Three Design-Savvy Recycled Salt and Pepper Sets

Features Editor at TreeHugger.com, Design Journalist

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I hate disposable salt and pepper grinders. These things should really be banned. Plastic, packaging, carbon foot print...and then after a few months, they go right in the trash. Why? Because the manufacturers want you to buy new ones -- and therefore make them impossible to refill.

Yes, salt and pepper sets are fixtures in most households. But chances are, if you buy one good quality pair once, it should last forever. If you are in the market, here are three design-savvy sets made from recycled materials that are sure to spice up your dinner table.

recycled salt pepper henk stallinga greenergrassdesign photo

Photo: Via Greenergrassdesign

1) The Taste of Talking Salt and Pepper Set
Now this set is sure to get the conversation started: The Taste of Talking Salt and Pepper Set by Henk Stallinga repurposes the receiver and mouthpiece of a phone, and sticks them on the indicator switches of an original Morris Mini. Stallinga's innovation got the design community buzzing too: The design is now part of the exclusive collection at New York's Museum of Modern Art. Available at Greenergrassdesign for $26.

recycled salt pepper alex turner photo 2) Cue n' 8 Salt and Pepper Set
Standard British 8 pool balls make the jump from the pool table to your kitchen with the Cue n' 8 Salt and Pepper Set by Alex Turner, and available through Eco Centric for about $46. Each ball is drilled

Photo: Via Eco Centric

hollow to hold the salt and pepper, and the bases are ground flat (A necessary perk: They won't roll off the table).

recycled pepper mill cam lavers photo 3) Reclaimed Wood Pepper Grinders from Cam Lavers

Or perhaps, you are looking for something more organic-looking.

Photo: Via Cam Lavers Design

How about a reclaimed wood pepper grinder from artist Cam Lavers? Each mill is carved out of naturally fallen tree branches -- they even have exclusive lines gnawed by beavers and deers.