Kitchen Sink Bag
XSProject, an Indonesian foundation whose mission is to raise awareness on environmental damage and poverty through innovative design, is slated to enter the European market with a range of bags and accessories, totally in tune with the European passion for style and concern for the environment.
“Europeans are already environmentally aware, with a highly sophisticated sense of design as well, and our products embody the values and appreciation of the arts that people hold dear in this region”, says Ann Wizer, XSProject’s founder who is also an artist and environmentalist.
XSProject creates functional products, such as totes, laptop bags and sling bags, wallets, pencil cases, lunch boxes and make-up pouches, all made from non-recyclable plastic trash. “The main idea is to reduce the volume of plastic trash that ends up choking landfills, by producing innovatively designed products that are great to look at and fun to use, the sort that people would love to carry everywhere they go”, adds Wizer.
Apart from their unique design, these bags carry strong social values too, as they provide new earning opportunities for the less advantaged, who are trained in the production process by XSProject. The training includes pattern designing and sewing techniques, and quality control to maintain high production standards. “We want to provide the poor with the skills to increase their standard of living”, Wizer says.
The foundation also buys the plastic directly from trash pickers at well above market price. “This type of plastic is not recyclable, and will most likely stay in the landfill forever, negatively impacting our environment if we do nothing about it”, she explains.
Since it was established in 2002, XSProject has re-used 14 tons of non-biodegradable plastic waste. “We need more people to be involved in this project. The more people use and buy this product, the more trash we can reduce”, explains Wizer.
XSProject products are now available in Europe. Customers can buy through its website: http://www.xsproject.eu.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
