Wearable Green

Proponents of hemp have long touted the usefulness of the plant in numerous areas including clothes. The Cave of the Winds attraction in Niagara Falls requires visitors to wear sandals (provided by the attraction) and anyone who does not wish to keep their new shoes can donate them to be sent to people in poorer regions.

Now a new company Bagir Ltd. has taken the eco-friendly clothing idea a step further by using recycled elements - namely plastic - in their new line.

The new "green" black suit created by Bagir is made entirely of recycled plastic drink bottles. A mere 13 two-liter cola bottles will produce one man's suit which retails for $250 (currently selling for less at Sears stores).

The recycled werables were unveiled during fashion week in New York City.

The "green" fabric is converted from plastic bottles that have been ground into flakes which are made into pellets that are then melted into a fiber that is spun and woven into a fabric.

To date some one million bottles have been recycled into fabric for suits. It is estimated that citizens in New York state throw away nearly eight million such bottles each day.