Bag maker's scrap idea turns rags to riches

VIENTIANE, Laos - Tailors and dress-makers often throw numerous small pieces of fabric in the trash every day. Sometimes, these rags are destroyed by burning them, which creates carbon dioxide and other pollutants.

But these seemingly useless pieces of fabric are a key part of the business run by Khankeo Xaysanith, the owner of the Phai Exclusive brand. She first got the idea of using them while looking at the waste that was produced when she was making a blouse.

"I thought about whether I could do anything to add value to this waste. The small pieces of cloth still looked good. I also had a bag-making business run by my family and I thought I should combine the two somehow," said Khankeo.