It's almost 15 years since I moved to Sweden. Living in an environment with different cultures and values, I've experienced various emotions, from moments of despair to great joy.
Then, a few years ago, a significant change occurred within me: a strong desire to shift to a sustainable lifestyle that doesn't burden the environment.
Feeling the increasing severity of abnormal weather and the climate crisis firsthand, I began to ask myself, "Is it really okay to continue a life based on mass production and mass consumption?"
The more I researched, the more uneasy I felt, and there were moments when I became gloomy, thinking, "This situation might be truly dire."
In Sweden, environmental awareness is central to society, seen in the activism of Greta Thunberg and climate action discussions during elections. Living in such an environment, I myself became keen to learn more about a "sustainable and ethical lifestyle."
The journey to find sustainable choices began
Reviewing my animal-product-centric diet and learning about the environmental impact of plant-based meals, my interest expanded further.
I started trying zero-waste at refill shops and actively choosing second-hand items. Even if not perfect, I began to feel the comfort of "continuously making choices with a low environmental impact."
It was around this time that I started "COCO's Nordic Sustainable Life" on YouTube and Instagram, wanting to share what I had learned.
However, as I continued, I realized something:
"If it's not enjoyable, it won't last."
Acting for the Earth is wonderful, but it's not sustainable if it's all about enduring hardships.
I realized that sustainability truly works only when it includes "the happiness of oneself as a consumer."
Encountering Nordic eco-bags upcycled from hotel linen
It was then that I learned about a Swedish company upcycling hotel linen destined for disposal into tote bags, and my heart raced.
Hotel sheets and towels are often discarded for minor holes or indelible stains, yet many usable parts remain.
Especially sheets, being large pieces of fabric, are easy to process, and their texture is excellent as they are designed to come into contact with the skin. Furthermore, hotel linen is designed to withstand frequent washing, making it a durable material that can be used for a long time.
"What if I could use this material to create Nordic-designed tote bags for Japan?"
"Perhaps I could give form to my experiences and aspirations."
By the time I started thinking this way, I had already decided on the brand name.
That is Circuliv.
The birth of Circuliv and the thought behind its design
Circuliv is a coined word combining Circular + liv (Swedish for "life").
It was created with the desire to "bring circular living into everyday life."
The first design features "Återbruk" which means "reuse" in Swedish.
My hope is that this bag will serve as an opportunity for those who pick it up to talk about a "circular lifestyle" with family and friends.
The reason why it is delivered "as is" in white
The reason why Circuliv tote bags are white is simple:
to reduce polluted water and CO₂ emissions from dyeing.
When creating new fabric from scratch, it is said that about 64% of the environmental load occurs during the "fiber manufacturing, weaving, yarn, and dyeing" processes.
By utilizing used hotel linen that is already scheduled for disposal, this process can be completely skipped, significantly reducing the environmental load.
Furthermore, to minimize the environmental impact of delivery as much as possible, the packaging uses FSC-certified materials.
We aim for sustainability "from creation to the moment of delivery."
"Enjoyable and sustainable" together with you
Circuliv wants to propose "sustainable living that can be continued effortlessly and with excitement."
My actions might be a small step.
But many small steps accumulate into a mountain.
Like the hummingbird carrying a drop of water to a fire, even small actions always have meaning.
And I would be happy if I could carry that one drop with all of you.
May Circuliv's bag be "a comfortable first step towards sustainability" in your life.
Bringing the comfort of "circular choices" to your daily life.
Please experience the Nordic tote bag made from hotel linen.
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