Ecoist & Mars Inc. Partner Up

Earlier this week, the huge confectioner company, Mars Inc. partnered with Ecoist the “recycled candy-wrapper handbag” maker.

They have set a few goals for their partnership that will include the following:

- Ecoist will manufacture and market a line of handbags made from obsolete candy wrappers and other packaging misprints from Mars-owned brands’

- The partnership will prevent more than five million candy wrappers from going to landfills during the first year

- Mars, Incorporated has committed to reducing its waste by 3 percent a year.

- As part of Ecoist’s commitment to environmental preservation, Ecoist and Mars will plant a tree for every product sold.

It would be great if these companies at some point started collecting wrappers from schools and the public. Nevertheless, it is still a step in the right direction to lessen their impact on the planet. I applaud companies who are taking steps in the right direction. What would even be greater is if they used all natural ingredients vs. the artificial crud!!For those of you who are unaware a quick lesson on Wikipedia will tell you that Mars Inc. is still a family owned business. Although, because they are privately owned  Mars Inc. does not cooperate with many widely publicized organizations, such as Fair trade, arguing that its own internal standards, rooted in the “Five Principles” deliver even better results. An example is the company’s Cocoa Sustainability initiative. Even though Mars Inc. does not practice Fair trade standards their new partner Ecoist does!!

The new handbags collection will be available tomorrow, September 20, 2009!  I really like their handbag and clutch collection but I also love the accessories too!

Yesterday, you learned that food/candy wrappers were in the top three finds on Coastal Cleanup Day! Such a shame that people can’t be more respectful to our planet. Just the other day, while we were at the park , I saw someone pick up the blanket they’d been laying on and walk away from their litter.   Of course, I walked right over and picked it up! Since we can’t make it to the beach I’m planning to take the kiddos out to the desert and or park and try to fill up a bag of trash in spirit of.

I LOVE companies who are trying to make a difference in a BIG way!