Local product a trendly political statement
This fall’s upcoming fashion trend is surprisingly environmentally conscious.
From Hollywood to Boulder, totes and purse and bags made out of recyclables are all the rage. Even Paris Hilton was spotted carrying one.
An air of environmental action across the nation with an upcoming election as well as increasing awareness about global warming has made environmentalism the political issue of the year.
Joey Baum, a graduate of Boulder High School, decided to start his own line of recycled totes called Joey Pouches.
Joey Pouches
Bags designed to be both eco-friendly and consumer-friendly.
Now a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, Baum says his tote idea was inspired by a famous quote from Ghandi: “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.”
“Without Ghandi’s words, I probably would still be complaining about the lack of care that people have for the environment,” Baum said.
Joey Pouches are made out of unwoven polypropylene, and are designed to be recyclable. The totes are meant to be an environmentally friendly replacement for paper, plastic and canvas bags.
“The bags are retailed for less than $3. They hold about three to four times the volume of a regular plastic bag, which makes them extremely convenient,” Baum said.
The pouches are currently being sold at several Colorado locations like Lucky’s Market, The Middle Fish and Niwot Market. Baum is working on selling the bags to more retailers, as well as selling them to individuals online, through his Web site.
In 2006, Baum won the Young Entrepreneurs Competition for his eco-friendly tote idea.
Eco-friendly totes are not only a fashion trend but a political statement.
Several businesses around Boulder are beginning to catch on. Safeway as well as Whole Foods offer a 5 cent discount for every bag you bring in to carry your groceries.
Whole Foods even provides a 10 cent discount per bag during Earth Month in April, and Vitamin Cottage gives 5 cents to Habitat for Humanity for each bag you bring in.
“We sell bags made out of recycled plastic grocery bags for ninety-nine cents,” said Rachel Cassity, a cashier at Vitamin Cottage.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Emily Sturges at emily.sturges@colorado.edu.
