By Kristin Johnson
BDA product developer

BDA hit last week’s International Home + Housewares Show in search of new sources for eco-conscious housewares and holiday gifting ideas.

The four-day show at Chicago’s McCormick Place convention center featured nearly 2,100 exhibitors from 125 countries displaying the latest products for all areas of the home, both inside and out.

Top eco-friendly finds included lunch totes and reusable sandwich bags from Blue Avocado, Itzy Ritzy, Snack Taxi and Re-Pac. The companies offer durable, dishwasher-safe designs in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Also grabbing our attention on the green front were Cortizza’s line of gifts made from sustainable cork leather, cork fabric and cork paper. From handbags to padfolios to iPad cases, each product is hand-crafted from renewable resources and most can be laser-engraved with for a personalized touch.

In the kitchen, our favorites were collapsible food storage containers and assorted drinkware from Cool Gear Inc. and custom-shaped cookie cutters from TailorMade Products, which also offers the Curious Chef collection—a line of cooking supplies for children, including kid-safe knives and kid-friendly measuring sets.

From the oddball category, it didn’t get any better than Garbage Pantz. Made of plastic water bottles, these fabric sleeves wrap around your trash cans, for some much-needed curbside style.

The Chicago Sun-Times mentioned Garbage Pantz in its show recap. The New York Times also filed a report from the show floor.