But those were different times. We'd never heard of climate youth. The traditional bazaars of the past offered no solace. That's why I cycled to the Oxfam World Shop in the centre of Heist-op-den-Berg on Saturday morning. I could stock up on recycled paper there. That was it for a while. Little did I know there were so many more sustainable products out there. Yep, even back then.

My aha moment came in 1996, at an environmental festival in Germany. I was there as a volunteer. There was a great selection of recycled stationery: notebooks, course books, and folders. I thought we should have this available too. And preferably many more sustainable products. Did you know: this German brand is still part of our product range today?

I collected 100,000 Belgian francs and started Ecobos.

It started small, though. A 12-square-meter shop in my brother and sister-in-law's garage. However, the range of environmentally friendly products had already been expanded from the start, with more than 200 items. By the way, my company was called Pangaea back then.

After two years, the garage became too small. I moved to Herentals, to an old factory building. In 2002, we ended up at our current, ecological location in Heist-op-den-Berg. Our range continued to grow, to no fewer than 5,000 products from numerous environmentally friendly brands. Always made with respect for both the environment and people.

Together we highlight your commitment to nature.

Are you a company, organization, or government agency looking for eco-friendly products? We're happy to help. We offer alternative, sustainable products for promotional materials, office supplies, and stationery, without compromising on quality. And there are plenty of fun and original items too.

Our selection of the most sustainable products is now very extensive. This way, you can contribute to nature in all sorts of ways:

Greeting cards , stationery , course blocks and notebooks , envelopes and labels , folders , cover paper , gift paper and craft paper , pencils and erasers , grinders and slats , ballpoint and fountain pens , including refills and ink , other office accessories , bags and purses , ecological gifts such as wooden toys .

In addition, we can most environmentally friendly products personalize for you. Do you want to Your municipality's logo on tote bags ? Would you like to give pencils with your slogan to potential customers? Or are you looking for a ecological trophy for your employee of the month? Contact us for a customized quote.

However, anyone can claim that they sell sustainable products.

That's why we do things differently at Ecobos. Before a product from one of our sustainable brands joins our range, it must meet strict criteria. First and foremost, everything must be made with respect for nature. Labels and logos are a crucial guarantee of this. Most of our environmentally friendly products have been expressly approved by one or more leading organisations. Think of FSC, PEFC, Fairtrade, GOTS, Der Blauer Engels or Groene Knop.

But it doesn't stop there. Just as important as the environmental impact are the working conditions during the production of sustainable products. At Ecobos you know that everything is made in healthy and safe conditions. Workers are not exploited and receive a fair price for their work.

This way, we know exactly where our products come from. Moreover, almost everything is made in Europe. This is how we limit emissions during transport. We have our wood products made from local wood species from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland. Our recycled paper and writing materials are primarily sourced from the Benelux region, Germany, and Italy. Furthermore, everything is delivered directly to us from the manufacturer. And everything can be fully recycled at the end of the process.

We are proud members of FSC, PEFC and The SHIFT

At Ecobos we actively contribute to a sustainable future. As a member of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) We support responsible forest management worldwide. Both organizations are committed to economic, social, and ecological sustainability. Their certifications guarantee that wood and wood products come from responsibly managed forests.

In addition, we are affiliated with The Shift , a Belgian network that promotes sustainable development. Together with our partners, we work on fair trade and sustainable solutions. This aligns perfectly with our mission and vision.

The Ecobos mission

"Caring for the Earth and its inhabitants is our MISSION."

We believe that a better world starts at affirmative action .

Good things do and take small steps to grand goals to realize.

It started with a few training sessions at the World Shop. And it led to the sale of thousands of eco-friendly products. But the work isn't finished yet. Together with you, we want to continue to move many more stones in the river in the coming years.

Ecobos: Good for you and nature too!