From trash to world-class: get yourself a fashion tarp bag
LEADING WIRELESS SERVICES provider Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) formally launched a line of “high-quality, high-fashion” handbags made of discarded tarpaulin materials used for its own outdoor advertising.
Released under the Nautilus label of internationally renowned designer PJ Arañador, the bags are part of Smart’s initiatives to provide ecofriendly and sustainable livelihood to its adopted communities.
Designed by Arañador and handcrafted by the residents of the PLDTSmart Amazing Gawad Kalinga Village in Sooc, Arevalo District in Iloilo City, these bags are one of the outputs of Project Zero, a joint project of Smart, Arañador and Gawad Kalinga.
“We called it Project Zero because it all started with nothing but a stock room full of used tarpaulin billboards and banners,” said Arañador. “And by using zero electricity and leaving behind zero waste, we managed to create green products that will help support the livelihood of the Gawad Kalinga residents in Sooc.”
The product launching was held at Arañador’s Nautilus Shop at D’mall in Boracay, Aklan, where the products are now available to the island’s visitors and foreign tourists. Soon, the bags will be available in Gawad Kalinga’s GKOnomics showrooms across the country.
“When we started our partnership with Gawad Kalinga, we gave homes to several families in Sooc but did not stop there. We helped them build livelihood,” said Darwin Flores, Smart’s senior manager for Community Partnerships.
“We are glad that PJ Arañador came and helped us train the community in crafting more marketable, quality products,” Flores added.
An Ilonggo himself, Arañador conducted training for the residents of GK Sooc, Iloilo, infusing the Filipino influence in the bag designs. Aside from bags, he also trained the residents to come upwith other usable creations like baskets, trays and small furniture—all made of discarded tarpaulin materials.
The PLDT-SMART Amazing GK Village in Sooc that crafts the launched Nautilus bags is composed of more than 60 households with close to 400 members. Aside from tarpaulin recycling, Smart is also providing other means of livelihood like pulverizing tarpaulin to be turned into bricks for building and the creation of useful and decorative clay sculptures.