Housewarming gifts are always a warm gesture as friends settle into their new home. It seems to make a day brighter to be thought of in the midst of hard work - unpacking and organizing.

We have a charming recycled silver picture frame that could double up as a back to school gift too as children get their school pictures taken this fall. The silver shown is the inside lining of a recycled potato chip bag.

This would be a three-way gift idea, as you give a useful gift for any home, for children's photos and plus you would be giving $5.00 to charity. What a wonderful way to spend $20.00!

Waste

Did you know that 80% of what Americans throw away is recyclable and yet our recycling rate is just 28%? And did you also know that approximately 20% of everything grown in the US is wasted?

This is why five ACCESSORIES is working so hard to provide products that are made out of recyclable items such as chip bags, bottle caps, pop can tabs, rice bags and leather. This reduces waste not only here in the US, but in the countries we are partnering with: Cambodia, Bali, Guatemala, India and Honduras. We are turning waste into fashion products at http://www.fiveaccessores.com/

Back to School Eco Friendly Supplies

Summer is nearly over and school is just around the corner. School supplies are on your shopping list to buy or perhaps to give. That's we wanted to share a great charity back to school gift idea! Did you know that our recycled sunglasses case would make a cool pencil holder? This bright, funky glass case...or pencil holder is made from recycled chip bags. It is sturdy, well made and water resistant. The best thing about for you is 15% of the sale would be a charitable contribution. You cannot beat that for a charity back to school gift. See here for more details.

Eco Friendly Rice Bags

Did you know that in 2006 6.2 million tons of rice were harvested in Cambodia? that 70% of the population of Cambodia lives in rural areas and that 50% of the population works in rice fields and marketing?

While Cambodia can command higher prices for its rice than Thailand and Vietnam because it is a higher quality rice, the average rice farmer still only makes about $135 per year. Farmers use very primitive harvesting techniques.The solution to this is not easy due to culture and education issues. Modern technology may fix the problem - however, not in the desired sustainable ways.

In a socially conscious effort, five ACCESSORIES is working with local Cambodian artisans to provide a way for them to improve the quality of education for their children. This gives them a brighter future hope as we recycle the rice bags the farmers have used to carry the rice to market into eco friendly designer handbags http://www.fiveaccessories.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPlYTx8wb2I

Eco Friendly Material in Fashion

Wicker is a natural material made out of different wood. The most commonly used wood is rattan, cane and bamboo. Rattan is more of a solid vine, unlike bamboo which is hollow and cane is actually the stem of the larger rattan trees. Because these trees are not not in scarce demand, it makes them a good eco-friendly resource.

Being socially conscious, five ACCESSORIES uses a wicker source from the country of Bali. Local Balinese artisans handcraft a number of wicker handbags for us, enabling us to provide an excellent eco-friendly product. Featured below are our four wicker handbags: