How to Start Selling Eco-Friendly Purses

Nik Minor
As more consumers look to minimize their waste and reduce their footprint, green or eco-friendly products have gained in popularity. If you enjoy sewing or creating homemade goods and want to find a way to turn your hobby into a business, consider designing and selling eco-friendly purses.

Develop a Philosophy

Being green isn't about what you buy; it's about how you live. Minimizing waste is one of the best ways that people can give back to Mother Earth. As an eco-friendly entrepreneur, you'll need to develop and implement a philosophy on how you intend to operate a green business. Whenever possible, start selling eco-friendly bags by taking steps to ensure that your business is reducing waste.

Starting Your Eco-Friendly Purse Business

In addition to registering your business and obtaining a sales tax permit, you will need to purchase a website where you can sell your purses. To further promote your green philosophy, select a green web host. Look for a company that subscribes to the same ideals as you. Verify that your web host company minimizes waste when possible and implements alternative energy methods. Click HERE for a list of eco-friendly web hosts. Be sure to include your detailed philosophy on your website, as well as information about how each purse was created, to reassure customers on your commitment to being green.

Finding the Right Materials for Your Purses

The great thing about a business centered on reusing products is that you can use just about anything to create your eco-friendly purses. You can sell bags made from aluminum tabs, rice paper, billboard posters, rubber tires, vinyl movie posters and just about any type of fabric. When selecting less traditional materials, ensure that you have the tools and equipment needed to convert them into handbags. Also look to use as few materials as possible. Find helpful online tutorials that use the specific products you are considering. To further cut costs, start your business by selling eco-friendly bags made from products found around your house or donated from friends and family. Craigslist.org is another great resource for finding free materials. Perusing wasteful neighborhoods on Big Trash Day is another way to procure free materials.

Selling Your Eco-Friendly Purses

When selling your bags you should encourage customers to get the most out of their bags by using them as long as possible, to reduce the need for more consumption. Additionally, set prices based on what you need to make in order to maintain your business. Be sure to include all expenses to ensure that you are, in fact, making a profit.

Published by Nik Minor

Nik is a freelance writer, editor, law student, and small business owner.  View profile

9 Comments

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  • greensentiments11/15/2010

    Green Sentiments is a supplier of reusable, eco-friendly jute bags.
    Choosing a reusable jute bag is one way to take responsibility for minimizing waste and for using resources in a sustainable way thereby avoiding large landfills which affect the environment and wildlife. Plastic bags are becoming a global problem. There’re adding to landfill and affecting the world’s wildlife. That’s why more and more customers are choosing eco-friendly alternatives. http://www.greensentiments.com

  • greensentiments11/15/2010

    jute bags wholesale, jute shopping bags, jute handbags, jute beach bags, jute gift bags, promotional tote bags, wholesale reusable tote bags, eco friendly tote bags, eco friendly reusable shopping bags, promo tote bags, promotional bags, promo gift bags, eco friendly handbags, eco totes, eco friendly purses.

  • C. Penlington1/9/2010

    Thank you for sharing this idea - I am looking for additional work, and I would luv to make purses! I voted for your article, plz check out my latest article & vote for it if you think it's helpful:
    http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2548743/save_money_with_the_best_satellite.html?cat=40
    I would really appreciate it! C.

  • Shanika Minor1/8/2010

    Good points, Lorraine. I just meant to encourage them to get the most out of their bag before updating.

  • Lorraine Yapps Cohen1/8/2010

    Consumption is what makes your business possible. (And others too.) Advising people to buy less after they buy from you is a little odd, don't you think?

  • Shanika Minor1/7/2010

    Ha ha. Well I DO believe in minimizing waste and reusing gear. Although, my definition of "green" isn't nearly as titillating as Gore's.

  • J.C. Grant1/7/2010

    I'll assume that this is just an opportunistic business idea because I know it's not a political statement. :)

  • Nancy V Canfield1/7/2010

    Ditto Tony! You cover everything!

  • Tony Jingo1/7/2010

    ...by putting the green inside of them? ;-) Love that entrepreneurial spirit of yours!

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