New York - March 04, 2005

Get Trashed

GomiNYC Recycling Store

Recycling is about more than dropping empty pinot bottles and chickpea cans into blue bins. It’s a state of mind.

Like right now you’d like to recycle some of last July’s weather.

The retail embodiment of this idea? GomiNYC, a smart East Village shop where everything — clothing, accessories, furniture, and art — is made from recycled and sustainable materials. Don’t roll your eyes, Captain Cement: They didn’t call this place GomiBerkeley. The aesthetic here is decidedly non-tree-hugger — clocks made from hubcaps and bicycle parts, color-block blankets made from old sweaters, with original pockets and buttons.

Of course the folks here know all about nature. (Duh.) But the small figurines of roosters, turkeys, and other petting-zoo favorites (made by South African craftspeople from used plastic bags) may well be cuter than the real thing.

So the next time you decide to bring bottles or cans as a party favor, go a few steps up the food chain: recycled gifts.

You might just impress yourself with your own elevated consciousness.

GomiNYC, 443 East 6th Street, at Avenue A (212-979-0388 or gominyc.com).