Distinctly Green: PAUS Bags Gelp Environment
In several Ways
By Debra Atlas
While attending an environmental conference
in Costa Rica a couple of weeks ago, I was
given a colorful reusable tote bag as a
"take away." I don't normally hang on to
those kinds of things, but this one was
different.
Made by a Costa Rican company called PAUS,
these tote bags have a lot more going for
them than just fashion.
The tote bag was colorful, top quality, and
had handles that were hand-stitched for
extra hold.
Founded in late 2008, the company's name is
also its philosophy. PAUS means to reflect
on your actions and realize how they affect
the environment. PAUS was founded around the
idea of raising environmental awareness, a
practice that's steadily spreading
throughout Costa Rica via television, radio
and print advertising.
PAUS wraps social components around its
business practices.
"People like to talk and hear about the
environment, but when it touches their
pocket, some think twice about it," said
Henning Koeller, PAUS's project manager.
PAUS products, while not cheap, help
generate work for disadvantaged women and
support environmental initiatives.
One is a critical reforestation program.
With every purchase of a PAUS product, a
tree is planted in the Cerros de Escazu (the
Escazu Mountains), a protected area off the
Central Valley, south of San Jose, Costa
Rica. A critical environmental project,
PAUS's reforestation program partners with
the United Nations Program for Development.
A percentage of the profits goes to various
environmental and youth programs.
PAUS practices product responsibility, a
growing trend in the U.S. When your bag is
well used, send it back and the company will
dispose of it for you. Buy another PAUS
product and the company will give you a
discount up to 20 percent against the value
of the used bag.
PAUS offers a variety of bag styles, colors
and sizes. Besides my tote bag, PAUS offers
CD holders, messenger-type bags, surbfoard
bags (Costa Rica's famous for its
world-class surfing, after all), key
holders, an executive desk calendar, a
presentation portfolio, even a backpack. All
are made from recycled vinyl and canvas that
would otherwise be tossed into landfills.
The materials still have resistance and
versatility, said Koeller, "so it (doesn't)
make sense to throw it away."
I've given my PAUS bag quite a workout the
past few weeks. From beach time to airline
carry-on (filled to the max), I'm amazed how
well it holds up. It's held cold food (not
great but it works), paperback books and
been used as a foot rest.
Prices for these colorful bags vary - $38
for the backpack, $119 for the tote bag, $32
for a CD holder that holds 24 disks. PAUS
wraps social components around its business
practices.
"People like to talk and hear about the
environment, but when it touches their
pocket, some think twice about it," said
Henning Koeller, PAUS's project manager.
PAUS products, while not cheap, help
generate work for disadvantaged women and
support environmental initiatives.
One is a critical reforestation program.
With every purchase of a PAUS product, a
tree is planted in the Cerros de Escazu (the
Escazu Mountains), a protected area off the
Central Valley, south of San Jose, Costa
Rica. A critical environmental project,
PAUS's reforestation program partners with
the United Nations Program for Development.
A percentage of the profits goes to various
environmental and youth programs.
PAUS practices product responsibility, a
growing trend in the U.S. When your bag is
well used, send it back and the company will
dispose of it for you. Buy another PAUS
product and the company will give you a
discount up to 20 percent against the value
of the used bag.
PAUS offers a variety of bag styles, colors
and sizes. Besides my tote bag, PAUS offers
CD holders, messenger-type bags, surbfoard
bags (Costa Rica's famous for its
world-class surfing, after all), key
holders, an executive desk calendar, a
presentation portfolio, even a backpack. All
are made from recycled vinyl and canvas that
would otherwise be tossed into landfills.
The materials still have resistance and
versatility, said Koeller, "so it (doesn't)
make sense to throw it away."
I've given my PAUS bag quite a workout the
past few weeks. From beach time to airline
carry-on (filled to the max), I'm amazed how
well it holds up. It's held cold food (not
great but it works), paperback books and
been used as a foot rest.
Prices for these colorful bags vary - $38
for the backpack, $119 for the tote bag, $32
for a CD holder that holds 24 disks. Special
orders and corporate gifts are available on
request. PAUS bags are available at
www.paus.cr.
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The PAUS tote bag is made from reused vinyl and canvas. Sales proceeds benefit environmental and youth causes in Costa Rica. |
