Fashion is Going Green

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May 28, 2008

Eco-friendly tote bags seem to be showing up everywhere. I always want to buy one when I see them in the store, but I wonder if these bags are going to be popular for long.

“I rarely see anyone using reusable bags,” said Andrew Avery, a Publix employee. “We sell them, but no one buys them to put their groceries in.”

Reusable bags come in a variety of colors, styles and prices. They can be bought at local grocery stores, malls, and even online. Unfortunately, the bags intended to reduce the use of plastic have just become another trend, and their popularity isnt refund when they shop and bring in reusable bags. The company vowed to eliminate plastic bags by Earth Day and started offering customers its “Better Bag” for 99 cents. Ikea also charges customers about 5 cents per plastic bag.

Regardless of the financial gain or loss, customers seem more concerned with style than environmental benefits.

Last summer, London designer Anya Hindmarch debuted her “I’m not a plastic bag” tote at select Whole Foods Markets. Fashion-savvy customers stood in line for hours just to get the new fashion accessory seen on celebrities like Jessica Alba and Keira Knightley. But the blue and white canvas bags, designed as a plastic bag alternative, were used to carry lip gloss and cell phones instead of apples and granola bars.

Customers continue to lug their groceries in free plastic bags provided by stores without thinking twice about the environmental consequences.

Hopefully, the eco-friendly trend will not get shoved in the back of a closet like last season’s Gucci bag, but instead become the environment’s little black dress: classic and always in style.