These days, pretty much everything with the "green" label - from cars to food and clothing - seems to get a lot more attention than it would have been the case, say, ten years ago. We're all becoming increasingly aware that recycling and sustainability are key concepts that refer to more than just beer bottles and plastic containers. As far as fashion is concerned, more and more initially reluctant designers are jumping on the eco-friendly bandwagon, because there's a lot of public interest in bags that are not a complete waste of material when it comes to the decreasing resources of the planet.

But apparently, if "green" bags are what you seek, Europe is the place to be - Amsterdam, to be more precise. Among its many other attractions, the colorful and culture-friendly capital of Holland has a Museum of Bags and Purses, which is currently hosting a Green Bags exhibition. The museum hosts bags from all the past fashion eras, modern or merely old and pretentious - but the director and at the same time curator of the museum admits that she's been completely taken by surprise by the popularity of "green" bags.

"I find it really interesting that these 'green bags' we have here in the museum are not just cheap fashion that comes and goes, but good design that stays", says Sigrid Ivo, who has worked in the museum for 12 years and admits that she owns about 60 bags herself. "The image of recycling has changed a lot from what it used to be some 20 years ago. Designers are working together with companies to develop sustainable products", she explains.

"I have a feeling we are at the beginning of it. There are more possibilities ahead. The quality gets better and better and today recycled products are hip and fashionable", Sigrid predicts. Let's hope she's right - and in the meantime, if you think you might like a bag made from bicycle inner tubes and happen to be in Europe anytime soon, drop by the Bag Museum in Amsterdam and your wish might just come true.