Growers and Grocers

Last week was more than a little bit of a test on my nerves: fires broke out directly east of my home. I was scared to say the least… scared enough to not sleep for days. Thankfully, the fire is under control and life is back to normal. But in those moments of almost… okay… FULL hysteria, I was at least smart enough to pack up the things that matter to me. I had an overnight bag packed with a change of clothes and also several pet carriers to hold all of the furry friends I have living with me.

But what about my camera? My laptop? All of the important papers in my files? I needed something compact and I needed it fast. Enter The Bazura Banner Shopping Bag. It just happened to be sitting by my front door, as I had just received it the day before. I snatched it up, threw in the laptop, camera, and large file. Scared it couldn’t hold that kind of weight, I picked it up to test its endurance. Not only did it hold everything (space-wise), but the bottom didn’t sag under the mass.

That bag sat by my front door for 72 hours without moving. Which means, we didn’t have to leave our house - thank goodness!

So while I didn’t end up having to use the bag, I, at least, knew it would’ve held up to heavy loads and panic attacks. Who do I have to thank for this? That would be the amazing people at Bazura. Bazura is a Canadian company that designs and sells eco-friendly bags and accessories, and also help to sustain a Women’s Co-Op in the Philippines.

Yes, these bags have a…funny…look to them, but their look is what makes them so amazing! The reason that these bags have Hunt’s Ketchup, Knott’s Berry Farm, and 70% off ads is because they ARE Hunt’s Ketchup, Knott’s Berry Farm, and 70% off ads! These non biodegradable ad banners, found throughout the Philippines, are saved from sitting in a landfill for hundreds of years when sewn by the Women’s Co-Op… a co-op, created by six Filipino women to provide local women with gainful employment, that has grown to over 800 today.

By transforming “basura,” the Filipino word for garbage, into unique collections of eco-chic bags and other accessories , Bazura Bags keep millions of juice containers and tons of pre-consumer waste out of crowded landfills and conserves resources that would be used to make products from virgin materials.

So next time you’re looking for a new bag to tote your groceries or a new purse for, well, the fun of it, take a look over at Bazura for a unique and uniquely earth friendly bag to add to your collection. Mother Earth is happy to let you borrow her credit card for such a purchase!