Impressions from Heldenmarkt Frankfurt 2013
The trade fair for sustainable consumption – “Heldenmarkt” – takes place in several German cities meanwhile. This time I visited the Heldenmarkt (market for heroes) in Frankfurt.
In a beautiful hall with a remarkable wooden roof construction about 75 exhibitors presented their products and services in the fields of fashion, food, investment, health and other sustainable consumer goods.
Alternative Barbeque Lighter
I liked especially the alternative products for grilling of the company Rebenglut. In a very informative and friendly conversation the owner explained to me that e.g. the annual pruning of organic vines or vines that bear no fruits anymore or have died are used for Rebenglut. Old red wine barrels are processed to smoke chips. The waste product, the ash, can be used as a natural fertilizer for beds. So the natural cycle is complete. Perfect Recycling!
Alternative Dental Care
Also a product of alternative dental care caught my eye – the toothbrush SWAK. Here you clean your teeth with miswak. These are soft fibrous woods that grow in Africa, the Orient, or the East Indies. The miswak-bristle head is embedded in a plastic handle, which is made from petroleum-free renewable resources. I have tested this alternative toothbrush on the spot with a piece of Miswak and was very impressed after the first time. The teeth were nicely even. Only the usual toothpaste flavor was missing. But I could get used to it.
Perfect Upcycling
In addition to these discoveries, there were also very interesting new contacts to upcycling manufacturers. Green Spirit produces impressive stable colorful baskets, trays and table mats made of waste paper. Old newspapers are also the basis for the artfully woven design pieces of transFORMATE, such as cases, bags, boxes and screens. At Fraktali especially the great designed coffee table on the basis of a washing machine drum captured my attention. And at Goodfellers old archive boxes of the city of Frankfurt serve as boxes for specially designed sketchbooks. A good example of how valuable objects may be saved from the disposal. Perfect Upcycling!
Because, as the operator of Eco- and Upcycling-Market I like to convince myself of the sustainability of the products that are offered by current and future shop owners on www.upcycling-markt.com (since 2015 www.greenpicks.de/en). So verified quality.
Gerrit and Janos of kleiderhelden announced to expand their productline in organic men’s underwear.