Forgot to post this last week. It comes from Rod Hagwood's The Fabulous Report which appears in the Sun-Sentinel's Sunday Lifestyle section, and profiles an inventive local company RetroActif, which makes cool bags and the like out of recycled products.

Is your love of accessorizing destroying the planet?

A bit dramatic yes, but the "green" crusade of recycling and minimal carbon imprints isn’t exactly known for restraint.

And neither is Monica and Ziad Shuman of Pembroke Pines. The couple scours South Florida looking for PVC banners - often used to promote special events, festivals and concerts - that they can recycle into handbags and other accessories in a line called RetroActif.

"We get them from everywhere," said Ziad. "Often the manufacturer lets us know. The people at 3A Banners have been very kind."

The husband and wife got the idea about a year and a half ago, when Monica was looking for something to do while caring for their son, who is now three.

"Now we’re in 40 stores from Hawaii to Belgium," said Ziad. "It’s been amazing. In San Francisco a friend helped us with the market and so now northern California is great for us. We also have a friend in Barcelona doing it there. It’s becoming popular in the U.S. more and more. With a little help from our friends, we’ve been getting a snowball effect. Canada is a market for us because of a friend in Montreal helping us. The same for Europe."

To find store locations or to order online, go to retroactif.net. The line of handbags, totes, hobos, messenger bags, hats and cosmetic cases retail between $15 and $64.