This is one of the best I have seen to reuse old newspaper. These bags are made from newspaper strips woven together with a cloth lining sewn on the inside. The handles are made of synthetic leather. (If they could get an organic replacement for the synthetic leather handles, this could totally green).
The concept and product started from Five friends, all BS Management students at the Ateneo de Manila University. It started out as a school project for Geline Chua Caedo, Richard Lim, Twinky Valeriano, Rachel Sy, and Angel Talastas who pooled together their ideas and P20,000 capital to start the business in October 2007.
The first batch of Zigzaggen bags were simple designs with no pockets and zippers. In the succeeding batches, the group was able to integrate pockets and flaps as well as zippers and magnetic buttons. They branded their product with the name “Zigzaggen” wich is the Dutch for ‘to weave,”
To ensure that the paper weaving does not disintegrate, it is finished with a special coating to make it water-resistant. Still, care must be taken not to expose the bag too long to water.
The best thing about this is that because the bag is made mainly of recycled newspapers collected from their homes and from relatives and friends, the group is able to minimize overhead costs. In addition to this, they have tap a community of underprivileged people to weave the banig (mat), paying workers per pieceand the assembly is subcontracted to another group.
Zigzaggen bags comes in small and large sizes and in 11 designs, including V-striped, H-stiped, Flat, Boat, Bob, Vee. Models come in 11 colors. To check all the design visit Zigzaggen bags on Multiply and they are seeing into the possibility of expanding its line to include clutch bags, wallets, and purses.
For orders, e-mail zigzaggen@yahoo.com or contact +63 917 7932295 and +63 917 5377401.
