Sierra Blogging Post Archives

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.