Things: ECOSHOP + Scrapshop

Images grabbed from ECOSHOP

Am finally back from my holidays and I must say I had a lot of fun exploring the city of Bangkok. I didn't take a lot of pictures that were overly pretty so I'll spare out the details. But it was basically a lot of shopping (and probably a lack of motivation to take down some wonderful landscapes). All I could say is I don't get sick of being there because everything is awesome, from the food, to accommodation and even the people. Despite being there umpteen times, it was my first in Khao San and back in Chatuchak after a long while. Everything was great, except for the heat. Apart from the random information, I wanted to share about this interesting discovery that I came across during my trip, called ECOSHOP.

ECOSHOP was set up by local (Thai) television host, Top Pipat (who might have just scored a few more brownie points for a store like this because of his dashing looks hahah) in 2008. The store concept revolves around saving the Earth through sustainability and understanding how much further we can maximize resources. Other than merely just selling environmental-friendly products, Pipat's main aim is ultimately to help aspiring designers who have ideas that they want to develop by providing them a platform to showcase their work.

Ultimately, Pipat explains that the aim of the store is not just to make profit but to give people something to think about and consider saving the Earth more seriously than what we already know of it as. What can a plastic bag do for you then? What could paper achieve for us? 

Top Pipat (from the site on left, and a picture with his store on right; all images from site)

The idea to set up an environmental friendly store definitely isn't a new one, but this was pretty fresh to the people in Thailand. Plus, people were really warming up to the store quickly because of Pipat's consistent efforts in spreading the message he has always wanted to deliver. ECOSHOP was gaining ground and some interest and even managed to stock environmental-friendly and sustainable products designed by students from Thai universities as well.

Images grabbed from ECOSHOP

So as mentioned, I was browsing through the store (the one in Digital Gateway, Siam square area), and had a few of the products catch my eye (loving the tote on the left). Of which, was the ones by Scrapshop, designed and produced by the students of Kasetsart University Architecture. This was an eco-venture launched in 2010 and to help promote awareness on the environment through products made from reusable waste materials. The key idea is not only to motivate young designers to create just products, but for them to research on how discarded materials can be used effectively for functional, yet help create aesthetically pleasing designs.

It's interesting to see something grow so much and help make wonderful things happen. I admire Pipat's efforts, though not on an international level yet, he really tries to change mindsets instead of commercializing something and making it a fad. In order to prove his sincerity towards the cause, Pipat has been living a greener lifestyle as possible, giving talks, telling the story of how simple things we use can always be recycled for a greater cause.

Pipat keeps his belief in keeping prices low so this lifestyle may be accessible to many more and arouse people's curiosity. He also explains the key differences in reusing and recycling and how we can go about it. I think it's good to understand these terms so we don't abuse them too much.

Find out more via his site by clicking here.

And, we can start with a good reusable, yes? I've got my trusty Baggu reusables to start with!

Baggu it! Via Mindful Momma

Anyway, more on Baggu in the near future. I'm sure you guys would probably already have known about these tough and long-lasting reusables.

Hope you're having a wonderful week! There's more to come and I'm working hard to get it all up! Holla over if you've got something (;