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Messenger bags, purses, wallets, cellphone bags... all made in Nepal in partnership with Ganesh Himal Trading. Since 1984 Denise and Ric at Ganesh Himal have been working with many of the same craftspeople. They have on-going relationships that continue to grow and, from what I can tell, become more creative each year. Recycled rubber bags are just one example of how a love of people and the planet can produce creative connections near and far.
Sadle, the Nepali group of artists who make the rubber bags, care about fair trade, worker's rights and the environment. Denise says, "They are passionate about promoting Nepali goods that benefit the environment." Besides recycled rubber, they create useful goods from wild hemp, no-kill leather, and organic cotton using vegetable dyes.
A garage business across from Sadle would burn used inner tubes to dispose of them. Sadle's manager, Aryal who also lives in the neighborhood, couldn't stand the black smoke and pollution. The Salde group knew there had to be a creative solution-- so they decided there had to be something they could make from the inner tubes.
Aryal asked the other businessman if he could have the inner tubes. The man was thrilled to get rid of them. Then Aryal consulted with one of Sadle's customers to design a simple bag. Soon after, Denise, Ric and their son Cameron were in Nepal and saw the prototype. They thought it was fantastic and worked on the first two designs for Ganesh Himal Trading. They were an immediate hit and more designs were quickly in the works.
The garage owner then realized he had a sell-able commodity, instead of "trash". He can now sell the inner tubes which increases his revenue and encourages re-use. Ganesh Himal and Sadle continue to design distinctive new items and have incorporated wild hemp, to feature wild fibers of Nepal.
The bags have been such a hit that they are hard to keep in stock and Sadle is buying used inner tubes from various sources to stockpile and try and keep up with demand.
Creative connections for people, the planet, and prosperity for all, just a typical day in Fair Trade.
--DeLona
