by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
They are called “Onya” because you've got it on ya – on you in Australian slang.
Originally made from parachute material some Onya bags are now also made from rPET, recycled PET, that it to say, recycled plastic drinks bottles.
While the Onya bags are not new they are new to me in that, while I have know of them I have never had a chance to see them, until now, in the flesh, so to speak.
I am not sure as to whether this is just a percentage of recycled PET that is being used, as, I believe, it is not really possible to have them made from 100% recycled PET due to lack of strength in recycled compared to new polymer.
However, if the label is anything to go by then the claim is that it is made from recycled PET, period, as the indication is of “plastic bottle + recycling = bag”.
The bags can all be stuffed back into their own little stuff sacks quite easily and even though, initially, I have had some problems as to getting an “Onya Back” back into its stuff sack without getting the webbing straps all in the way, it worked out OK in the end. The trick is not to start stuffing from where the little sack is connected to the bag but the other end, so to speak.
All bags, including those of the rPET range, come in snazzy colors and all have a little pocket on the outside when open, with a number of different designs, especially here in the rPET range.
When it comes to good environmentally friendly ideas a fair number of them seem to have come from Down Under, that is to say Terra Australis.
Both of the first modern day reusable shopper rangers did come from there originally.
I say “modern day reusable shoppers” because, obviously, before the throw-away plastic carrier bag from stores there was the shopping bag made from different kinds of materials.
Reusable shopping bags are, obviously, nothing new but the ones that our mothers and grandmothers had were not the kind that you could carry with you unobtrusively for the “just in case” shopping trip. Then again, they did no “on the spur of the moment” shopping really. They went to the stores purposely and did so with their bag or bags.
Having known since the mid '80's that plastic bags are incredibly convenient, but terrible for the environment, the Onya founder was troubled every time he forgot to take a re-useable bag to the shops. You just don’t have a reusable bag every time you need one, do you? There must be a solution, Jon (Onya Bags Inventor) thought.
And then… a shiny, bright, light, strong and cool hammock provided the inspiration for the first Onya Bag. It was made from parachute material and scrunched down into it’s own little pouch. The Onya was born: a re-usable shopping bag that is light, bright and extremely handy, that pops into a tiny pouch in-between times! A bag for all those unplanned 'spur of the moment' trips. As convenient as a plastic bag but not bulky to carry around like the ones from the supermarket. And how to keep it onya? A carabineer clip for your keys or your handbag, or it can also go onto your belt!
Jon Brousson started selling bags at the Fremantle Markets in Australia five years ago and about four years ago his big brother, Dan, started selling them at Greenwich Market in London.
Onya Bags UK HQ is now based in Suffolk, where Dan lives with his family. The HQ is supplied by Good Energy which is 100% renewable electricity – created from wind, water and sunlight. Everyone at Onya Bags UK works from their own home offices, which means that there is no smoggy commuting for them, except by foot from one room to another. A nice way of working, I think.
The bags are certainly great and the other products, and we shall have a look at a few over the next couple of weeks, also are great, including the H2Onya stainless steel water bottles, the Onya Weigh, and the sandwich-wrap.
So, keep em onya...
© 2010
