VitaBags were made from certified organic cotton in India, where the workers are treated ethically.
"It's all organic. So after you use it for three years, whenever the bag's too worn out to keep using it, then you can dispose it and it's going to decompose within three weeks and it's not going to put any toxic things in the environment."
Clavijo said the bags could be used for any purpose: sandwich bags, make-up, etc.
However, her main intent for their use would be shopping for fruit and veges.
A campaigner for a plastic bag free Christchurch, Megan Blakie, believed innovative alternatives and manufacturing could lead the way in this country.
She said although New Zealand had a pure image, it could be made a reality by fostering sustainable businesses.
"People in the community do care and it gives me hope for the future," Blakie said.
Cecilia Clavjijo hoped to launch her planet-friendly bags this September and would distribute them throughout supermarkets and fruit and vege stores.