Plastic wrappers that once contained cleaning products have now become practical laundry baskets thanks to the efforts of XS Association. The basket is crafted by hand and features practical handles.
Made in Indonesia
Recycled plastic wrappers with polyester trim
Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
"The people who work with XS Association washing trash and handcrafting products don't want a hand-out, they want opportunities."
The concept behind XS Association was conceived in the mid-1990s in the Philippines by Ann Wizer, an artist and... activist, who recycled plastic into costumes, set designs, sculptures and art installations as a direct expression against environmental abuse. In 2000 Ann moved with her family to Jakarta, where she lived next to a kampung (community) of people who picked trash. Immediately drawn by their extreme poverty and common "language" of trash, Ann grabbed a translator and went into the kampung to find out how she could work with them. This resulted in a shift of Ann's work from a private studio practice into a social art practice. Although its efforts have expanded in the years since, XS still works with the original group of trash pickers.
"XS Association transforms waste into beautifully designed products," says Ann of the project's mission. "Through art and design we create new uses for waste, combat poverty and, reduce the amount of garbage that is burned or buried in landfills. In the process, we create jobs and strive to stimulate the local economy.
"XS Association directly donates a portion of all its revenues to a scholarship fund that supports some of Indonesia's most disadvantaged population - the children of trash pickers. By providing them with a chance for an education, XS helps gives these children an opportunity for a better life – away from the trash heaps. In addition, XS purchases the plastic pouches that are used in our signature plastic line directly from trash pickers. Since one of our objectives is to help them, we pay a premium for the trash we buy. XS pays $0.78 per kilo, which is close to 80% more than the collectors receive for most forms of trash and 30% over the price they receive for their most lucrative line – clean plastic water bottles.
"The people who work with XS Association washing trash and handcrafting products don't want a hand-out, they want opportunities. We provide that to them by working to build a market for our products within Indonesia and around the world. Orders equate to opportunities for the individuals that work with XSProject.
"As a foreigner, I gained the trust of the local team by being willing to show up, to consistently help them, and to do it all for no income or revenue. The General Manager is an Indonesian woman who has been associated with XSProject from its earliest days. She has incredible integrity and has won the trust of the local team through her commitment, honesty, and true concern for the well being of everyone involved with XSProject.
"We are wholeheartedly involved in this project, and we have received recognition at SoCap events in 2009 and 2010.
"We strive to do all we can to look after the people we work with, though sometimes we are confronted with the fact that we can't do it all. For example, one of our original members, Pak Salim was diagnosed with a hernia. This type of surgery is one of the most common and safest operations performed in the United States. It is a relatively inexpensive and safe operation in many developed countries. Unfortunately medical care is very expensive for a poor person in a developing country like Indonesia. Pak Salim could not afford it, even though it was recommended. So his hernia went untreated. When XS Association learned that Pak Salim was ill, the Jakarta team offered to cover the cost of his surgery. However, we got involved too late. Before there was time to find out more details about the required operation, Pak Salim passed away. In Jakarta, the operation would have cost a few hundred dollars.
"XS Association has a General Manager, who has been involved with the organization for over six years. She oversees all the day-to-day operations of the company. Every six months, we get together as a team to determine which products we will continue, which we will discontinue, and what new products we will make. Our designers then set to work on developing new concepts. When the prototypes are finalized, they move into a production process that includes washers, outsourced sewers, and other staff. Once crafted, the products pass through a quality assurance process before they are packaged and shipped.
"We currently use three types of primary waste materials: (1) plastic packaging, (2) billboards, and (3) car seat covers. The quantity, colors, and consistency of the materials differs from product line to product line. Sometimes certain colors that had been easy to obtain become difficult. We are working with trash, so we have to take what we can find - at one level. However, we are always conscious of how the trash sources are changing, so that we can alter our products and product lines accordingly."
Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.
We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.
This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
In the unlikely even that we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will contact you and provide an updated delivery window.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
BUST
35 - 36
37 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
WAIST
27 - 28
29 - 30
31 - 33
34 - 36
38 - 40
HIPS
37 - 38
39 - 40
42 - 43
45 - 46
49 - 50
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
CHEST
36 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
50 - 52
WAIST
30 - 32
32 - 34
35 - 37
38 - 41
43 - 45
NECK
14 - 14.5
15 - 15.5
16 - 16.5
17 - 17.5
18 - 18.5
SLEEVE
32.5
33.5
34.5
35.5
36.5
FINDING YOUR SIZE
Take your measurements with the tape measure over your under garments. If your measurements fall between sizes you may prefer the next larger size. Inseam, skirt and dress lengths vary by style and will be listed in the item description. Our sweaters are knit in standard American sizes, however actual measurements vary by style.
BUST / CHEST
Measure around the fullest part of chest under the arms and over the shoulder blades keeping the tape measure level.
WAIST
Measure around the smallest part of the waist keeping the tape measure comfortably loose. Most garments use the low waist measurement noted below.
LOW WAIST
Measure around the body approximately 1.5" below the natural waist (above). This is the area where most pants and skirts actually fit.
HIPS
Standing with your heels together, measure around the fullest part of the body approx 7"-8" below the waist.
NECK
Measure around the base of the neck keeping the tape measure comfortably loose.
SLEEVE
Bend elbow slightly and starting at the center back of the neck, measure across the shoulder, to the elbow and down to the wrist.
INSEAM
Our standard inseam length for women is 32" and 34" for men; however inseam measurements will vary slightly by style.
Belts with buckles are measured in inches that correspond to a waist size however, most people do not wear belts on the waist, they wear them closer to the hips. A buckle belt measurement is take from the end of the "pin" of the buckle to the middle hole on the belt. Generally there are 5 holes for size adjustment, with a 1" space between each, so the middle hole will the be average size of the belt.
For at tie belt (no buckle) measure the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This again is the medium size of the belt.
For a soft fabric tie belt it can be called "1 size fits most" and the entire length of the belt should be measured and listed.
See buckle/tie belt size standards below.
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
inches
26 - 30
28 - 32
31 - 35
34 - 38
38 - 42
cm
76 - 86
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
inches
30 - 34
32 - 36
35 - 39
39 - 43
43 - 47
cm
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
109 - 119
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
Sash tie length
Lay sash/tie out flat away from the garment and measure from end to end.
Belt with buckle
Measure from the end of the pin of the buckle (where it touches the buckle) to the middle hole.
Belt without buckle
Measure from the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This is will give you the medium size of the belt.
Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!
We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
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WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. UNICEF USA partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from UNICEF Market to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
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UNICEF Market artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. UNICEF Market offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.
