Recycled Flip Flops Used to Create Unique Works of Art

UniquEco Champali Wildlife Sculptures Exemplify Compassion for the Environment, Fair Trade and Sustainable Living
 
June 15, 2008 - PRLog -- EDGEWATER (FL) -The shores of the Indian Ocean in eastern Africa are awash with industrial debris from as far away as China, Indonesia, Japan, and Malaysia. Hundreds of brightly-colored flip flop sandal pieces and parts wash ashore daily, not only causing blight along the coastlines but endangering the marine eco-system in the vast ocean that lies between these countries. The flip flop initiative by UniquEco is designed to clean up the environment by marketing products made from this waste back to the consumer who generated it, while providing employment opportunities to the poor communities hardest hit by this environmental degradation.

Champali means slipper in Swahili. Local women and children comb the shores to collect the indestructible pieces of rubber champali.  Talented artisans and sculptors in the village glue the pieces together in multicolored patterns, then hand carve each carefully crafted animal, transforming recycled waste into stunning works of art.  These unique pieces are now available through Organic Bug, a company specializing in contemporary eco-friendly, fair trade, and health-oriented merchandise, based in Edgewater (FL). Peggy English and Patty Nalley, co-founders of Organic Bug, offer these unique Champali Wildlife Sculptures through their online store at http://www.organicbug.com.

“These ingeniously crafted sculptures are a perfect example of how consumers can use their purchasing power to help preserve the precious marine environment at the same time providing employment opportunities to an inspired community half a world away! And they have a unique and exciting piece of art which they will enjoy for years to come!” said Ms. English.

The pieces are imported by Global Crafts, a fair trade company that works with artisan groups from around the world. The Champali Wildlife Sculptures from UniquEco Designs are sold through e-tailers like Organic Bug, The UniquEco Champali Animal Sculptures are featured in the Summer, 2008 issue of O at Home, Oprah's popular home decor quarterly magazine.

OrganicBug.com is a destination where one discovers a diverse assortment of goods produced to create a sustainable future for a vast audience.  Their primary objective is to build partnerships with artists, craftspeople, suppliers, and businesses who strive to create products that promote a healthy environment, social justice, personal health, and sustainable living; and offer these products to their customers. For more information, call 386.428.7050 or go online at http://www.organicbug.com.
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