From Japan, we have a unique example of reconfiguring an everyday item in order to give it additional practical uses.

Terra Daily reports:

A lingerie maker, in a bid to discourage Japanese from using plastic bags, on Wednesday unveiled a bra whose cup padding unfolds to become a handheld shopping bag.

Lingerie maker Triumph has regularly designed bras aimed at drawing attention to social issues and to raise its own profile. Last year it unveiled a bra that can be heated in a microwave so as to help save on indoor heating costs.

The “Bra Rangers” — named in a nod to the television characters that morph into superheroes — come with matching underwear whose pocket has the inscribed message, “No more plastic bags!”

The bra-turned-bag is made of polyester fiber created through recycling. The bra straps can be tied onto the bag as ribbons.

While the “eco bra” might not be everyone’s cup o’ (green) tea, it’s an inspiring (and amusing) example of how one can put boring old “stuff” to fun and creative new uses.