WASTE NOT, WANT NOT

The Las Vegas residents use “forest debris” as the basis for their Naturescast line of home furnishings and accessories.

According to Pete Delantar, Naturescast is both a material and a product. Using an odorless and colorless binder, the debris can be used to create furniture, architectural elements, home accessories and décor, jewelry and packages.

“We can create all sorts of items — from boxes to vases and even furniture,” Pete Delantar said. “It’s a very versatile material with its various applications.”

Currently, the company manufactures about 60 items and plans to open a showroom at the World Market Center in July.

Naturescast, and its parent company, Natures Legacy, started by accident and resulted from the Delantars’ desire to be environmentally conscientious, clean up the area around their factory in the Philippines and help the local residents.

They own a stone casting plant in Compostela, about 60 miles north of Cebu City in the Philippines, where they make architectural elements and outdoor décor such as benches.

“We were cleaning the perimeter of our factory and found this waste or forest castaway just growing everywhere.”

Catherine Delantar said the traditional practice is to burn all the debris, but they wanted to do something that would help the environment instead. She also worried about the potential risk of the flames starting a raging forest fire.

“We knew there had to be a good use for this — not only the material but for the community.”

The debris — dry leaves, twigs and bark — is gathered and sorted by hand. Using a simple process Catherine Delantar learned in high school, the debris is shredded and then combined with a water-based binder before it is hand-shaped into a variety of useful and decorative items for the home, as well as the office, on patios and in gardens.

When wet, the material is extremely pliable and when it is dry, the material is extremely lightweight.

It can be colored and is currently offered in its natural color, as well as brown, black and two-toned combinations. Pete Delantar said it also can be scented, if desired, and they can alter the finished products’ texture.

Even though the material is made with a water-based binder, Pete Delantar said pieces won’t disintegrate if they get wet. However, they should be protected if they will be used outdoors, much as you would use a protective coating on a wood deck.

Metal or Corian inserts line the company’s collection of bowls and vases so they can hold liquids.

For the Delantars, Natures Legacy is more than just a business and a way to help the ecology of their native homeland. Catherine Delantar said by employing area residents they are helping the economy as well.

The residents are instructed on the proper way to gather the debris, using only materials already on the ground that have died naturally and are the proper size.

Catherine Delantar then relates the story of a boy who brought her debris he had collected near his home. When she paid him, the boy ran to the nearest market to buy food for his family because they hadn’t eaten for two days.

In addition to paying area residents to collect the material, they are hired and trained to make the company’s products.

“We mold by hand. We could do it by a machine, but we want to do as much as we can to help (boost the economy).”

The lack of machinery also helps reduce their carbon footprint on the area.

Many of the company’s designs were created by the Delantars, but they also have a team of consultants worldwide and a full-time designer on their team in the Philippines. Those who mold the pieces also are encouraged to be creative in their designs, they said.

Since its inception five years ago, the company has been garnering recognition and awards for its designs and eco-friendly efforts, including the Golden Shell Award for Excellence in Design and Manufacturing in 2004 presented by Gloria Macapagal-Arroya, president of the Philippines; the Triple E Award for excellence, ecology and economy in 2005 from the Philippines Chamber of Commerce; and the Most Creative Award by the California Integrated Waste Management Board.

Because of its natural look, it is ideal for spas and is featured in a high-end resort in the Philippines.

The green nature of the company’s products also is being noticed by those in the entertainment industry. Earlier this year, the firm’s club chair, stool and side table were used to help furnish a “green” lounge for those performing at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

For additional information, visit www.naturescast.com or e-mail the Delantars at phd@naturescast.com.