What is perhaps most worrying about current global consumption trends is that they are unsustainable. While the situation is worst in the industrialized west, the rest of the world has been playing catch up and this paints a rather gloomy picture for the future of our planet. Yet all is not lost. The world needs to move from the consumption of mass produced products and, wherever possible, embrace handmade products. Today, there are many sustainable products available in the market and these include handmade bags, toys, baskets and shawls among many other products.

While factory production of some goods is inevitable sometimes, the consequences on the environment are so ruinous that alternatives have to be sought as a matter of urgency. Factories consume massive amounts of electricity and other forms of energy and, in addition, end up polluting the environment. Most of the mass production also depends on the use of non-renewable forms of energy such as fossil fuels and unless alternatives are developed, such production must come to an end in the not-too-distant future.

For sustainability, handmade is the way to go. Most handmade products are produced from people’s own homes or in community settings. The workers do not to travel in polluting cars and airplanes nor do their actions pollute environments as do factories. In any case, most handmade products are made from recycled material which would otherwise pose a disposal problem. While use of handmade products is great news for the environment, it is equally wonderful for the artisans who make these products. In most cases, the artisans are a group of women or youth in a third world country who do not have any other source of income. Using handmade products therefore helps reduce global poverty and increases access to education and better health.

Working from home or in community settings, the people involved in the production of handmade products remain close to their families. This is especially important for women – they are able to engage in income-generating activities without giving up their parenting duties. Unlike mass-produced factory made products, each product made by hand has a unique story to tell. This kind of production allows for great customization and creativity. In fact, handmade goods provide an excellent opportunity to learn about other cultures which is important in our ever-shrinking global village.

The use of products made by marginalized groups such as rural women and youth in self-help groups encourages the promotion of human rights. The ability of members in such groups to obtain an income empowers them and not only promotes their human dignity but also provides an excellent forum for educating an entire group on additional matters such as proper nutrition, democratic governance and many other important human rights issues. Forums such as these could actually be the ideal way to fight for and promote fundamental human rights especially in countries where the majority are poor and far-removed from the governing classes. Wherever the opportunity to buy a handmade product arises, it would be prudent to take it.

Ellie Lewis recently purchased a couple of handmade bags for her daughters. She ordered some sustainable products online to give as gifts.

For more information on handmade bags go to
http://www.handmadeexpressions.net/ .

Author Bio: Ellie Lewis recently purchased a couple of handmade bags for her daughters. She ordered some sustainable products online to give as gifts.

Category: Business
Keywords: handmade bags,sustainable products