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Envirosax also offers a colorful, there is another category of green bags

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working with paper is used to create bags and accessories
cartoon-driven collection for children. that is making a fashion statement:
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in a wide variety of shapes and patterns.
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Little Packrats, which was introduced handbags made from candy wrappers,
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The Miami-based wholesaler Ecoist works with a

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by Cathy Berse-Hurley, owner of newspapers and even carpet remnants.
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similar concept. Instead of ending up in landfills, the
.
CBHstudio based in Groton, MA, Several years ago discarded candy
discarded packaging from discontinued candy lines and
also produces PVC-free neoprene wrappers, old newspapers, and recycled
misprinted food labels are woven into one-of-a-kind
totes for children. “For kids, cute still bottles were not exactly common
patterns.
trumps all,” she says. materials used to create stylish handbags
Company co-founder, Jonathan Marcoschamer,
Many bag manufacturers agree and totes. However, over the course of
believes the use of recycled materials to make products is
that strong graphics drive sales. “If the last few years, the green trend has
recycling yesterday’s news. After
a trend that is here to stay. Marcoschamer has seen
the bags are pretty, your customers made its mark on the gift industry,
being cut, sewn, and laminated, back
everything from subway maps to tires be transformed into
agricultural chemicals and gallons of freshwater as
will want to use them,” says Soria- changing the way designers think
issues of The News LA, The New
innovative products. He points out that Ecoist plants a
contrasted against conventional cotton totes. The company,
Musgrove. about raw materials. Today’s eco-
York Times, and Los Angeles Times,
tree for every bag sold and pays fair wages.
with North American headquarters in Brooklyn, NY, also
conscious consumers are more aware of
become fashionable totes.
The ReBagz line from wholesaler Half the Sky Designs
Green bags as eco-chic
wholesales clothing and other accessories made with
what they’re buying and how production
Vintage kimono and obi sashes
in Van Nuys, CA, uses discarded juice boxes to create bags
statements
organic hemp.
processes and shipping methods are
from Japan are a source of inspiration
large and small and even cosmetic cases.
While there is a big surge of reusable
Then there’s the Atlanta company, Gorilla Sacks, that
impacting the environment.
for Kimono Designs based in
totes to replace plastic grocery bags,
“Awareness [of ] ethical fashion
Springfield, MO. Thanks to artist New materials
works with recycled vinyl billboards to create handbags
and related issues is on the rise in the
Theresa Gallup, the torn garments, Hemp, linen, and bamboo viscose are also popular
and other accessories. The company donates 10% of all
U.S., the Netherlands, France, and
which would ordinarily be destined materials for bags. The company Fair Hemp wholesales
profits to Gorilla Haven in Georgia, a sanctuary for zoo
the UK,” says Eva Anastasiu, editor of
for the trash, are recycled into elegant bags made with a mixture of organic hemp and plastic
gorillas that cannot be housed in commercial zoos for
ecofashionworld.com, an online news
handbags. recycled from soda bottles. Alex Devito of Fair Hemp says
various reasons.
portal, magazine, and guide for green,
A similar concept forms the basis the company’s usage of hemp saves many pounds of
TOKYObay is the U.S. distributor for CarryEco bags
made of heavyweight, water-repellant canvas or entirely of
ethical, and sustainable fashion.
for Erda bags where scraps of fabric
recycled plastic bottles. The bags are manufactured
Anastasiu adds that this new eco-chic
and leather from upscale fabric mills
according to ethical standards that have been audited by
category is a “growth industry” worth
all over, are recycled into handcrafted
the European audit company, Bureau Veritas Group.
watching.
bags. The company, based in
Cambridge, ME, employs a few local
This year, Envirosax plans on introducing certified,
Recycled is chic
women as well. One of their newest
organic cotton bags. CBHstudio is also breaking ground
When it comes to using recycled
products is a line of lunch coolers
with new materials, and is launching Sty-Aisle, a
materials, designers look everywhere.
called Incognito.
collection of bags, accessories, and pet products made from
Take the example of The News LA.
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The company Nahui Ollin, based
recycled carpets. These carpets were once used as flooring
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The business’ corporate philosophy,
in Eatontown, NJ, works with
U for trade shows.
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B “Read it today. Wear it tomorrow”
discarded candy wrappers to create
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What’s next? Coles of The News LA, is seeing an
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K was once a school project for owner
Y emergence of customized themes that will allow customers
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handmade purses and handbags. An
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Dahli Coles, who makes a living by
ancient Mayan craft tradition of
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to make their own personal statements.
GREENRetailerMag.com Winter/Spring 2009 n GREENRetailer 25
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