Ecoist Luxe Recycled Bags: Trash to Trendy

You'll never look at your old candy wrappers, shiny soda labels, and crumbled newspaper in the same way again once you encounter the recycled Luxe bag collection at Ecoist. Handmade in Mexico and Peru, look closely and you'll find striking clutches, purses and totes created from the wrappers of discontinued candy lines and misprinted food packages. Instead of the unwanted wrappers cluttering up landfills, Ecoist uses the raw materials to create unique handbags and other gifts. Ecoist handbags is known to use soda can pull-tabs, rice bags, movie billboards, and sustainable fabrics, like organic cotton, hemp, and jute to spread their vision of recycled, repurposed goods. In a flash of familiar red and white, Ecoist has also paired up with the Coca-Cola Company to repurpose misprinted and bottle labels ready for the garbage. In Peru, a fair trade women's cooperative is responsible for created these iconic, limited edition, handcrafted purses. To get an idea of the eco-friendly handbags of Ecoist, I present the Luxe Collection: The Daily ($158) My favorite bag is by far the Daily. Strong, well built, and resistant to water, the Daily pays homage to hard-working journalists in light, spacious, eco-chic fashion. Made from handfolded, recycled candy wrappers, this bag comes in Confetti, Newspaper, and trendy black and white selections with a fashionable plastic shoulder strap and magnetic snap closure. Measurements: 15"L x 12"H x 6"W (inches). Looking for something similar yet larger? The Mega ($188) is 21"L x 14"H x 7"W. The OC ($138) The OC is entirely made from 100% repurposed candy wrappers, soda labels, and food packages – a work of art entirely fashioned by hand. Reliable and water resistant, this Fair Trade bag offers a magnetic close and attractive 3" cutout handle. Measurements: 16"L x 7.5"H x 2"W; Colors: Emerald or Copper Diva Clutch With shades of green or your choice of diamond, silver, and amethyst, the Diva Clutch is handmade in Mexico and Peru – all created from repurposed candy wrappers. This Fair Trade bag is strong, sturdy, and resistant to water. Measurements: 12"L x 4.5"H x 1.5"W (inches). Maia ($188) One of the largest bags offered in the Luxe Collection is Maia, a water resistant purse comprised of recycled candy wrappers, soda labels, and food packages – all folded by hand. Self-lined and with a matching zipper closure, the Maia possesses a unique braided feature with plastic shoulder straps & tassels that give off the appearance of leather. This option is only available through the Ecoist website. Measurements: 15"L x 8"H x 9"W (inches); Colors: Raspberry or Confetti