Matt & Nat Bi-Line Vegan Bags

Montreal-based eco fashion company Matt & Nat has been producing highly fashionable vegan bags and accessories for more than seven years.

The company is different from many others who make greener bags because their focus is always on fashion and design.  Since creating the company in 2000, founder Inder Bedi strives to be avant-garde while maintaining ethical business practices.

It is at the core of the company's philosophy to choose to contribute positively to the world.  To Inder this means using no animal by-products of any kind in his products, constantly giving back to the community, and spreading the positivity to as many as possible.

Matt & Nat's new 2008 Bi-line collection of unisex bags and wallets is well worth a look.  Sustainable is Good Products has been checking out the Gosling fold over messenger bag.  Made from pebble vegan leather the bag has every feature you'd need in a bag of its kind and will satisfy a number applications. 

The attention to detail in the Gosling is immediately noticeable with the antique silver finish hardware and exposed brown stitching adding a touch of character to the bag's classic design.  The Gosling is a modern messenger bag in the style of a classic saddle bag.  Its unique style make it a winner and the perfect bag for work, school or travel for the eco-conscious fashion aware guy or gal.  We like bags that are versatile and well made - and the Gosling is just that.

We love the detailing on the adjustable canvas strap, but its the antique moss green faux suede lining in our bag that we keep going back to as an example of a detailing choice that sets this bag apart from others.  Our sample bag was brown with silver hardware and moss moss green lining in all of the pockets and zippered compartments (of which there are many).  The lining is reminiscent of the top of a 19th century writing desk or classically styled upholstered saloon chair - its terrific.

Available in brown, black or indigo the Gosling is a top choice for a unique stylish bag from a company whose focus is on ethical business and sustainability. 

Coca-Cola Drink 2 Wear Recycled Shirts at Wal-Mart

 
Wal-Mart in store informational display on the new shirts

Wal-Mart will begin selling Coca-Cola t-shirts made from recycled bottles in 400 stores and online this coming Monday April 14.

The shirts are made out of a fabric made from recycled #1 PET plastic (rPET).  The Coke shirts are part of the Drink 2 Wear line which Coca-Cola has been selling through their own web site.

The launch of the shirts are part of Wal-Mart's Earth Month promotion designed to start promoting eco-friendly food and clothing.

According to published reports Wal-Mart will heavily advertise the shirts through a variety of media outlets.

The recycled shirts will retail for $7.50.

Billabong ECO Supreme Suede Boardshorts

Popular clothing maker Billabong is using a new material called ECO Supreme Suede for some of its boardshorts and swim suits.

The exclusive material is eco-friendly made from recycled textiles and plastic soda bottles (rPET). The company says its cool new material doesn't sacrifice on quality.

ECO Supreme Suede is part of an overall plan by the company to work towards reducing contamination and providing cleaner air, soil and water.

Approximately 10 plastic bottles are used to create one pair of boardshorts, which helps reduce the impact we humans have on the environment, especially on landfill. "When it comes down to it, if you have an option to buy a pair of boardshorts that are actually lessoning our impact on the world we live in, the choice is simple," said Billabong freesurfer Dave "Rasta" Rastovich.

Billabong's Sonic (pictured) and United Nations boardshorts are both made from the ECO Supreme Suede and available in the U.S. Billabong's limited edition Wolfmother is also made from the eco-friendly fabric. 

flip & tumble reusable bag

Flip & Tumble's 24-7 bag is a new entry into the reusable bag arena.  The bag is different than most other reusable bags because of its unique design and clever features.  The result of a partnership between designers Hetal Jariwala and Eva Bauer, flip & tumble's 24-7 bag offers shoppers a highly portable fashionable reusable bag.

The bags are designed to fit closely to the body and work equally as well for grocery shopping as they do running other errands.  The 24-7 folds into a tiny pouch and is durable enough to hold up to 20lbs.  The bag features a felted area on the reverse of the strap so it doesn't slip as easily when worn over the shoulder.  Flip & tumble's 24-7 bag is designed to be the ideal "go-to" bag so you always have a reusable bag on hand preventing the need to plastic disposable bags.

We had the chance to test out the 24-7 and found it to be quite practical.  The bag performs exactly as designed its the perfect thing to keep on hand in your briefcase, purse or car it takes up virtually no room and is an ideal general purpose reusable bag.  Often times reusable bags designed for carrying groceries aren't the most practical for other types of shopping.  The 24-7 fits the bill and is also a rather fashionable item.  The bag's design is low profile it fits close to the body and doesn't get in the way while shopping or walking around.

The bags sell online for $12 through flip & tumble's website. Over its lifetime, each 24-7 bag can easily save over 1,000 disposable plastic bags the company says.

Ecoist Handbags

 

Miami-based Ecoist, makers of unique gifts and fashion accessories made from repurposed materials announced a partnership with the Coca-Cola Company yesterday.  Ecoist is known for their handbags make from repurposed candy wrappers, food packages, billboards and soft drink labels.   

Under the partnership Ecoist will launch a new line of handbags made from repurposed Coca-Cola bottle labels.  US Newswire reports most of the labels will be sourced from Coca-Cola bottlers or label manufacturers in Peru where Ecoist has been working in a production center operated by Prosostenible S.A. a fair trade manufacturer.

As you might expect this is another great PR item for Coca-Cola and they aren't wasting any time treating it as such. 

"We are very excited to be working with Ecoist. They are the ideal partners for Coke's continuous involvement with environmental initiatives. We have made great strides in reducing our waste output from our bottling plants or label manufacturing facilities, and we are constantly seeking ways to further reduce our environmental footprint. This partnership allows us to repurpose materials. Best of all, we are helping to create greater awareness on environmentally and socially responsible consumption. We want to inspire others to act," says Kelli Sogar, Merchandise Manager, Worldwide Licensing and Retail Operations of The Coca-Cola Company.

Ecoist was founded in 2004. It is a family run business doing most of its production in facilities in Peru and Mexico.  The company prides themselves in Fair Trade practices and their products are sold across the US at natural & boutique specialty type stores.