Furoshiki

I was reading on old copy of the World Vision Supporters Magazine (my daughter sponsors a child) and discovered Furoshiki. It is a Japanese tradition described in the article as similar to origami in that it uses "eco-friendly wrapping cloth." They suggest using it to wrap gifts and the fabric used is a gift in itself. They suggest a site furoshiki.com. I find the designs and colours of traditional fabrics and the manner in which it can be tied very aesthetically appealing.

However, if this description put out by the Japanese government of how to wrap furoshiki is any guide then it has developed out of practical considerations:
http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/attach/060403-5.html

In terms of environmental credentials the 'savvy wrap' uses sustainable organic and biodegradable materials. This is on the furoshiki.com site. 'Chewing the cud' brand of San Francisco use 100% organic cotton with soy inks. They use some very funky designs. I have not found Australian sites as yet but really you don't need specially made furoshiki fabric or to buy cloth new, you could use old material such as a sheet some parts of which have worn through, for example.

There are also links on the aforementioned site to books you can buy or borrow.

Here is a you tube demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn6zdyCAwJs

So you can use it for carrying things instead of using plastic bags as well as for wrapping gifts and depending on what fabric it gets the 'Spice' tick for being environmentally friendly.