GREENIE #11

Morgen has not one but two shops devoted to eco-friendly design and products! Starting as a textile and clothing designer with Inky Spider she branched out with Kootsac after becoming increasingly concerned with the amount of plastic used for bulk goods in her shopping cart! I feel the same way when I'm shopping and I try not to use the plastic bags for veggies and fruit but what about the rice and beans! This is such a great solution!

1.When did you decide to start making eco-friendly stuff and what triggered your going green?I think the concept of ‘going green’ was a gradual process of learning for me. The more aware I became the more I realized that there is just so much that needs to be done. About a year ago , whilst shopping in my favorite natural food store, I suddenly realized how much plastic filled our shopping carts. Beautiful organic nuts, grains, pulses and other healthy dried goods go home in a zillion plastic bags. I was appalled when I considered how many plastic bags we throw away in a year.I wanted to find an alternative. They needed to be lightweight, yet strong, re-usable, washable and would fasten with a twist tie. They had to be capable of holding any bulk food item, even flour, without leakage. So I came up with my re-usable food bags.

2.What recycled, reused, or eco-concious materials do you typically use? What is your favorite?As a textile artist and designer I have always used natural fibres because they just felt better on my body. I dye, print and paint my designs on organic cotton tshirts . I love to use natural fibres like silk, cotton, wool, linen and hemp in my clothing and houseware designs. My bulk food bags, however, are made of ripstop nylon because that was the best fabric for the job. It was a hard call for me to make but when I weigh it up against the amount of plastic bags it saves from entering the landfill, then I can live with it.

3. What non-art or craft related things do you try to do to lead an eco-savvy life?We grow as much of our own produce as we can. I walk or take a bus most of the time. I purchase organic, local, handmade and support small businesses. If I have to buy from afar, I try to get fair trade.

4. What is the one thing you wish people would do more of to contribute to the green cause?Use public transport and encourage their governments and municipalities to create more. Consider the environmental and social issues that their consumer habits will impact and make changes even if it costs more. We need to understand that social, environmental and economic issues are all linked.

5. Do you have a green hero? Artist or environmentalist or just uber-eco friend?Environmentalist: David Suzuki / Artist: Andy Goldsworthy

Thanks, Morgen! And welcome everyone to week three of the Greenies! Only two more weeks to go so if you want to particpate click on the button over there --->.