TOTE BAG — To reduce the use of plastic bags, a group of UNY students initiated the creation of an environmentally friendly totebag equipped with a warmer on the shoulder strap to reduce aches and pains for the user.
Novita Dewi Sulistyowati — Fashion Design Engineering Education Student – explained that totebags are one of the environmentally friendly solutions because they can be used repeatedly compared to plastic bags and are considered simpler and more fashionable than using backpacks.
However, totebags are often used to carry heavy loads. Using a totebag with a load that is too heavy can cause side effects for the user, such as aches and pains in the shoulders.
“Paadbag is an innovation of totebags equipped with a warming gel on the shoulder strap of the totebag. The warming gel is useful for relieving aches and pains in the shoulders of the user,” he said, Thursday (18/7/2024).
She explained that Paadbag is designed to be able to be changed into two sizes. Small size 40 cm x 30 cm and large size 60 cm x 40 cm. With two sizes in one totebag, users can change the size of the bag into two sizes, making Paadbag more useful.
Meanwhile, Azizah Salmaa Zuhairoh, a Chemistry Education student, added that they use sodium acetate trihydrate as the basic material for making environmentally friendly, affordable, and recyclable handwarmer bags.
“This bag can produce heat at around 53 ° -56 ° C for 30-85 minutes. This material is widely available because it is widely sold in marketplaces and chemical stores at affordable prices,” said Azizah.
On the other hand, the bag can be applied as a warm compress because of the heat it produces, where warm compresses can be used as a non-pharmacological therapy to reduce pain.
Making a totebag begins with making a pattern according to the Paadbag design then cutting it. Sew the front of the totebag then attach stud buttons to each pocket and sew a label on the pocket.
Then, attach the box ring to the front then attach the D ring to the side of the totebag. Sew the zipper part that will be used as a bag size adjuster then sew around the totebag by combining all components. After that, attach the stud button to the main part of the totebag then sew the heating gel container, attach the zipper and stud button.
Finally, sew the totebag strap and attach the hook to the end of the strap and the Paadbag is ready to use.
