Inhabitat » SUSTAINABLE STYLE: Ecoist recycled MTA map clutch

June 29, 2008

SUSTAINABLE STYLE: Ecoist recycled MTA map clutch

by Abigail Doan

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We love our mass transit art here at Inhabitat, but never envisioned it as something that you could flaunt dangling off your wrist. The Ecoist MTA clutch is a colorful and cute way to navigate city streets in sleek sustainable style. Made from 100% repurposed NYC subway maps, this wristlet clutch is perfect for urban jaunts and lightweight toting. A trash-to-treasure accessory such as this is not only an eco-friendly way to repurpose materials, but also serves as a streamline, incognito way to stash personal belongings!

Strong, sturdy, and water resistant – clutch accessories never functioned so practically while looking so chic. Crafted out of hand-folded, recycled NYC subway maps that are coated with cellophane, this zip-close and self-lined bag is perfect for a cell phone, keys, glasses, and an eco-lip balm. The plastic wristlet is also detachable. Ecoist’s products are Fair Trade and made in Mexico and Peru. Ecoist also makes other super cute clutches out of candy wrappers, soda labels, and food packaging. A sustainably sweet and resourceful enterprise!

$22 - $58 from Ecoist

+ Ecoist
+ Also available at Eco Citizen

4 Responses to “SUSTAINABLE STYLE: Ecoist recycled MTA map clutch”

ugocrazy Says:

June 29th, 2008 at 12:32 pm

“A trash-to-treasure accessory such as this is not only an eco-friendly way to repurpose materials,”

well i\\\’d be interrested to see if indeed the MTA maps come from trash cans (they do look like brand new maps) or if they were blatantly taken new right off the shelves. In which case it would make this project non sustainable and somewhat irrelevant to this site.

Abigail Doan Says:

June 29th, 2008 at 1:17 pm

Thanks for your comment, “ugocrazy”.

I just wrote to Ecoist to clarify this inquiry. The maps are not “blatantly taken right off the shelves” - they are recycled/repurposed from surplus and waste, but I will let them answer to this.

In the end, Ecoist’s intention seems more than honorable in terms of creating good, clean product. I particularly like that they are pushing the envelope in terms of redefining what we typically view as being fashionable and resourceful.

- Abigail @ Inhabitat

endemicworld.com Says:

June 29th, 2008 at 7:43 pm

Those are pretty cool. Reminds me of Eric Orrs works on NYC underground maps

http://www.bravemind.com/ericart/subwayseries/sub_ser_index.html

We need to be careful making utilitarian products from upcycled resources though. It may in turn create demand for the waste, instead of actually helping decrease our waste. Just a thought. Its like Europe trading trash to power their power stations. Now they need more rubbish to keep them efficient. These are the kind of back fires we need to be careful about.

Abigail Doan Says:

June 30th, 2008 at 7:42 am

Dear Readers, “ugocrazy” specifically -

I received this reply this morning from Ecoist re: the “recycling” of MTA maps for their clutches:

Hi Abigail,

Thanks for writing about us. Our bags are made from either misprinted or outdated versions of the maps. They are not taken from the trash, but rather from the MTA directly.

Here is more info:

http://www.ecoist.com/pc/pressdetail.asp?pressreleaseid=11

Thank you !

Jonathan Marcoschamer at Ecoist

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