Shopping earth friendly

Focuses on solar-electric products and energy efficiency, but includes a selection of home accessories, from recycled glassware to display bowls made from chopsticks; also carries Bio Shield line of no-VOC paint.

Standout lighting options, from modern to retro, by Eleek in 100 percent recycled aluminum and Mio, including some with 100 percent wool shells. Full line of building and remodeling items, including floor coverings, sinks, tiles and paints.

Accessories niche in store that caters to sustainable solutions and alternative transportation. Check out indoor/outdoor rugs woven of recycled plastic, artisanal fabric scrap potholders, recycled glassware, paper products and other local artisan crafts.

Ryan and Tina North stock their gift store with items recycled, reclaimed, re-used and repurposed, from picture frames of computer circuit boards to clocks made from bicycle parts.

Founded by Minnesota natives JL and Jay Jackson, Global designs manufactures and imports furniture made from aged Indonesian teak homes that it purchases and replaces with brick structures. The company recently introduced outdoor furniture lines by St. Cloud designer Mark Suess.

Kravet's debut KravetGreen fabric collection is made of 100 percent recycled polyester. The company plans to release its second collection in March.

Duluth-based resource for hardware, flooring, countertops, sinks and nontoxic products for interior finishing for remodelers and home builders. Several lines made from recycled glass, aluminum and brass; locally made Shoji screens from salvaged wood.

Vintage furnishings of repurposed teak and bamboo linens; collection of Merida Meridian hand-woven, non-dyed abaca fiber rugs without latex backing or glues in three stock and custom sizes.

A fair trade/responsible manufacturing boutique with accessories and a few furniture pieces made from recycled glass and wood sprinkled among the lines of jewelry, clothing and personal care items.

Bloomington business' 100 percent cotton rugs of recycled rags are handmade with organic dyes; Prairie, a Sustainable Furniture Council member, says it uses the residual dye water to irrigate vegetables and mango trees surrounding the plant, and that it uses no child labor and pays a fair wage with health care benefits.

Cool Planet Goods: 1023-A Washington Av. S., Minneapolis, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Sat., 612-333-3341, www. coolplanetgoods.com.

ECO - Environmentally Conscious Options: 517 Garfield Av., Duluth, by appointment, 1-218-626-1118, www.ecolivingspace.com.

Key North: 515 1st Av. NE., Minneapolis, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., noon-5 pm. Sun., 612-455-6666, www.keynorthusa.com.

Kravet: Suite 307, International Market Square, Lyndale and Glenwood Avs. N., Minneapolis. To the trade but available to the public through the Design Connection, 612-338-6250.

Natural Built Home: 4020 Minnehaha Av. S., Minneapolis, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.Tues.-Thu., 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., Mon. by appointment, 612-605-7999, www.naturalbuilthome.com.

Nola Home: 404 Penn Av. S., Minneapolis, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Fri. with a 7 p.m. close Thu., 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Sat., 612-374-4066.

Prairie Rugs: 17 Garden Drive, Burnsville, 612-865-8595, www.prairierugs.com for nearest or online retailers.

Re-Gifts: 1832 E. 42nd St., Minneapolis, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m-5 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sun., 612-276-0105, www.re-gifts.com.

Roam: 813 Glenwood Av., Minneapolis, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., 612-377-6465.

Twin Cities Green: 2405 Hennepin Av. S., Minneapolis, 10:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., 612-374-4581, www.twin citiesgreen.com.