We know plastic is toxic and bad for the environment but how much do we truly understand the impact it has on the environment and why are we saying ‘NO’ to plastic bags? And if we’re discouraging the use of plastic bags we should then, as designers, present a totally sustainable alternative. Sustainability is not just about choosing the right material but also making sure it's coming from a sustainable source.
Cotton industry has sacrificed a lot of workers each year due to toxicity of the usage of biochemicals, pesticides and insecticides. Cotton is the world’s dirtiest crop using a crazy amount of insecticides compared to other crops. To keep the price competitive cotton has to be manufactured in the poorest part of Delhi, Shahpur Jat in Uzbekistan, where child workers are hired to work in conditions as close to slavery. Getting paid only four ringgit a day for a 14 hour shift. 'Natural' cotton in this light is not sustainable unless it's organic cotton.
Most people are carrying eco bags as a fashion statement because marketing has succeeded in achieving a must-have status. Fashion is so prolific that we can hardly keep track but must follow, blindly.
If we truly want to save the environment, we should start designing FOR the environment and most importantly have in mind the people who makes them for us.