BANG Consortium

BANG consortium is an Australian company inspired by fair trade producers in Bangladesh to Build A New Generation of consumers by offering ethically produced and mainstream products.

BANG consortium is the brainchild of five enterprising Sydney mothers. All five founders are deeply committed to the principles of fair trade, environmental sustainability and the betterment of women and children in the developing world. BANG is a unique consumer brand featuring the handicraft skills of the people of Bangladesh. BANG aims to combine contemporary Australian designs with fair trade methods of production, creating a range of affordable, environmentally sustainable shopping bags in natural fabrics that would provide a more fashionable and truly eco-friendly alternative to the reusable supermarket ‘green bag’.

BANG has re-imagined the culture of the ‘green bag’ taking the alternative to plastic bags and making it truly sustainable and socially and environmentally responsible. ‘Green bags’ are made from polypropylene and do not break down in landfill and require mechanical recycling. Bang offers biodegradable shopping bag alternatives which can be recycled by using them in or around the garden, disposed in compost bins, as a layer of mulch matting on your garden, or as a ‘geotextile’ to contain tree and shrub roots and soil during planting, as the entire bag can be planted into the soil with the tree.

BANG designs are manufactured by the Bangladeshi development organisation, BRAC-Aarong. Established in 1972, BRAC is the largest Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in the world, employing 90,000 people. It supports and protects the livelihoods of over 70% (100 million) of Bangladesh’s population through its social, health, employment and education programs. Only 20% of BRAC’s funds come from donations via development partners (through organisations such as AusAid), while the remaining 80% is self-funded through commercial projects set up by BRAC. In 1976, BRAC started a program to train impoverished women in handicraft skills, from which “Aarong” was born. Aarong is a commercial retail venture that focuses on providing sustainable employment for up to 35,000 rural Bangaldeshi artisans, 85% of whom are women. It was established in 1978 to ensure spot payment for handicraft goods made and to market the traditional skills and handicrafts of the Bangladeshi people. Literally translated Aarong means ‘village fair’. The bag designs are made at rural production centres throughout Bangladesh.

BANG consortium, passionately promote fair trade values, and direct 10% of our profits back to the artisans’ communities and charitable projects. In addition, each artisan earns a living wage for the work they produce, enabling them to aim for a stable financial future by lifting their families above subsistence levels. Finally, the price paid to the BANG producer contains a profit component that ensures their communities will enjoy the support of BRAC-Aarong, through the far-reaching community programs they run. BANG consortium is a member of the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand (FTAANZ). Eco diseno are proud to support BANG and respect the skills and craftsmanship of the artisans who make the products.

Product Descriptions

real green bags
winner of the Keep Australia Beautiful award for plastic bag reduction
BANG 100% recyclable jute supermarket shoppers are biodegradable alternatives to the green polypropylene bag. They are ethically sourced as well as being naturally recyclable, and are the logical ‘next step’ for socially-concerned shoppers. Real green bags are available in natural or black.
classic tote
This stylish, top of the range tote bag made from biodegradable jute has a handy pocket on the front and is available in natural or black.

suzie string backpacks
Hand-woven jute backpacks sit comfortably in the small of your back, an ergonomic way to carry your shopping or sports gear. Big Suzie is a perfect duffle size bag for the beach, while Little Suzie is surprisingly roomy due to its circular design.

lizzie string bag
Each lizzie shoulder bag is individually hand-woven from natural jute using traditional Bangladeshi handicraft techniques. Lizzie is a stylish tote which is perfect for the shops, beach or park.

bessie tote bag
Bessie is a super strong tote bag made from natural jute and lined with natural cotton. It is detailed with gorgeous cream cotton cross-stitching around the edges. A practical neutral toned tote which is perfect for work or play.

marge woven baskets
Woven from date palm leaf marge baskets are available in small or large. Marge baskets are perfect for a day at the beach or shopping at the markets.

date palm baskets
Woven from date palm leaf these baskets are a practical and contemporary storage solution. Date palm baskets are available in a nest of 3 different sizes.