Green Bag-It

These eco-friendly carriers are functional and fashionable.

BY LYNNE KONSTANTIN

WEAR YOUR CAUSE ON YOUR SLEEVE

Inspired by equal parts ecological altruism and a strong sense of design, Annette Ferber Adelman, a West

Bloomfield mother of four, has struck a fashionable and environmental chord with her reusable bags.

Frustrated by poorly functioning (and often unsightly) reusable grocery-store bags, Adelman sensed an

untapped market and set to work rethinking the concept. What she came up with wasn't just a brand-

new bag, but a system, with each collapsible and PVC-free bag containing additional smaller bags within.

Sacs of Life now offers 25 bags in various styles and colors — including the Duffster, shown, in the

Bella pattern (modeled by Adelman; $34.99), a small, lightweight pouch that unzips into a full-size col-
,
lapsible duffle. Look for them at Plum Market, Sav-Mor pharmacies and — starting this fall — Bed, Bath

& Beyond. Prices range from $11.99-$59.99. (248) 863-3148; Sacsoflife.com .

THE NEW BAGGIE

When Leslie Sarracino's and Heather Jacobs' 3-year-old sons became buddies,

the Los Angeles moms found out they had more in common than their kids:

a commitment to organic, sustainable living and the environment. And, where

P 8 •

PROFIT, PEOPLE, PLANET

better to start teaching how to live eco-friendly than with children? So the pair,

Based on this triple bottom line, Miami-based entrepreneurial brothers Yair

one a former preschool teacher and the other a former textile designer (fol-

and Jonathan Marcoschamer have created a thoughtful fashion statement.

lowed by a stint working for the late director/actor Sydney Pollack, but that's

The super-stylish bags their 6-year-old company, Ecoist, make are crafted

another story), respectively, launched Graze Organic and an adorable line of

from recycled and hand-folded candy wrappers, food packages and soda

reusable, washable snack and sandwich bags without any of the environmental

labels and tops (like the Diet Cherry Coke baguette style with detachable

consequences of plastic baggies. Soft, flexible and made of 100-percent certified

wristlet for $49, shown), based on a premise they discovered during a trip

organic, unbleached cotton, the bags display charming graphics that are hand

to Mexico. They also have a growing list of partners who donate misprinted

silk-screened with water-based inks. Plus they've got hook-and-loop closures

and waste-bound labels rather than discarding them, among them Coca-

on the top so the smallest fingers can open and close with ease. Perfect for the

Cola, Mars, Disney, Cliff Bar and more. A perk: Ecoist plants a tree for

lunchbox, diaper bag and purse. And did we mention they're adorable? Sets of

every handbag sold. Ecoist.com.

three/$24; sets of five/$38. Grazeorganic.com .

JULY 2010 •

JN platinum