Eco-Fashion: From Garbage to “Great Handbag!”
by Allie Comeau on May 13, 2008 
3 comments
What can you make out of garbage? Just about anything. Handbags, tote bags, jewelry, clothing, shoes… you name it. And it all looks great, too - although funky and original might be better words.
While the amount of waste in the world continues to multiply, some manufactures are putting it to good use. Eco-fashion is the latest buzzword in the green movement and it’s gaining quite a following. Companies like Patagonia have been making PCR® (Post-Consumer Recycled) fleece out of recycled plastic soda bottles for years now, but the trend is no longer limited to the outdoor industry.
Fashionable handbags, tote bags, jewelry, shoes and even apparel can be made of post-consumer waste. Several chic designers have jumped on the bandwagon and celebrities like supermodel Petra Nemcova and Lindsay Lohan have been seen wearing eco-fashions. That’s a good sign - celebrities (unfortunate as it sometimes may be) are role models for young adults and could help raise the demand for recycled fashions.
Timbuk2 has also created a line of totes made of recycled plastic bags, but they’re having a little trouble rolling them out. They’ve met resistance from companies like Target, who objected to having their logo (from their plastic bags) as part of the new tote bag collection. Hopefully that issue will soon be resolved - Timbuk2 bags are the best. I’d definitely add a recycled version to my collection.
From the article on CNN…
“We tap into that source of waste because it is reliable and unfortunately it’s abundant,” said Ecoist (a recycled goods manufacturer) co-founder Jonathan Marcoschamer. “We believe that for the next few years there’s going to be a significant amount.”
How about 7.6 billion tons of waste? That’s how much trash American companies toss each year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
You could make a lot of accessories with 7.6 billion tons of waste. Not only would you be reducing waste, you’d also be conserving other resources that would have otherwise been used.
Start the trend in your home today - check out our selection of recycled shoes and clothing. Eco-friendly fabrics are another great option. Visit the Guide to Eco-Friendly Fabric for a heads-up on the fabrics that leave the smallest footprint on the planet.
May 14th, 2008 @ 12:43 pm
While I completely agree with going green, being good stewards of our earth and doing all we can to help the environment- I sometimes get discouraged at the cost of trying. It seems that what is good for you costs even more. I want to eat healthy and I want to buy PCR items to help get rid of waste, but why does it have to cost so much? Even at STP’s great prices, $50 for a pair of recycled shoes is a bit beyond my budget (and with today’s downhill economy, somewhat irresponsible). I wish there were a less expensive way to be responsible.
Sure, the celebirites can buy all of the green things they want, but what about the normal working American?
May 22nd, 2008 @ 2:29 pm
Sarah,
I totally agree with everything you’re saying. Look at it this way, it’s for a good cause and if you want quality then you have to fork over big bucks for it. In the end it benefits the earth and everyone who has to live in it.
When my heating system broke down on me, instead of paying an arm and a leg to fix it I just replaced it and switched to bioheat! I’d rather just pay the money and have something last me for a lifetime than to invest almost my whole salary to keep fixing my heating system. Ever since I have decided to go green I must say that this has to be one of the best changes I have made so far. Bioheat is non-toxic and made with biodegradable products like soybean oil. How cool am I to be able to tell people that I heat up my home in the winter time with that? It’s such a good a good investment, and OMG during the cold seasons it’s definitely my best friend right along with my ugg boots.
Working for NORA is what encouraged me to be green all year around instead of just on earth day. Slight changes in my daily routine make more of a difference than I thought it would. I got some really cool tips from:
http://oilheatamerica.com/index.mv?screen=bioheat.
Check it out and see what other suggestions are available that you might be interested in.
May 23rd, 2008 @ 7:49 am
I understand what you’re saying, too. Some of these eco fashions are expensive. But you certainly don’t need to buy recycled designer handbags to be green. Reducing, reusing and recycling is actually pretty cheap (if not entirely free). There are many ways to be more eco-friendly - from using less electricity and water to reducing the amount of plastic you purchase to buying local produce. You don’t have to be wealthy to be environmentally responsible - not by a long shot.
Thanks for your comment!