issue 5 

Money spinner in your bin

"I couldn`t bear the thought of all the plastic, and baby nappies going into the rubbish bins and worrying about the effect it had on the environment. I was determined to find a way to use the plastic to make handbags!" says Unine Allen, founder of For the Love of Recycling bag designs and full time mother of three.

Between the two mothers, Unine and Lauryn Bredell, her business partner and also a mother of 2, they have created a source of income by designing and making eco-friendly fashion hand bags. The plastic is sourced from local recycling points, personal bins as well as friends and neighbours. They use all types of plastic, for example salad packaging and bottle tops from juice containers to craft their bags.

All bags are 100% recyclable, reducing their business’ carbon footprint. Their range of bags include beach bags, baby bags and handbags. Soon to arrive are small clutch bags. The bags were created to be practical, and suit the mum on the go to even the most fashion conscious amongst us. Whilst caring for the planet at the same time. "Basically I love handbags! " explained Unine when asked what her inspiration behind this business was. ‘

"I had wanted to make handbags for about 3 years now, since the birth of my second child. But finding the time was always a problem. I had stopped working but desperately needed extra money. After my daughter had a kidney infection at 9 months, I did some research and it didn’t take me long to learn the harsh disadvantages of choosing unnatural products and food." She became aware of the benefits of going totally natural and organic for her and the rest of her family. After making this lifestyle change, recycling became her next top priority.

Skills are going to be shared

Lauryn is making plans to branch out and get other mothers from different communities involved. This will give them skills to create an income and turn waste into anything they want. What one single person decides to do today creates the next generation’s path of tomorrow.

For more information contact Unine on 0845123032 or uallan@telkomsa.net or Lauren on 0722558015 or pinkellies@hotmail.com

Author : Amy Davis