Engage Green: The Art of Upcycling – Messenger Bag Review

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Engage Green Messenger Bag Review

Brooklyn, 2007, Leonor Mendoza began to design sustainable upscale and everyday goods which people use in their everyday lives.  Nothing new about that, people do it every day.  However, what people were not doing everyday was making those products out of what other people considered waste- recycled paper and plastic bottles- therefore turning waste into luxury, and creating her company, Engage Green.

Today Engage Green is leading by example, proving that creating durable and fashionable goods without chemicals or other harmful effects to the environment is not only possible, but is quickly becoming a new way of life.

They have been awarded the Green America Business Seal of Approval for working “to set the highest standards in environmental sustainability and social justice, and work to solve, rather than create, environmental and social problems.”

Not only are their products green, they are artful and stylish, durable and functional.  These products include purses, messenger bags, umbrellas, backpacks, totes, satchels, bags, wristlets and more, all made from woven recycled paper, recycled plastic, cork, organic hemp and organic cotton.  I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to receive one of their Penguin and Rooster Messenger bags.

This olive green and blue messenger bag is made from recycled plastic (PETE) and is completely waterproof.  To me, it feels slightly similar to canvass and is extremely well made and durable.  The front flap fastens with Velcro and a snap, and has the penguin on a rooster like the Engage Green logo, another penguin and some decorative colors as the design.

There is a small organizer pocket on the front panel with four little pockets that are the perfect size to put pens, pencils, a small notepad, a calculator and more.  Inside there is a zipper pocket and plenty of room for a laptop, notebooks, magazines or whatever else you choose to carry.  It has a cell phone pocket on one side, a mesh pocket on the other and another zippered pocket on the back.

Perfect for school or work, or to use as a laptop case or a funky purse.  I have used it to carry my laptop with cords, discs and more, as an overnight bag and as a bag to carry my library books.  It is very cute, versatile and handy!  I love it!

Here are some fun recycling facts I found on the Engage Green website:

• approximately 18 used plastic bottles (16oz) make 1 yard of Engage Green’s fabric
• 4800 used plastic bottles (16oz) saves 1 cubic yard of the landfill
• according to the EPA, 1 pound of plastic containers (PETE) save approximately 12,000 BTU’s per yard