She's A Betty

Envirosax Now Has U.S. Store

I first mentioned Envirosax in our Reusable Shopping Bag Guide. At the time, they were available in the U.S., but only in very limited quantities.

Now, however, Envirosax has opened a U.S. store. You can buy their full line directly from them for the best rate. Individual bags go for $7.95, a set of five goes for $35.00, and shipping charges range from $5.00-$10.00.

Reusable Shopping Bag Guide

I'm not a plastic bag. You, if you're reading this blog, are probably not a plastic bag either. I'm referring, of course, to Anya Hindmarch's much hyped canvas bag, left, which will descend upon America this June. The bag costs $15 (plus $15 shipping), a bargain for a Hindmarch; that said, if all you want is a reusable shopping bag, there are plenty of cheaper, eco-friendlier, and less self-righteous options. Five to think about:

1. Freebies

My choice. Chances are you already have suitable bags, garnered from business conferences, magazine offers, and relatives. You can also reuse paper or plastic bags from previous trips.

2. Grocery stores

Grocery stores benefit when you don't use plastic bags, so they'll sell bags cheap, or give them away. We've had luck at Publix and Whole Foods (Publix gave us one, Whole Foods sells them for $2+), and heard Trader Joe's sells them for a dollar. Whole Foods also gives you a 5 cent refund for bringing your own bags.

3. Baskets or bins

Keep everything in the buggy until you reach the car, then transfer groceries to a special bin or set of bins in the truck.

4. DIY bags

A perfect mix of form and function. Just be sure the bag is sturdy enough for cans, etc.

• Bags made from recycled plastic bags: My favorite example of these  (right) comes from the Dec/Jan 2007 issue of BUST. BUST still hasn't put any content online (why?), so I'd purchase the issue either from BUST's website or eBay.   

Also, online instructions for similar bags can be found at Craftster, the DIY Network, ReadyMade Blog, & MyRecycledBags.com.

• In light of San Francisco's recent ban, Fashion-Incubator's holding a "redesign the reusable shopping bag" contest (deadline: June 1st). Here's the first entry.

• UPDATE: Fab crafter U-handblog just put up excellent instructions for a sturdy and compact fabric bag.

5. Other retail options

If none of the above work for you, you can always buy bags from online retailers. However, I would spend no more than $45, preferably $9.00 or less per bag. They're going to get beaten up and dripped on anyway.

Four general store ideas:

• Reusable Bags. They offer the most comprehensive selection, even offering replacements for produce bags. I also like their recycled options.
• Thrift stores.
• Etsy. Style Bubble found 9 great bags on Etsy; we've also covered Etsy bag sellers (part 1, part 2).
• L.L. Bean totes ($16-$45).

Three bags that are recycled or benefit charity:

• Hayden-Harnett's Friends of Al Eco-Tote, $55.00 ($35 goes to charity).
• REfound Objects' Recycled Cement Bag (UK), £13.00 (store via Fly).
• UN World Food Programme's FEED bag, $59.95. The bag is reversible, and bag proceeds will feed a child for one school year. Shop Diary bought one & loves it.   

Four compact options that will fit in your purse or glove compartment:

• Large Floral Nylon Shopping Bag, $7.99, Container Store (via Awesome).
• ACME Bags Workhorse Style 1500, $9.95 (discounted when you buy 2 or more), Reusable Bags (via Fashion-Incubator). One of the best out there.
  
• Green Grocer's Foldable City Shopper, £1.49, is a good choice for UK shoppers. I've also heard that Asda and Tesco have good bags (via Core77).
• Graphic Series Pouches and Singles, $31.00 for 5 or $6.50 for one, Environsax. Envirosax has three different graphic series (the above pouch is sold out, but singles are still available), and an organics line (via Miss Malaprop).
• UPDATE: Three other brands to check out are Baggu, RuMe, & Flip & Tumble. All offer attractive compact bags for competitive prices.

Finally, if you live within walking distance of your grocery store, you might try a shopping trolley.  They're considered geriatric, but I'd take a trolley over no trolley any time.

Other ideas?  Let us know!

Ultra Records: Proper Education

A well-produced video featuring environmental activism, hoop earrings, free running, and Pink Floyd's "The Wall" remixed by DJ Eric Prydz.   Love it (via Triple Pundit via Core77, feed readers click through).

Guggenhouse: Eco-Chic Tableware

Here's a short selection of sustainable & affordable tableware.  Click individual images for more information.

First row, l-to-r: Sarah Cihat's famous recycled dishware, Transglass recycled carafes & glasses, biodegradable plastic bowls (cups also available).

Second row, l-to-r: Sol recycled glass dinnerware, beer bottle glasses, Fire & Light recycled glass tumblers.

Third row, l-to-r: VivaTerra recycled glass goblets (on sale), bamboo bowls (non-dishwasher-safe), recycled tin cups & teapots (art, not for use, not that affordable).

Introduction to Sustainable Fashion

During our 50 Under $50 series, we discovered that several of our favorite stores (Target, Forever 21, and others) had been accused of abusing their workers.  We were disturbed, to say the least, but persisted with the series, intending to address the issue in another post--i.e., this one. 

We want to dress well on our limited budget, while at the same time not support practices that harm workers or the environment.  It should be easy, but the truth is that most major retailers engage in some questionable practices, and it's difficult, if not impossible, to shop "mainstream" and not risk supporting unethical behavior.  Yet totally opting out isn't a practical option for most of us either.  So what to do?   

Our subsequent research yielded the info in this article, which, while barely scraping the surface of this complex issue, should give beginners enough to be getting on with.  Enjoy, and please share your opinions and resources with us in comments!

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING: A NOTE ON CLOTHING MAINTENANCE

According to Treehugger, clothing maintenance has the greatest impact on the environment, not production.  That means the best thing you can do for the environment is a) choose clothes that are hand or machine washable (not dry clean only); b) delay washing items until they truly need it; and  c) hang clothes to dry instead of using the dryer. 

The best part about this, of course, is that avoiding dryers and dry cleaning is easy, saves you money, and keeps your clothes from wearing out prematurely.  It's totally win-win.

SUSTAINABLE FASHION RESOURCES

• Treehugger is a great resource for all things green.  MUST READ: Eco-Tip: Choosing Green Clothes.
• Ideal Bite: Like an eco-friendly Daily Candy. 
• Style Will Save Us: Ezine dedicated to sustainable style.
• EcoStreet: A green business directory, blog, and forum.
• fiftyRX3: The eco-fashion blog.
• Fashion-Incubator offers "lessons from the sustainable factory floor."
• Fabulously Green: Pretty sustainable style blog with daily updates.

SUSTAINABLE CLOTHING OPTIONS

No matter where you shop, be sure to buy permanent, rather than fast, fashion.  In other words, buy well-constructed, timeless pieces that you'll wear for years, not just one season.  Read more about permanent vs fast fashion in this International Herald Tribune article.  Then check out these five sources for sustainable style. 

YOUR OWN CLOSET

As much as you can, use the clothing you already have!  Once every few months, sort through your clothes and take stock.  If you no longer wear certain items, try to figure out why not, and determine if you can fix them.  Some items are just not flattering, and nothing short of a complete overhaul will do.  In many cases, however, things can be fixed. 

For yellow armpit stains, I've heard that OxiClean (of the cheesy infomercial--seriously!) works well.  Holes can be sewn up or patched under (particularly in the crotch area, where pants tend to give out eventually).  Unstylish items can be rescued with a few tweaks.  Perhaps an item merely needs new buttons, or perhaps a skirt or dress can be tailored to a new length (the Wardrobe Refashion blog converted too-short pants into an incredibly cute skirt).  Misshapen sweaters and bulky shirts can easily be brought in on the sides, clothes in unflattering colors or with stains can be dyed, and plain items can embellished with embroidery, sequins, or even iron-on designs.

If you don't want an item, but it's still in fairly good condition, you also have a lot of budget & eco-friendly options.  You can sell clothes on-line, through eBay or through your own website (some also use blogs, like the ingenious Shop My Closet, to sell old items).  Other possibilities include consignment shops (best for well-kept designer clothing), clothing swaps, or donations to Goodwill, The Salvation Army, or other thrift shops (for the good karma & tax write-off). 

Even if you've simply worn an item to death, you can still make use of it.  Fabric scraps can be used by quilts, for patches, for cleaning rags, for tool belts, for aprons, for bowling bags...

VINTAGE

Vintage is essentially recycled clothing, and requires no additional labor or energy to produce.  One thing to watch out for, however, is that many vintage clothes require dry cleaning, which we've already mentioned as being bad for both the environment and your budget. 

See our On-line Vintage Clothing Directory for a list of our favorite on-line vintage stores.  We'll also try to post vintage shopping how-tos and tips soon.

RECONSTRUCTED VINTAGE/RECYCLED CLOTHING

Another burgeoning industry is reconstructed vintage clothing--i.e. using old clothes to create new, unique fashions.  It's a pretty exciting area, although too many times recycled materials = fugly clothes (Project Runway, anyone?).  Some labels to know: Tara Subkoff's Imitation of Christ, featured in the current BUST issue (Aug/Sept 2006); Toronto's Preloved; & this old thing? (menswear).

Closely related to reconstructed vintage clothing are clothes made from repurposed non-clothing material.  For example, I've seen umbrellas repurposed for clothing and toilet paper wedding gowns.  Accessories and household goods offer more recycled options, like Freitag's famous bags (plus their countless imitators), and items from recycled tires, recycled candy wrappers, recycled telephone wire...the list goes on.

DIY

By making your own clothing, you eliminate some transportation costs.  You can buy & use organic or vintage fabrics.  You also know who has made your clothing, and in what working conditions.  Finally, and most importantly, you can tailor your clothing to your needs, your body, your ethics, and your aesthetics.

Luckily, it's a great time to be a DIYer.  Sites like Craftster and PatternReview.com offer advice and community, as do countless blogs.  Helpful books (like Reader's Digest New Complete Guide to Sewing & Patternmaking for Fashion Design) abound.  Blogging software (see That's Hot, Modish, Miss Malaprop for starters) and auction sites like eBay and Etsy also offer entrepreneurial DIYers more effective ways to promote and sell their work. 

Alternatively, you can buy handmade clothing from indie designers.  There are too many talented designers out there (yet another post), but here are some to start with:

• CUT + PASTE: On-line consignment shop for indie designers.  Lots of great names and pieces in one place.
• Individual Designers: Anti-Factory, zuzupop, Supayana, Rebecca Turbow.

GREEN DESIGNERS

Green clothing lines are still playing catch-up.  Options are limited, and appear prohibitively expensive compared to less sustainable options.  Green clothes also still tend to be very "yoga," although thankfully that's changing.  Check out fiftyRX3's shopping sidebar for a nice list of lines & shops.  If you have time to surf, Treehugger's Fashion archive is probably the most complete green design resource out there.

Other resources, information we should know about?  Write us below!

Smart Girl, SMART Car

"Say hello to my little friend." 

The SMART Car, that is.  Mercedes is finally bringing them to the US, with a prolonged introduction starting in 2007, and actual sales starting in 2008 (though they are currently available here via ZAP).

Learn more about the 40 mpg heart-breaker at smartusa.com.

Basics: Urban Gardens

Basics is a series of money-saving tips for everyday expenses.

If you've ever picked apples on a farm, or eaten fresh, unwaxed produce from the farmer's market, you know how delicious local food can be.  What's more, eating local's better for the environment and often less expensive.

Even those far from the farm can enjoy a local harvest.  Many urban dwellers eat local by joining a CSA or shopping at farmer's markets (find both at LocalHarvest.org).  In addition, if you have some roof space, a balcony, or a sunny room, you can have a mini-garden of your own.  Here are 6 tips to get started.

First, check out the following books.  You Grow Girl is a pretty but solid gardening book by Gayla Trail (see also the info-packed You Grow Girl website).  The highly rated McGee & Stuckey's Bountiful Containers focuses on container kitchen gardening, while GRUB tells you how to prepare your sustainable eats (see also the GRUB website).  For more general overviews of sustainable eating & living, read The Real Food Revival (read an excerpt here) and The Newman's Own Organics Guide to a Good Life, co-written by Nell Newman. 

Second, visit the American Horticultural Society's website .  In it, you can find a Gardening Q and A, links to gardening resource center sites, and information on master gardener courses throughout the country.

Third, get your gardening supplies at Home Depot.  Actually, get them anywhere you like.  Smith & Hawken is pretty, if pricey; Shelterrific recommends GRDN, a similarly stylish store aimed at urban gardeners.  Domino Magazine's Black Book has great gardening supply links.

On the budget end, Home Depot, Wal-Mart & Lowe's have well-stocked gardening sections, and Target offers a Smith & Hawken line.  Local nurseries and farms are good resources (see the wonderful LocalHarvest Store).

You can also get used supplies at garage sales, on eBay, from family & friends (ask around--you're bound to find someone who's bought supplies they never use).  If you have several friends in the same building with their own gardens, you can always share gardening tools. 

Fourth, numerous blogs have mentioned the AeroGarden by AeroGrow International.  It features "NASA-tested Aeroponic Technology", and has daylight spectrum bulbs, making it perfect for those with darker apartments or blacker thumbs.  AeroGrow offers seedpacks for chilis, cherry tomatoes, international basil, petunias, and garden greens, but my favorite is the pack for herbs (cilantro, chives, italian basil, red rubin basil, dill, mint, and parsley, pictured at right), which are expensive fresh and spoil quickly.

Other possible solutions include this Upside-Down Tomato Garden from Hammacher Schlemmer and the Hortuba table profiled by Treehugger.  McGee & Stuckey's book, as mentioned before, specifically tackles gardening in small spaces using containers.

Fifth, the movie that taught me more about gardening than any other: Saving Grace.  It's not a great film, but for pure inspiration, nothing beats Grace's (a winning Brenda Blethyn) heroic rescue of a marijuana plant.

Sixth, learn more about kitchen gardens and eating a local diet (aka "the 100-mile diet") by visiting the following six blogs:

• Cold Climate Gardening
• In My Kitchen Garden, which is an offshoot of
• Farm Girl Fare, an wonderful website by a Missouri-based farmer.   She has the best mother's day post ever (featuring a lamb).
• Eat Local Challenge, which was recently profiled on Typepad's homepage.
• Treehugger tells you how to Grow Your Own Food.
• Life Begins At 30: Eat Local Challenge Section   
  

Another thing to consider is community gardens, a slightly different subject that deserves another post.  For now, see the Green Guerillas' website for more information.