Newspapers account for 13% of all landfill space around America, so it’s exciting to see Couture Planet repurposing some of these papers to create its distinctive eco-friendly purses.
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.
