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Sep 23, 2008 7:21 pm US/Eastern
For Some, Going Green Is In The Bag
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
From grocery bags to handbags, more of the things we carry each day are made from eco-friendly materials. "I think it's just Increased awareness of the environment and things that are damaging to it and everyone's trying to do their one little piece to make it better," said Brooklyn resident Cindy Pfitzenmaier.
More people are skipping paper and plastic at checkout and bringing their own reusable bags.
"It does relieve the conscience a little bit and it's a good message to be seen with the bag as well. And more people will hopefully pick up on it and feel the same way," East Harlem resident Richard Lin said.
Even fashionistas are getting in on the action. Manhattan designer Beth Warner is the founder of "Raw Bags," a company that makes chic handbags out of raw and recycled materials like bamboo and old newspapers.
"One of the things I tried to do with this line was create a line that was affordable, eco-friendly but also fashion forward, something that you wouldn't have to sacrifice your style to carry. It would be something that you could make a difference but also you know look good doing that," Warner said.
New Jersey designer Danna Davis' bags were inspired by her Filipino heritage. She works with coconut shells, jute and sea grass to create products women can carry with eco-friendly pride. "I just truly believe there's room in a woman's wardrobe to be stylish and to be ecologically, eco-friendly and aware of what you're carrying - what it's made out of, where it's made, how it's made, and the impact it's leaving on the earth," she said.
These eco-friendly designer bags cost about the same as other handbags, ranging in price from $20 to $300.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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