Cosme Kitchen, a specialty store for natural and organic cosmetics run by Mash Beauty Lab Inc., has redesigned its shopping bags and gift boxes using sustainable materials such as banana stems and cacao bean husks that would otherwise be discarded.

Cosme Kitchen's new line of shopping bags and gift boxes feature a "genderless" design in refreshing shades of blue.

They're made with natural materials which will minimize the environmental impact when they're disposed of. Even the ink used for coloring is plant-derived.

A new envelope size package is also available, perfect for small gifts!

These shopping bags and gift boxes can be used as a convenient way to express your gratitude to your loved ones in a variety of situations.

Paper Shopping Bags

Made of FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified paper, including the handles, these shopping bags are completely sustainable with no polyester whatsoever.

S size: 220 mm (8.7") × 110 mm (4.3") × 150 mm (5.9")

M size: 220 mm (8.7") × 120 mm (4.7") × 270 mm (10.6")

L size: 315 mm (12.4") × 150 mm (5.9") × 310 mm (12.2")

The bags cost 22 JPY each (tax included) and will be available at Cosme Kitchen shops beginning in May 2021.

Gift Boxes

The finishing ribbons on these gift boxes are made of cotton, and the paper in the sealing stickers is made with a mixture of fibers recycled from discarded banana stems.

Four sizes are available to suit any occasion.

SS size: 232 mm (9.1") x 80 mm (3.1") x 110 mm (4.3")

S size: 112 mm (4.4") x 40 mm (1.6") x 80 mm (3.1")

M size: 245 mm (9.6") × 101.5 mm (4.0") × 190 mm (7.5")

L size: 261 mm (10.3") × 101.5 mm (4.0") × 271 mm (10.7")

The bottom of the medium and large size boxes are lined with paper made from the husks of cacao beans, which would otherwise be discarded in the chocolate-making process.

In addition, the cushioning material is made of wood wool (excelsior) from Kochi Prefecture, which has been popular for centuries in Japan, and is 100% biodegradable. This material has deodorizing and humidity regulating effects, so you can enjoy leaving it in your room after use, rather than immediately throwing it away.

The envelope type boxes cost 165 JPY for SS size and 198 JPY for S size, while the standard box types cost 308 JPY for M size and 330 JPY for L size (tax included). They will be available from May 2021.

Contributing to the environment

Mash Beauty Lab Inc. supports the "Forest Environment Fund" established by The Pack Corporation which produced these shopping bags and gift boxes for them.

Through their collaboration with The Pack Corporation, a portion of the price of these new bags and boxes will be used for forest conservation and tree-planting activities, as well as the Environmental Fund for the Future (EFF).

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For more information on Cosme Kitchen, see their website here.