.  Books, furniture, toys, clothes, appliances, tools, windows, wood - nearly everything can be gotten second hand.  Savy shopper friends of ours find high end designer clothes for $3 or $4 all the time.  I have 10 or so boxs of books - nearly all are preowned. 

Recycle all you paper, plastics, cork, metals - everything.  Most areas have free pickup which makes life easy.

Use recycled papers. Toilet paper news from a week or so ago pointed out that toilet paper is generally virgin wood and is deforesting the world at a huge rate.  It can be soft and recycled.  Paper pads for lists, printer papers, envelopes - all this can be up to 100% recycled content saving water, energy, emmisions and trees.

Of course, don't use vinyl binders.  They are nearly impossible to recycle - most of the millions and millions made are tossed into the landfill.  There are a number of alternatives.  Naked Binder is a fine one.

Lessening your footprint on the earth is a matter of reusing, recycling and lowering the amount of what you use. Think about what you use, what you need and act accordingly.  Greening is a process, but once you start, new ways to do it keep presenting themselves.

Check him out here.

How often do you find an eco-friendly, recycled sustainable binder?  In order to sing the praises of the Naked Binder, I want to point out a few things.

Recycled Binder:  Made from 100% recycled materials, 97% post consumer waste.  No virgin paper, no trees killed for this one.  Not in this cycle at least.

Eco Friendly Binder: Using completely recycled materials saves energy, water, emmisions and trees.  Not a bad deal.

Sustainable Binder: These binders are made by pressing a spine directly into the 110pt recycled binders board we use to make the Naked Binders.  There are no weak points on this binder.  The corners are rounded to prenvent the corners turning if you drop it. The spine has been tested to 50,000 flexes without showing any signs of wear. (we didn't use an intern, we had an independant lab do this). 

As much as we like, admire and support everyone out there making recycled and recyclable binders, we do believe that our is better designed and will last longer.  We strive to make the best binder on the market and are always looking for ways to further cut emissions, waste and create a better product.  ( like the prototype for a 11x17 binder that is a vertical binder...)

Check us out and see for yourself.

We debossed a label area 6.25 x 4.25" onto the cover and spine to give you a target for adding your own art/label/identifying marks.

What results is a binder that is archival in quality ( See Archival Products for their version of this binder), beautiful in looks, sturdy with a clean label deboss.

There is no other recycled binder on the market like this one.  Whether you are looking to impress a client with a binder that is elegant and recycled, or just like things a bit more finished, the Wrapped Binder delivers.

Go check them out Here!!

A story of an artist in the worst of times.

Go here and read about him. 

It is a favorite among many for it's versitility.  The Naked Binder is a blank canvas waiting for your art.

Prefer piercings? you can do it.  Tatoos? That would be cool.  Corporate logo?  Go for it!  Carving?  Consider it your pumpkin.

We do have some thoughts on less radical ways to personalize.

Labels. If you have access to a laser of ink jet printer, you can make some pretty high design labels for you binder.

Paper wrap.  The Naked Binder stands 11 5/8" tall.  Print a wrap twentyfive inches long, and tape it on the inside.  If you are giving these to people, this allows them to have all of your info and still use the binder for their own projects in the future.  Places like Kinkos can print them if your home printer can't do long runs.

Carve.  This is best for one or two unless you are fast.  I like this since your contents can peer through.  All you need is an exacto knife and a steady hand. (you kids, talk to your parents first. I mean it.)  It would make a nice presentation and also a talking piece. 

The Naked Binder is a green binder at it's most elemental. No extras, no fuss.  The personalization is up to you.

Christian Faur is a painter working with various meiums including crayons that he makes himself.  Having cast over 100,000 in various shades and colors, he builds a painting much like a computer - using the crayons as pixels. In an added leap, he "developed a mapping system that translates the English alphabet into twenty six discrete colors and I use these crayon “fonts” to add words and language to each of the pieces in the show." 

As someone who makes and likes obsesive work (Eva Hesse! Katharina Fritsch! Pina Bausch! Tom Friedman! not the journalist the artist)) these works appeal to me through the labor as much as the art.  It makes sense that he considers painting in line with mathematics, and is very appealing.

Check out more of his work here. 

"It's not trash unless it can't be recycled!"

When Martha Graham's Clytemnestra premiered in 1958 it became an instant hit

The Graham Company is looking to you discover the 21st century parallels to this Ancient Greek Graham classic. They have posted five videos online for you to remix. Each video depicts a character from Trojan War. You can choose from Helen of Troy, Electra, Clytemnestra, Cassandra, or a more  abstract character - the Messenger of Death.

"Choose one of the characters, take that video, and rework it (remix it, remash it, remaster it, whatever). Create a modern twist on these ancient characters through current pop culture news, personalities or events.

The possibilities are endless:  recast a character in contemporary style, change the music, add a background,
learn the movement, develop your own group variation, place your character of choice in another dramatic or cultural context,�"

I had always looked at this oily element as something sticky and disgusting, hard to clean once on your skin. But as I tried to take it away using some gasoline I found out that so many different colours came out of it, from black to cream. From that day on I started experimenting with tar in order to use it for my paintings.

I wanted to create something beautiful and positive out of such a negative and pollutant material. There is always the positive side of things�

Unfortunately, I keep finding a lot of "tar biscuits" spread all over the coast of Spain when I go out on holiday and, therefore I have become a "nonstop volunteer" for the gathering of this oily component while others enjoy the beach and sunbathing, something I dislike, by the way. Once holidays are over the recycling process begins and then I get the material ready for my paintings."

Keep finding the positives. 

Among the offerings: Vel�zquez's famous portrait of the family of Philip IV, Las Meninas, Goya's Third of May, Rubens's The Three Graces, and Titian's huge portrait The Emperor Charles V.

'This online museum emerged from our own experiences making environmental art and from seeing firsthand some of the challenges facing artists, community groups, nonprofit organizations and arts institutions when it came to presenting and discussing environmental art.

More than a museum, we see greenmuseum.org as a giant collaborative art-making tool.'

Recycled content is a slightly different story.  Recycled content is recovered material that would have been disposed of in landfill brought to life in another use. It can be a combination of post-consumer waste and preconsumer waste (packaging, manufacturing wastes etc). 

Household and office recycling is only the tip of the iceberg of recycling.  Manufacturing, building and businesses all generate a lot of waste.  In our case, if there is a problem in the board manufacturing process, the 'bad' board can be reentered into the process and made into good board.  There will always be some variance in the actual PCW v. recycled content of a product unless the manufacturing waste is not reused and either tossed or recycled somewhere else. Which is silly. So even Naked Binder 97% PCW will vary somewhat. 

This brings us to 100% Post Consumer Content products.  I would suggest that this is nearly impossible unless waste from the process is being thrown out.  I haven't found any board manufacturer who will claim that, and believe me I have talked to a lot of board manufacturers. 

There is a new search engine in town.    EcoSearch is a nonprofit search engine powered by Google that is supporting the environment. The first, they claim, dedicated soley to preserving the environment.  How do they do it?  First off they find those lovely green companies/non-profits and people and let you know about them.  Secondly, they donate to non-profits who support the environment. 

They are looking for other environmental non-profits who need the money and do good work. Let them know! I can think of a few Naked Binder has listed and I'm going to let them know. 

Use them for your searches and support the groups who do good work out there. Let other people know! They also accept advertising and donations to help get the word out.

Inquiring minds found out. 

On a personal aside - the US Postal Service is pretty awesome in the range of things they will send.  Having sent many plastic fish toys with letters in them in my day, the USPS is very accommodating.  Hats off to them.