In the Bag

Time and time again, I see that all it really takes to make a difference in people’s lives is a great idea and passion. Erajadere “Erada” Oleita started the Chip Bag Project during the winter of 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. The idea behind the project is straightforward, yet so impactful in a multitude of ways. Utilizing drop-off locations, Erada and her team collect donations of “plastic linen” — be it chip bags, pet food bags, candy bags, etc. After collecting the plastic, they create durable sleeping bags and clothing for the homeless and marginalized. 

So far Erada’s organization has recycled 1.5 million chip bags and turned them into 100 sleeping bags.

To me, the most mind-boggling part of Erada’s work is the scale at which the Chip Bag Project collects plastic bags. The Chip Bag Project is a small organization, so to collect so many bags is incredibly impressive; I couldn’t believe that over a million donations had been made.

Already displaying deep care

for both her community and the natural environment around her through the Chip Bag Project, Erada also created a podcast called “Waddup Doe Detroit,” hosted by Erada herself and Uncle Tae — an artist and environmental justice advocate from Detroit. “Focused on the education and support of Detroiters around environmental justice issues,” the podcast is meant to be educational: “One of our co-hosts will be clueless on what is happening in the episode,” says Erada, but “at the end of each episode you should be able to answer all high-level topics.” Be it repurposing plastic or starting a podcast, there’s always a way to show up for our environment.

The influence of this project illustrates what could arise from an increase in sustainability measures like this one, and it’s a powerful image. Mostly donation-based, Erada’s Chip Bag Project combines a desire to heal our planet with a desire to help our friends in need, effectively addressing two pressing issues through one project.