UpCycling

One of the best ways to design green is to use upcycled items....meaning something that has been repurposed to create an entirely new & useful item out of something that was destined for the dump.  In my opinion this is far better than simply recycling items, due to the fact that recycling plants use energy and other resources in order to operate.  Upcycling bypasses the plant altogether.  Some great sites to discover unique & creative upcycling products are Etsy & Cosa Verde. Here are some great examples of upcycling...

GLUTTONY GREED LUST WRATH ENVY PRIDE SLOTH... 
"Reworked vintage 6" plates including English bone china and Japanese porcelain with added hand painted text form an assemblage of Sins."  

By Trixiedelicious:

Money Bag Pillow - U.S. Mint

"Recycled, modern, and simple. Vintage/retired money bag turned into a stylish cushion" 

By Chakra Pennywhistle:

Bird and Moth Plate

"This plate is made of 100% repurposed window glass, salvaged from a discarded window pane. I cut, shape and slump the salvaged glass by hand. To finish, I grind and polish the glass to a smooth, glossy luster." 

By Fox & Clover:

Recycled Stemless wine glasses with etched bird silhouette-Set of 4

"This is a set of 4 stemless wine glasses made from recycled wine bottles. These recycled glasses have a beautiful bird on a branch silhouette permanently etched onto the surface of the glass."  

By Rewined:

Tweet

"Tweet, tweet! This handmade greeting card features a sweet, vintage, bird silhouette. I printed the image directly onto a page from a vintage German encyclopedia (published in 1906). I mounted the printed book page onto cream, 300 gsm (140 lb), FSC certified paper." 

By The Spotted Sparrow:

Ply Textiles

I love these pillows and table mats by Ply Textiles... They are  made of 100% recycled wool sweaters that are washed and dried to become super soft felt that is hand cut and sewn together in a tile pattern.  (I have the table mat shown below on my coffee table and LOVE it!):