Bloody Good Stuff: Nature Bags

Any smart economista worth her salt knows that when frequenting the grocery store, the proper response to the “paper or plastic” checkout question is “neither.” If you’re already making strides to go green – go all of the way! Many are trading in their store-bought reusable grocery bags for timely totes that make a difference.

Allow your dollars to go a long way by investing in Nature Bags. A tradition that stretches thousands of years back into the history of Southeast Asia, women in the Khmu ethnic group of Laos craft each bag by hand. Made out of Kudzu, (a perennial vine with a deep spreading root that grows quickly during the rainy season), now Nature Bags not only display the talent of a self -sustaining culture, but are also being sold to consumers worldwide.

The project was initiated by a 22-year-old student and Laos native- Bonsou Keoamphone. The son of a poor rice farmer, he sought to link his people, the Khmu’s, with the modern world. Funded by a retired Iowa philanthropist, Keoamphone facilitated the project by setting up a price negotiation system with native families that create the bags. The profits are returned to the makers of the bags; with one goal in mind - poverty reduction.

“Our methods define “green.” Our ecological footprint is negligible (if not negative). Asia’s poorest people working in their villages are our partners, improving their lives by what we do.” (Nature Bag)

While providing “sustainable fashion, environmental awareness and participatory poverty elimination,” the bags are also ultra-durable. With the ability to carry everything from books and gym supplies to groceries, the Nature Bag is lightweight and stretchable, while remaining strong.

“This is not your mother’s generic mesh-like bag. The walls of the Nature Bags have considerable stretch and form around the items inside. Fragile items such as fruits and vegetables are much less likely to be bruised, and the unique mesh design of the bag permits airflow throughout. Because each Nature Bag is handmade at homes of the Khmu tribe members and not in a factory, no two bags are identical.”

Prices range from $10 - $75 (USD). So if you’re committed to going green – all the way- logon to www.naturebag.org to find out more information about Ocean Splash’s Bloody Good Stuff item of the week.