The company came about when Connie Carman, a hotel store manager, observed the way old papers piled up each day. She began to make bags from the papers as a hobby, but they became so popular the concept gave birth to a thriving green business called Couture Planet.

Couture Planet uses clippings supplied by customers, or other interesting stories its team finds. These clippings are framed, laminated, and layered for stability before being sent to a stitcher. Each bag generally saves 30 to 40 newspaper pages from the scrapheap.

While turning old newspapers into accessories is obviously a great green initiative, the practice can also be unexpectedly sentimental. Many of the company's bags serve as keepsakes for customers who've been saving special newspaper clippings for years.

Keeping its production in Massachusetts helps Couture Planet minimize its carbon footprint and remain proudly American owned and made. Carman acknowledges the bags could be made cheaper in China, but says "That is not why we started this company, and we just can't sell out like that."

Couture Planet is proud of its roots and makes sure to give back to its community. It employs local high school seniors to help them develop their skills and gain valuable workplace experience.

The Couture Planet purses retail for between $38 and $80 depending on their size. The company is happy to create custom orders, but their regular bags are also available from selected retailers in 14 American states.

[Source: The Boston Globe]
[Image Source: Couture Planet website]

British designer Inghua Ting might love incorporating salvaged seatbelts into her accessories, but they're much more stylish than anything we've seen from casual label Harveys.

Seat belts are just one item Ting upcycles to create her handbags and wallets. Ting bags also feature old leather belts, vintage saddles, and other found materials. These accents are complemented by reclaimed leathers, tie silks, and other vintage fabrics. Even the buckles are made from reclaimed belt hardware! Ting sees the beauty in these disused goods and breathes new life into them without sacrificing their original integrity.

After graduating from the Royal College of Art, Ting spent time working with innovative new materials in Japan. Ironically being on the forefront of fabric technology led her to contemplate sustainability, and so Ting was born in 2000. Twelve years have passed but Ting remains just as committed to producing high class accessories using sustainable materials and practices. By using salvaged materials Ting ensures each bag is completely unique. They're also completely handmade to ensure their quality is first class.

Ting bags are available in a range of sizes, from wallets to everyday satchels and totes and larger weekenders. Shop for the Ting and Ting London accessory lines at the Ting website.

[Source: Ting website]

Canadian accessories firm Mariclaro turns car waste into durable green laptop sleeves, briefcases, backpacks, and messenger bags.

No material is off limits for the Toronto-based label. It uses truck tarpaulins, leather upholstery, bicycle inner tubes, seat belts, and even exploded air bags to craft its eco-friendly purses. We've seen many of these materials in other handbags, but I don't think I've ever seen a label making such good use of the entire vehicle. Mariclaro performs a real green service, as 99% of the items it salvages are intended for landfill. Company founders Sven Schegel and Willa Murray intercept the car parts before they can reach the scrapheap.

Luxury lovers and car enthusiasts are also catered for with Mariclaro's limited edition handbags. These are made from the parts of luxury vehicles including Lincolns, Cadillacs, and Mercedes-Benzes. As they cost a fraction of the original cars, they're a great gift option for anyone with ambitions of owning a high-end vehicle. Each one comes bundled with a frame picture of the original car its pieces came from and a one-year guarantee.

Mariclaro is a relative newcomer to the fashion game with only three years under its belt. However it's started strong, and last year earned the Globe Award for Environmental Excellence.

Are you impressed by Mariclaro's bags?

[Source: Ecouterre]

Soham Dave's love of meditation, spirituality, and creativity inspired him to launch the innovative apparel, handbags, and jewelry range that shares his name. The label's products are crafted from natural, biodegradable materials worked by hand to minimize the company's carbon footprint. Many of the fabrics are also recycled or upcycled to reduce the planet's waste.

Traditional artisans create Soham Dave's materials for fair trade wages. The practice keeps their native crafts alive and exposes them to a wider audience. The label enjoys promoting these time honored techniques and even helps its artisans refine their skills. I particularly like the hand block printed Ajrak and the handspun Khadi materials that are so unique and well made.

The Soham Dave handbags also contain some of the most intricate hand embroidery I've ever seen. And don't worry about those vibrant hues; all cotton threads are colored using natural dyes so they don't harm the planet. Even the leather handles and trims are reclaimed. This is a label that takes its green credentials seriously.

Soham Dave apparel items and accessories are available from selected boutiques in the United States and the Soham Dave website.

[Source: Soham Dave]

Dialog Worldbutik believes fashion is about more than looking good. The international design house works hard to give back to the planet and its people.

The label's signature handbags are crafted from salvaged fabric offcuts collected from local tailors. By using material remnants Dialog ensures every purse is a true original.

Dialog Worldbutik employs Asian people in need, including single mothers, tsunami survivors, HIV victims, and people with mental and physical disabilities. They piece together the fabrics in a process that acts as a kind of therapy, and earn fair trade wages for their efforts. The artisans send their trimmings to Dialog Worldbutik's headquarters in Hong Kong where the company's seamstresses add the finishing touches. The Chinese head office employs disabled artisans who are encouraged to develop their craft skills.

But the journey these day bags and clutch purses make still isn't done. Finally the Dialog Worldbutik accessories fly to leading retailers in Europe, and Australia, and the United States where they're snapped up by discerning fashionistas. If the Dialog Worldbutik bags aren't available at an outlet near you you can always find them at the label's online store. The green company also offers free shipping around the world, so you needn't worry about any sneaky extra fees at the checkout!

[Source: Dialog Worldbutik]

The stitched seatbelt finish is Harveys trademark, but we've never seen the durable materials used in quite this way. The large bucket shape, with a drawstring closure, is much more intricate than the label's usual accessories. I also appreciate the way Harveys has used colored seatbelts to create stylish stripes. When form and fashion meet like this it's always a good thing.

I could do without the fiddly drawstring, but I concede that it gives the Berkeley a lovely casual slouch. There's also a magnetic snap underneath it, so we needn't worry about our cargo going astray. This bucket offers plenty of space and enough pockets to keep our small items in order.

As it's part of Harveys Treecycle line, we can count on this bucket bag being a bit more eco-friendly than the rest of the label's range. Its signature print lining is crafted from hemp, a material which leaves a much smaller carbon footprint than cotton and other popular choices. Its recycled logos are also green as they're printed with eco-friendly ink.

We pay a small premium for Harveys sustainable choices, but at $168 this bucket is still really affordable. I think taking better care of the planet is worth that, don't you?

More Features of This Harveys Treecycle Bucket Bag

• A single cross-body strap
• Measures 13 x 12 x 4.5 inches

Get this Harveys Berkeley Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock)
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Harveys bags on BagBunch
• The black Harveys Berkeley bag, a great alternative to this striped bag.
• Searching for more Harveys bags on eBay
• Other Harveys Treecycle bags on eBay:

NEW HARVEYS SEATBELT BAG TREECYCLE LARGE SATCHEL HANDBAG FREE SHIPPING US $132.99   Auction Ends: 25d 17h 51m Make it yours...

NWT Harveys Seatbelt Bags Treecycle Clutch Wallet US $84.99   Auction Ends: 21d 16h 32m Make it yours...

The Portland native transforms jeans, T-shirts, and sheets into sweetly styled, original accessories. They're a bit girly, but they should appeal to tweens, teens, and women in touch with their feminine sides. Each purse features a "handmade with recycled materials" stamp to remind users of the item's heritage and eco-friendly credentials. There's a great range of designs to choose from including coin purses, wallets, totes, and shoulder bags in a variety of colorful prints.

The materials might not be very high class, but it's admirable that Corbin's designs keep the fabrics out of landfill. By using ordinary clothes, Corbin also ensures that her handbags are machine washable. That's great news for anyone who laments the stains that bags inevitably show after a season or two.

Right now Corbin uses her own materials, but I'd love to see her expand to create a customized service. I can imagine it'd be really popular with moms wanting to hold on to their baby's clothes a little longer, or women finally willing to let their too small skinny jeans go! Until then we can browse her recycled fabric handbags through her etsy store.

[Source: Meg Expressions]

Brazilian artisans turn old canvas tarps into fashionable handbags and hats for the sustainable accessories line appropriately called The Real Deal.

As each hat and bag is handmade from old materials, we know that each one is truly unique. The individual character of the tarpaulins shins through the designs. You might find patches, Portugese writing, ink marks, or even small holes in the material, but these blemishes only add to the authenticity. They remind us of the journey the fabrics have taken to this point, which is a powerful message for any sustainable fashion accessory. The handcrafting also ensures each handbag and hat is of the highest quality. You don't get expert stitching like this from a factory conveyor belt!

Sustainable design is one thing, but I'm thrilled to see The Real Deal also offers the little extras that bag lovers demand. We get cell phone pouches and divider pockets as well as a range of shapes. With backpacks, wallets, totes, duffel bags, and laptop cases, all that's missing is after five wear!

I don’t expect to see high class clutches added any time soon, because The Real Deal bags don't try to be anything they're not. This isn’t a case of upcycled materials being transformed into high class materials. Instead they're shabby chic, and proud of it. That rustic aesthetic is an acquired taste, but one that's a refreshing addition to the fashion landscape. The Real Deal bags and hats are available from the label's website.

[Source: The Real Deal]

The Real Deal Bags on eBay

NEW The Real Deal Brazil Manaus Shoulder Bag Canvas US $39.99   Auction Ends: 21d 13h 16m Make it yours...

NEW The Real Deal Brazil Belem Backpack Canvas US $55.99   Auction Ends: 21d 13h 16m Make it yours...

My favorite Mei Vintage handbags are handcrafted from authentic vintage kimonos. The approach allows us to enjoy the gorgeous embroidered patterns and silky finish to the fabric while also keeping the items out of landfill and minimizing the usual production carbon footprint. By using deconstructed kimonos rather than traditional reams of fabric, Huang ensures these Mei Vintage bags are true originals.

Other Mei Vintage accessories take a more typical Western approach. I appreciate the buttery soft Italian leathers and fashion-forward designs, but these bags don't make quite the same impact. Mei Vintage is at its best when it's marching to the beat of its own drum rather than following the lead of other fashion houses. At least the bags maintain their green credentials as they're made with leather remnants rather than brand new skins.

Mei Vintage's commitment to sustainable design isn't just skin deep either. The label's handbags are lined with a hemp cotton fabric, which is much greener than traditional alternatives.

Mei Vintage's collection features hobos, satchels, and cross-body bags for daytime wear alongside as clutch purses and wallets. The purses are made in limited quantities, which make them feel that much more special. They're currently available at selected American boutiques and Mei Vintage's website. European and Asian fashionistas can look forward to the label launching on their continents soon.

[Source: PR.com]
[Image Source: Mei Vintage]

Kimono Bags on eBay

Silk Kimono Hippie Hobo Floral Bag Purse Sling Crossbody Messenger Thai Handmade US $18.99   Auction Ends: 27d 21h 14m Make it yours...

※【Fuji】From JAPAN・Made by Gorgeous Kimono Cloth PURSE・1 US $4.90   0 Bid Auction Ends: 7h 46m Make it yours...

The quartet of designing divas at Plastenka proves the old adage that one person's trash is another's treasure with their sustainable accessories range. The ladies turn plastic-based waste into their unique purses.

The Hungary-based label isn't discerning about the litter it uses. The exteriors of their handbags are made from a hodgepodge of plastic products including coffee and tobacco pouches and plastic sacks. The interiors are just as green as they're lined with old advertising banners.

Using plastic of course keeps the non-biodegradable substance out of landfill, but it's also a smart design choice. Those same qualities that prevent the material breaking down also help it withstand some serious punishment. The fabric is also waterproof, so you needn't worry about getting caught in a sudden downpour!

The range is also comprehensive enough to appeal to any fashionista. There are everyday wallets and belt bags for girls about town, laptop skins for the geeks, and messenger style bike bags for keen cyclists. These styles are also available in a range of sizes to appeal to the pack rats and girls who prefer to travel light.

Sadly the Plastenka accessories are a little difficult to track down. They're available a range of boutiques in Budapest, and the designers will happily fill e-mail orders for European customers. Hopefully it's only a matter of time before green girls around the globe can indulge in these upcycled beauties!

[Source: Plastenka website]