# From Trash to Fashion By Nigel Goodwin | Published 2006-02-27 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/from-trash-to-fashion References: [news.bbc](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4670612.stm) Entrepreneurs in New Delhi, India have found a way to craft fashionable handbags from discarded plastic bags. In New Delhi, polyethylene bags litter the streets, clog drainpipes and present environmental hazards. Anita and Shaleb Ahuja used their life savings to establish a non-governmental organization called Conserve to solve the problem. Conserve's employees collect and wash the polyethylene bags and mould them into thicker sheets of plastic. The plastic is then stiched into bright, colorful handbags which are sold at a proft. Conserve now employs 300 people. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.5/10 - Popularity: 77% | Activity: 49% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Hip Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/hipfashion) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Upcycled Fashion:** Creating fashionable products from discarded materials like plastic bags. - **Sustainable Entrepreneurship:** Establishing businesses that address environmental issues and create economic opportunities. - **Circular Economy:** Transitioning from a linear 'take-make-waste' model to a system that emphasizes recycling and reusing materials. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Fashion:** Creating sustainable fashion accessories from upcycled materials like plastic bags. - **Waste Management:** Developing innovative solutions for managing and recycling plastic waste. - **Social Entrepreneurship:** Empowering individuals and communities by combining business strategies with social and environmental goals. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Eco-Friendly Indian Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/latin-quarters.md) - [Retail Overconsumption Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coachtopia-1.md) - [Sustainably Handcrafted Bag Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-tote-of-hope.md) - [Recycled Plastic Furniture Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bristol-plastic-factory.md) - [Model-Backed Carrying Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/catriona-gray.md) - [Upcycled Aircraft Luggages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emirates-2.md) - [Recycled Plastic Tiny Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recycled-plastic-tiny-home.md) - [Sustainably-Focused Experimental Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/upcycled-fashion-collection.md) - [Seafood Waste Bioplastics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/natnov-bioscience.md)