SWIFT Bags are hand–made from recycled materials in fair trade, environmental projects in the Philippines. By purchasing a SWIFT bag you are not only directly helping the environment, but also supporting the livelihood of men and women who otherwise would be living in extreme poverty.

What are SWIFT bags made of?

The bags are made of two different recycled materials – recycled juice packs & recycled billboard tarpaulins, or 'tarps'.

• Juice packs are hugely popular in the Philippines, where they're known as 'doy packs'. Made of an extremely strong fusion of plastic and foil – a material that is non–biodegradable. As waste they're often heaped into landfills or burnt in incinerators giving off toxic fumes and greenhouse gases. The packs are now collected, sanitised and sewn together to make fun and colourful bags in many styles.
• Billboards are also very popular in the Philippines; Manila is awash in a sea of advertising billboards made from canvas tarps coated with polycarbonate – a kind of vinyl. After use they too are discarded into landfills or burnt. The used tarps are now collected, cleaned and the tough material made into colourful shopping totes, beach bags and messenger bags.

See a video report on the recycling of billboard tarps as seen on CNN by clicking here. (opens in a new window).

All SWIFT bags have double–stitched seams and are extremely strong and hardwearing. New materials are used only for zips, handles and lining. The larger bags, for example, are great to keep in the boot of your car for carrying home a load of shopping and will last many years of constant use.

What does 'fair trade' actually mean?

Fair trade ensures that workers receive a fair wage for what they produce. It also involves continual monitoring of workers' rights and conditions to ensure that workers have safe and hygienic working conditions and reasonable working hours.

By buying a SWIFT bag not only do you get a fun and practical bag, but also directly improve people's lives by enabling them to learn new skills and earn a fair wage.

The creation and sale of SWIFT bags:

• Reduces solid waste in landfills
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
• Provides education in waste management and recycling
• Provides training and employment for the underprivileged

You might pay a little more for a SWIFT bag, but you are getting a uniquely handmade piece that directly and actively improves the environment and not the mass-produced product of some anonymous factory sweatshop.

Our bags are great for fund-raising drives for schools and other organizations. You can also have your logo and/or organization name printed onto them for promotional activities.

The SWIFT Bags Vision:

We source our bags only from livelihood projects that operate under fair trade principals using recycled materials. We are committed to creating a cleaner and healthier environment whilst at the same time taking an active part in community development. We believe that sustainable and ethical business is possible – and in fact essential – for a thriving future.

To Order:

Please call:

Swift Bags (Australia): +61 (0)411 038 919

Swift Bags (Philippines): +63 919 346 6046

Or email us for using our contact form.

Download our catalogue here.