The Melbourne-based philanthropist Tony Clark couldn't continue ignoring the 15,000 people who are forced to brave the cold streets of Australia alone, so his company Swags for Homeless began handing out sleeping bags to those without shelter. Now it's a national craze!
The "Backpack bed" isn't just an ordinary sleeping bag -- it's flame-retardant, comfortable and water resistant. Moreover, the bedroll is windproof, protected from mosquitoes and half the weight of traditional canvas sacks! It should be no surprise that Swags for Homeless was awarded the Red Dot "Best of the Best" prize, which remains among the most important distinctions in the world of product design.
For the time being, the Backpack bed retails for $68 on the official Swags for Homeless website, with a percentage of the revenue being forwarded to help end homelessness. Best of all, the Australian government will be rewarding the philanthropic work of Tony Clark and plans to hand out these sleeping bags at shelters nationwide!
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Mobile Housing for Homeless
- Innovative sleeping bags designed for the homeless population to provide durable, comfortable, and mobile housing.
- Flame-retardant Textiles
- The use of flame-retardant textiles to produce sleeping bags for the homeless is a trend that can expand into creating flame-resistant clothing and other safety gear for various industries.
- Socially Responsible Products
- Companies that prioritize social responsibility and social impact by producing products that address societal issues, like homelessness, are becoming increasingly popular and profitable.
Sectors Adopting This
- Outdoor Gear and Camping
- The outdoor gear and camping industry can adopt the use of flame-retardant and water-resistant textiles to produce durable and long-lasting equipment and clothing.
- Non-profits and Social Enterprises
- Non-profits and social enterprises can partner with companies to produce socially responsible products that can create a positive impact, drive sales, and raise awareness for their causes.
- Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief
- Flame-resistant and water-resistant textiles can be highly applicable in the emergency preparedness and disaster relief industry to produce safety equipment such as fire-resistant blankets and protective gear.
