Shopping Bags Around the World

Here’s something I expect we’ll see more of…

The last time I was home – and, yes, it has been awhile – my mum had the coolest bag from TESCO, one of the UK’s largest supermarket chains.

I couldn’t take my eyes off the print. It was a classic floral and instantly recognizable as a Cath Kidston print.

For the uninitiated, Cath Kidston is a designer who transforms traditional English prints into smart, modern home goods, clothing and accessories. Colorful fabrics and designs are her signature.

That’s what made the tote so desirable.

My mum’s bag was one of eight Cath Kidston-designed reusable totes that TESCO introduced last year. Each bears one of her signature vintage-inspired prints, including a classic-looking holiday tote. According to the TESCO Web site, each bag is made from nine recycled soda bottles. They even include an illustration depicting the transformation from soda bottles to eco shopping bag.

The story doesn’t end there. For each bag purchased, neither TESCO nor Cath Kidston profit from sales of the eco bag. Instead, the companies are contributing 50p per bag (approximately 75 cents) to the Marie Curie Cancer Care Charity – with more than £400,000 (approximately $635,000) raised and 6 million plastic bottles saved from the landfill.

I’ll be surprised if designer-inspired eco totes don’t start popping up all over the place in the not-so-distant future.
–Suzanne