Aussie icon designed into handbag

The humble goon bag is being repurposed and turned into handbags by one thrifty Darwin man

Goon bag artist Andrew ‘Noodle E String’ McLennan with his collection of wine inspired handbags. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The humble goon bag is being repurposed and turned into handbags by one thrifty Darwin man.

Andrew ‘Noodle E String’ McLennan is the mastermind behind the thrifty designs.

Using heat Mr McLennan fuses together several goon bags to make a sturdy handbag.

“I’ve just always had an interest in recycling and repurposing stuff,” he said.

“To make a bag out of bag just seemed like the right thing to do.”

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He said repurposing goon bags was more fun when they came in the 4 litre size.

“Years ago when you could get the 4 litre cask of wine the goon bags themselves used to come out in different colours,” he said.

“They were divine to work with. The goon bag itself was a jewel.”

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Now days if he wants to make a large handbag he uses a water bladder.

Mr McLennan is also the man behind the goon bag car cover, which was a popular sight in the mid 2000s around town.

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He doesn’t drink all the goon himself but rather sources the bags from bins.

He is selling the bags on Facebook’s marketplace.

“People really like it because it’s out there and different,” he said.

“It’s just one of real Aussie sort of things.”