Although using a fabric tote bag instead of plastic ones won’t single-handedly save the planet, there’s still a strong case for the tote bags, designed in collaboration with the Cambodian Women’s Support Group (CWSG). These tote bags are crafted from upcycled cotton, a surplus material from Cambodia’s textile industry, already existing in the market. This approach not only repurposes waste but also supports sustainable practices. The production of these tote bags by CWSG under fair conditions also contributes to a positive social impact, supporting the livelihoods of marginalized Cambodian women.
CWSG (Cambodia Women’s Support Group) is a group of women in Phnom Penh, skilled in sewing, embroidery and design. The group was founded by Ky Kanary in 2014, with the purpose of providing the women in the group with a source of income from selling different kinds of beautiful, handmade products. Some of the women are skilled in sewing, while others excel in embroidery and design, and when developing new products to sell, they try to make the best use of the inherent talent in the group.