Since I started Green Your Decor, I’ve gotten a lot of requests from people looking not just for eco-friendly curtains and drapes, for but eco-friendly rods, finials and other window hardware. But alas, they are not easy to come by, at least not online. There’s always the option of buying from your local thrift or consignment store, or rummaging through a family member’s unused hardware. But if you’re looking for something a bit more definite, you will appreciate this Recycled Glass Decorative Rod Set from JC Penney.
They are stylish, to be sure, but more importantly, the beautiful glass finials at the ends of the rod are made from recycled glass. There’s no information on whether the metal rod also contains recycled content, but the optimist in me will hope it does until I can get a concrete answer. It is available in 3 lengths: 28″-48″, 48″-86″, and 86″-120″. So if you’re like me and you like using that old designer’s trick of hanging your curtains significantly wider than the window to make it appear larger, you definitely have that option.
Happy window dressing!
Why It’s Green:
- Finials made of recycled glass
Price: $40-60
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I’m Jennae Petersen, and I’m a lot of things. A mother, a graphic artist, a connosieur of beautiful interiors and a purveyor of all things design. Green Your Decor was borne of frustration in my attempts to find eco-friendly housewares that were also beautiful, and inspiration to do something to reduce my own carbon footprint and help others do the same in a beautiful way.
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Check out Antique Drapery Rod Co. They are like the candy shop of eco drapery hardware AND they have organic cotton velvet, eco silk dupioni and organic cotton sheer drapes!
Their 7 points of sustainability:
1. Only Sustainably Reforested Wood Rods
2. PCW Upcycled Aluminum Rods
3. Hand Tortoise Shelled Bamboo Rods
4. Low VOC Finishes Instead Of Castings
5. Recycled Steel
6. Minimal Packaging
7. Helping Our Customers With Continued Eco Responsibility
They have been around for 16 years with a mission statement “focusing on historical authenticity and eco-responsibility.”
http://www.antiquedraperyrod.com
Plan ahead…orders are done on demand to avoid overproduction and take 20-30 days. Worth the wait I am sure!
Eco love to all,
Amy
interior decorator, Seattle
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Very pretty! And they seem to cost the same as most non-eco-friendly rods…
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Green means more expensive. I couldn’t afford to buy them myself.
@K. Cleaver I think the idea that green=more expensive is an unfortunate misconception. Some companies DO take advantage of product’s green qualities by charging more for it. However, that’s not the case here. If you compare the price to the other window hardware available at J.C. Penney, the price of this one is very competitive: http://snurl.com/aynqb
Even if you go to Target, you’d find hardware in this price range. If you compare it to what you might find at Walmart or Big Lots, the price is definitely higher, but in many cases, you’re compromising quality for that lower price. And for me, the additional cost is worth it because I know the toll virgin materials take on the environment that is saved when using recycled materials.
I guess it all depends which factors are most important to the customer. If price is the highest priority, then green products aren’t always the most affordable (though you’d be surprised that many of them really are affordable). But if other factors are considered, like where the product came from, what type of materials were used, whether it contains toxic chemicals, etc., the cost-benefit ratio shifts quite a bit.
I’ve recently replaced my ancient hardware from the “Cafe inch Rod Collection” from JcPenney. They’re on sale today for $19.99. The “recycled glass” rods mentioned here are $50.
Frankly, in this economy where people are losing their jobs and their homes my priorities are not to go out and buy the most expensive items because they are green.
Also keep in mind that just because an item is more expensive doesn’t mean it’s any more sturdy. It does mean the company will make more of a profit off of you.
@K. Cleaver I definitely understand your position. If you find rods you like that are within your budget, then it is absolutely at your discretion to purchase those. I just wanted to illustrate that the green rods weren’t the most expensive rods to be bought. They were mid-priced, with several other rods priced significantly higher.
I applaud your efforts to accomplish interior decorating objectives while helping the environment. I’m currently working with a few clients that have similar interests as yours. I found your blog while working on a client’s website: Decor and You DC
We are also working with a team of business coaches and a woman owned organic gardening company. Let me know if you would like to share articles or become a guest blogger on one of our websites. Hope to work with you soon.
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