Searching for Minimal Packaging

Fellow blogger Closet Environmentalist shared a great tip about requesting minimal packaging for online purchases. I thought this was such a brilliant and practical suggestion; I simply feel compelled to share this tip with you!

Usually, an online store will include a special note (or comment) section in the order. If you see this option, you can leave a note like this one:

“Please use minimal and recycled packaging. Kindly do not include any catalogs, inserts, fliers, shrink-wrap, bubble wrap, packing confetti, plastic “pillows,” or Styrofoam peanuts. (You can use crumpled up newspaper if padding is necessary.) Please do not include me in any mailing lists or exchange lists you may have. Thank you!"

With this tip in mind, I went online to purchase an organic t-shirt from Mountains of the Moon. I was eagerly searching for that "special note" section on their online form, but you know what? They don't have one! Sheesh, just my luck. Well, hopefully I'll receive my shirt without frivolous packaging--they're an environmentally-conscious business after all! :0)

Look *Hot* While Shopping at Whole Foods

Starting yesterday, 15 Whole Foods stores in New York City began selling 20,000 ultra-chic canvas bags that say,"I'm not a plastic bag." It wouldn't surprise me if these bags are sold-out by now. Each bag costs $15, which is an absolute bargain considering that folks were paying up to $1500 for the very same bag.

So New Yorkers are going to look hot while shopping at Whole Foods. According to Anya Hindmarch, the designer of these bags, it's all about supply and demand. If people think there's a limited edition, they're going to want those bags even more.

What a savvy approach to raising awareness about this bag issue! I guess if a person doesn't care about the environmental and/or economic issues regarding the consumption of plastic bags, they may still change their old ways all in the name of fashion!

Fashonistas Beware!

Apparently, recycled fashion is not only hip at Gordonstoun College, but also at the University of Idaho! Hey, wouldn't it be fun to host a student-sponsored fashion show at IU South Bend next year? For inspiration (and to see these Idaho students strut their stuff), click here.

Bag Haute Couture

Amanda,

I love that site! I just had to grab a couple of photos for everyone to see:

"The Bag Man"

And here's one more:

"Pretty in Paper Cups"

Nice!! In case you're wondering if these folks have indeed lost their marbles, the purpose of this fashion show was to support the Thailand Water Project. The models are actually students of Gordonstoun School, which is located in Scotland.

The school's motto is Plus est en Vous. In plain English, "There is more in you (than you think)."

Gordonstoun School elaborates on this point:

"This means each of us, in order to make a real contribution to life in our community and to gain a true sense of fulfilment, must move outside our comfort zone and develop that awesome potential that lies - sometimes deeply buried - in each of us. We need to be passionate about the things that matter and pursue them in a practical way. In this way the Mission is given life and is achieved by embracing the Motto."

Wow, what a compelling school motto!

Fashion Show

So this evening I was relatively "bored" and I decided to see how plastic bags might be used in the modeling industry. Being a model I have done all sorts of bizarre shoots. I thought there had to be some kind of high fashion site where they used junk. I came across this site that was rather interesting. Students made articles of clothing out of plastic bags and other recycled materials. What a fun idea! Perhaps you will find it interesting as well:) http://www.gordonstoun.org.uk/default.aspx?pageID=504

Clothing Outfitter That Recycles

One company that truly amazes myself when it comes to saving the planet from garbage is Patagonia. This company works with products that cause less harm to the environment. In 2005 Patagonia lauched a Common Threads Garment Recycling Program which customers could return their worn out clothes back for recycling. The recycling program uses a fiber-to-fiber recycling system to make new clothes out of old. Their main goal is about the environment and everything they make is safe for the environment. The recycling program means there will be less garments in our landfills and incinerators. We definitely need more companies like Patagonia to save our earth, and for our children and their children.

JIMH