Published by Vanessa Brunner under Clothing, Reuse/Recycle

At Green By Design, we’re big fans of people who recognize the environmental danger of our everyday, mundane habits, and then design a smart solution. I see a lot of green designs that are too complicated. While any effort towards saving and rejuvenating our planet is important, the idea of simplifying is at the crux of the Green movement, and often forgotten.

A simple and successful solution that we love? Jendarling Bags.

Jen Darling Ikat Garment Bag

Plastic garment bags are one of those wasteful things that we don’t usually think much about. We take our clothes to and from the dry cleaner, vacation, or wherever in those clear plastic bags mostly because it doesn’t seem like we have much choice otherwise.

But for designer Jen Bennett, there was a choice—it was just a matter of acting on it. If we could start using reusable grocery bags, why not garment bags? Bennett recognized that if she made something both reusable AND stylish, fashionistas everywhere would be more inclined to use them for their precious duds.

Jen started designing garment bags in early 2008. Later that year, her collection debuted at London Fashion Week at an Ethical Fashion event, where she received rave reviews. Now her line is used by celebrities and designers alike and has expanded to shoebags and pouches for her Fall 2009 collection as well.

Some items from Jendarling's expanded collection

And what do designers have to say about this revolution? We had a quick chat with Melissa Baswell, our friend and brilliant designer at Mountains of the Moon, to see how big of a role garment bags play in her eco approach to fashion.

1.What kind of situations do you use garment bags for?

Transportating our garments to photo shoots, fashion shows, trade shows and shopping events.

2. Do you use plastic or reusable garment bags? Why or why not?

We only use reusable garment bags, although some of the bags we have are partially plastic.  In the past it’s been difficult to find an alternative, and we’ve had the same garment bags for a long time.  But we’ve never used disposal bags, and have never thrown garment bags away.

Dresses from Mountains of the Moon's Fall line

3. How much waste do you think this aspect of the fashion industry generates?

I don’t know the statistics on this, but I can imagine that there is probably a relatively large number of labels who use disposable garment bags, and with all of the labels out there, I am sure it generates a great deal of waste.  Unfortunately, the fashion industry as a whole generates a lot of waste.

4. Why do you think this is an area that is so often overlooked?

I think this goes back to the fact that the fashion industry as a whole is known for being wasteful.  Thankfully, with environmental awareness at an all-time high in regards to fashion right now, even mainstream designers and labels are starting to take steps to become greener.  But these steps are often baby steps, and with baby steps, the more ”obvious” factors come first.  Many designers are incorporating at least some eco-friendly fabrics and practices into their lines, and perhaps garments bags are just a little further down the list.

Ultimately though, it’s crucial to encompass all aspects of eco-awareness when producing any line labeled as eco-friendly, and to always be mindful of generating waste.  Being eco-friendly includes more than just using sustainable materials.  Just like it is important to use recycled or reused boxes for shipping, it is important to reuse garment bags.

One of Jendarling's new Travel Pouches

5.How difficult is it to completely “green” your business? What do you consider your first priority?

I think today it’s easier than ever.  Even if a business just makes small changes, one step at a time, that is something.  It’s hard to say what my first priority is, since my company has been green from the start, but I think in terms of designing, first priority is making sure we use as environmentally conscious materials as possible and make them in a way that neither the earth nor its inhabitants are being harmed.