Recycling Plastic - Designer Bags From The Ecoist

This year, kick the plastic habit inshaAllah with the ECOIST

It may not seem like the greatest of life's resolutions but in UK alone, billions of plastic bags are left to clog up the clean streets, wildlife and oceans. The Ecoist is one spiffy eco-store that recycles junk and even plastic bags to make fabulous new and long-lasting reusable bags.

Large companies and grocery stores have put in bids to reduce their plastic bag production, which contributes vastly to pollution and toxic waste; and as plastic is not bio-degradable it's left to collect in tons. Once it's used, it's unusable.

You'd be surprised to know that almost half of UAE's Falaj Mualla camels choked on plastic bags in 2010 - that's how much of a catastrophic deal it is. Even the environmental guy Jim Carrey protests against them.

The Ecoist has designed reusable zipped shopping bags which I'm particularly liking. You can buy various recycled bags these days (and I have'em all) - hemp bags, heavy duty tote bags that unfold/zip for carrying loads around. The Ecoist provides a set of 5 with a drawstring, zip and/or handle for $38 (around £24 - I haven't checked the exchange rate):


Animal Planet Pouches

Reusable Bags - Origami

Green Planet Pouches

"Chic, inexpensive and compact, these reusable shopping bags carry the message of re-use to a world ready for a brighter ecological future."

• Tested for strength & safety
• Super strong, holds 44lbs
• Fully washable - won't fade
• Super convenient & water-resistant
• Fashionable & fun - a great gift idea!
• Solution to one-use plastic bag

Cutesy, fashionable things, this looks like a good investment for students and mothers (you know, when you need to have a separate bag for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g?). I want a set now.