Ecoist.com sells handbags and accessories made from repurposed candy wrappers, food labels, movie posters, billboards, and other materials that would otherwise have ended up in landfills. Their collections are designed by artists from around the world, and are manufactured in non-sweatshop, free trade environments.
We believe that style comes first. However, by promoting our brand, we hope to enhance the planet, elevate consumer consciousness, and transmit our values, not just our sense of style.
Ecoist.com
Ecoist’s bags are pretty pricey at $25 – $150 for any bags approximating a practical size, though they do carry other items and have periodic sales. You can do what I do and window-shop by signing up for their email newsletter. You’ll be entered in a monthly drawing for a free handbag; besides, the newsletter is just fun to look at for the adorable and innovative designs they carry:
Coasters, Subway collection, $18
_A_z.jpg "coin purse")
Coin purse, Sprinkles collection, $22
_md.jpg "baguette")
Baguette, Coca-Cola collection, $48
Small Tote (made from a movie billboard), One-of-a-kind collection, $48
_md.jpg "the lbd")
The LBD, Confetti collection, $60
-1_md.jpg "francisca")
Francisca (made from soda can tabs), one-of-a-kind collection, $84
_md.jpg "the daily")
The Daily, One-of-a-kind collection, $158
Ecoist’s website also has a photo gallery that offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at all of the work that goes into making one handbag:
Coca-Cola bottlers provide off-spec labels that could have otherwise end up in landfills.
The labels are cut according to design specifications.
Each piece is folded individually to create a module; modules are interlaced to create braids which are then sewn to make bags.
The zipper is placed and the bag is complete.
Look to Ecoist’s website to learn more about their business model and philosophy, the variety of media coverage they’ve gotten, and of course, all the collections and products I didn’t have space to cover.
exploring berkeley 
3 comments
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September 29, 2008 at 11:05 pm
natalie
oh my god. soooooooooooooo cute. I love this article. i want the soda cap purse
September 30, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Jessica
Wow!
It took me ages to find your comment button, just to type those 4 characters. Sigh.
I guess I’ll know for next time.
Great post, very informative and easy on the eye :)
November 15, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Katherine
@natalie: i know, but even with the sales i can’t afford these bags, however cute they may be.
@jessica: thanks for heading over to wordpress to drop me a comment! i anticipate be posting a few of these picture-focused pieces in the coming week.