GREEN LIVING IN THE VALLEY

Weaving With Middle School Bread Bags

Valley Vogue Collections (www.valleyvogue.com) is a small business located in the Indian Orchard Mills. It is owned and operated by two women who also teach in an alternative education classroom in Converse Middle School in Palmer, Massachusetts. Recently Valley Vogue Collections introduced a new series of bags that are woven from bread bags collected from the middle school cafeteria. Students and cafeteria staff have eagerly waited for the premier of the “Bread Bag”. Valley Vogue has joined the ranks of those that enjoy a “green living”.

Green living can start indoors by choosing recycled plastic products, finding new and creative uses for old items, and cutting back our use of natural resources. It is best defined as protecting our environment by conserving and effectively using resources. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), Americans recycle only 5% of all plastics in this country. Plastic recycling rates lag far behind those of other items. 11% of household waste is made up of plastic. When shopping at the grocery store, many Americans request paper instead of plastic in hopes that they are preserving resources. It takes 7 trucks to deliver paper bags where 1 truck can transport the same amount of plastic bags. Consider this. If a use for those plastic bags can be found, would it not be better to request plastic?

Valley Vogue Collection’s lunch bag is not only strong and durable, but can be rinsed in the sink and dry in time for the following day. Valley Vogue Collection plans to debut their lunch bag at a series of fairs and shows this holiday season. To support “green living”, you can purchase the “Bread Bag” for the “brown bagger” in your life.

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For more information on this subject or to schedule an interview with Valley Vogue Collections, call Susan Cagan at #413-427-5323 or email vvogue@comcast.net.