Ricardo Beverly Hills and Sierra Club Partner to Launch New Eco-Friendly Luggage Line

LA MIRADA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gone are the days when “green” only referred to luggage color. The definition now extends to the environmentally-friendly impact of luggage and travel accessories. Ricardo Beverly Hills (www.ricardobeverlyhills.com), a luggage industry leader based in Los Angeles, California, announced today that it has partnered with the Sierra Club, the most influential non-profit grassroots environmental organization in the United States, to develop and market eco-friendly luggage and travel accessories.

“We look forward to increasing the presence of eco-friendly travel and accessories in the luggage and travel industries.”

The new luggage line, Muir Pass, will be available nationwide in Fall 2009 and includes suitcases, backpacks, carry-ons and duffle bags.

“It is an honor to partner with a forward-thinking company that has such a strong presence in the luggage industry,” said Johanna O’Kelley, Director of Licensing for Sierra Club. “We look forward to increasing the presence of eco-friendly travel and accessories in the luggage and travel industries.”

Robert Dodson, Ricardo Beverly Hills President said, “We are very excited to partner with Sierra Club to bring more environmentally friendly travel products to market. This is an important part of our holistic approach to become a green company and better corporate citizen.”

Sierra Club’s luggage is designed to be eco-friendly, meeting a variety of standards such as the use of recycled and renewable resources for packaging, materials and components. In addition, the Sierra Club works closely with its factory and supplier partners’ manufacturing processes to help them reduce their eco-footprints. All Sierra Club travel products are designed, constructed and tested to ensure that the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) standards are met or exceeded, and the individual components are tested before production to ensure testing standards are met. The purchase of Sierra Club luggage is a way to make a positive impact, and a portion of the sales from this product supports Sierra Club’s efforts to preserve and protect the planet.

About Ricardo Beverly Hills

Ricardo Beverly Hills celebrates over 30 years in business and has earned a reputation as a fashion leader and trendsetter in the luggage industry. Recently named in National Geographic’s “10 Best of Everything” book, the company attributes their success to a never-ending commitment to designing fresh, unique and innovative luggage collections. Ricardo Beverly Hills is one of the largest luggage companies in the United States and continues to create fashion-forward luggage that offers quality and real value at affordable prices. For more information: www.ricardobeverlyhills.com.

About Sierra Club

Sierra Club is America's oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental nonprofit organization. Founded in 1892 by the well-known conservationist John Muir, Sierra Club has been instrumental in protecting wildlife and wild places for over 100 years. Today Sierra Club has over 1.3 million active members and supporters and it is committed to leaving a legacy of clean air, clean water and natural grandeur.

Sierra Club travel products are designed to recognize that environmental awareness is not a trend, but a fundamental change in consumer needs. The purchase of Sierra Club luggage is way to make a positive impact, and a portion of the sales from this product supports Sierra Club's efforts to preserve and protect the planet. For more information: http://www.sierraclub.org.

Note to Editors: Please contact Jean Golden (612-385-2324/[e-mail]) or Jan Strode (619-890-4040/[e-mail]) for interviews, photography requests or any additional information.