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Hey there.

We are two friends living on opposite coasts (Brooklyn, New York and Santa Monica, California) that share a passion for living a minimal, zero waste lifestyle and on a mission to help others do the same.

Harper. Lives in Brooklyn with a +1. Sassy pup. Matcha. Wine. Whiskey. Cheese. Proscuitto.

Charley. Lives in Los Angeles with a +1. Doofy pup. Coffee. Wine. Whiskey. Cheese. Pasta.

Fern Trail Decorative Block Print Cotton Waste Basket Review 2023 | Eco-friendly, plant-based, 100% cotton

Fern Trail Decorative Block Print Cotton Waste Basket Review 2023 | Eco-friendly, plant-based, 100% cotton

The Top Line: It’s a BUY. We purchased the Fern Trail Block Print Waste Basket for our home office (for paper trash only) because we wanted something more decorative that we can have out and not inside a cabinet for our paper recycling. It is absolutely perfect and we have repeatedly been asked where we got it! While a tad on the pricy side, it is less expensive than other decorative wastebaskets that aren’t quite as eco-friendly. We will be buying a few more!


The Breakdown:

  • Cost & Products: $29.99 for 1 waste basket.

  • How ‘Clean’ Is This? Each basket is made of hand-blocked printed cotton and cardstock interior. It has been finished in an acrylic glaze. Ships folded flat so it minimizes carbon footprint of shipping.

  • Packaging: Ships folded flat with very little packaging.

  • Purchasing & Shipping: Quick checkout and shipping on Amazon

  • Good to know: These wastebaskets are not for anything with liquids! Use for paper trash, or as baskets to hold things like yoga mats or wrapping paper. Handmade by artisan workshops (not a big factory).


The Experience

We were looking for a decorative basket for our paper recycling in our home office, as it would be in prominent view and not hidden within a cabinet.

  • The Fern Trail Block Print Waste Basket arrived flat-packed, so it really minimized carbon footprint from shipping

  • We loved the color and unique handcrafted look of the design, and it comes in a lot of different colors that can go with any decor

  • It is a cotton/paper materials, so more delicate than a plastic bin, but certainly sturdy and will be fine for paper trash

  • Design really pops in our office and we have received many compliments and questions about it!

Overall, very happy with the purchase and will be buying more for guest rooms!


The Cost

While a tad on the pricy side at $29.99, it is less expensive than other decorative wastebaskets that aren’t quite as eco-friendly, and we love that we’re supporting hand-made pieces by artisans in India.


The Good:

Beautiful block print designs in a variety of colorways

No plastic - cotton and paper based!

Handcrafted, made with block-printed fabric and cardboard

Ships in a lie-flat design to minimize carbon footprint from transport

The Bad:

Not a complaint, but just know that these waste baskets aren’t made to hold wet or liquid trash!

Our Recommendation:

It’s a BUY. We purchased the Fern Trail Block Print Waste Basket for our home office (for paper trash only) because we wanted something more decorative that we can have out and not inside a cabinet for our paper recycling. It is absolutely perfect and we have repeatedly been asked where we got it! While a tad on the pricy side, it is less expensive than other decorative wastebaskets that aren’t quite as eco-friendly. We will be buying a few more!


We're on a mission to reduce our personal carbon footprint with small, hopefully easy, changes in our home to fight against climate change. This means we're looking for products that may be all natural, ideally zero waste, reusable or compostable -- while still being affordable!

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