10 Most Incredible Recycled Bags

5 years ago Environment

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Written by guest contributor Lauren K

Green is the new black as today’s handbag lovers become more eco-friendly. The luxury labels of Louis Vuitton and Prada will always have a special place in our hearts, but more modern style icons are ditching these designers for more environmentally-friendly accessories.

We’ve all heard of recycling paper, plastic, and glass, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. These days handbag designers are turning some unlikely trash into head-turning accessories you’ll treasure. Woven candy wrapper purses started the trend, but now you’ll find bags made from rice sacks, license plates, juice boxes, soft drink pull tabs, and so much more! These clever purses keep the clutter out of landfill and make a real conversation starter.

Rebagz Reuses Rubbish for Purses

Half the Sky Designs have turned the heads of some of Hollywood’s greenest stars including Gwen Stefani, Angelina Jolie, and Heidi Klum with their Rebagz accessories range. As the name suggests, these innovative handbags are made from all recycled goods including rice sacks and juice boxes.

Neide Ambrosio Makes Beautiful Bags from Pop Tops and Zippers

Neide Ambrosio is one of my favorite eco-friendly fashion designers. This Brazilian handbag goddess creates beautiful purses with soda pop tops, zipper pulls, and other items we’d usually throw away.

Nahui Ollin Uses Ancient Skills to Make Modern Handbags

Another South American accessory house leading the way is Nahui Ollin. The company’s chief designer Olga Abadi learned the ancient Mayan skill of binding candy wrappers and old magazines from cultural festivals near her home. Today she’s taking the technique to the world!

GG2G Makes Fashion Eco-Friendly

GG2G stands for Green Goods 2 Give & Get, an innovative accessories company which takes their environmentally-friendly stance seriously. Founders Alison Grieveson and Dayan Moore use old vinyl billboards, bicycle tires, and vintage fabrics to create their vibrant purses.

Littlearth Creates Colorful License Plate Purses

License plates are given a new lease on life thanks to Littlearth handbags. This clever company creates adorable purses by wrapping used license plates around hubcaps. But the recycling doesn’t stop there. The handles are made from durable recycled rubber, and the clasps are old bottle tops! The cute purses are decorated with lively designs so they look a world away from the junk they were made from!

10 Green Bags We Love

• Rebagz rice sack messenger bags
• Rebagz juice box clutch and cosmetics purses
• Neide Ambrosio Bossa Nova shoulder bag
• Neide Ambrosio zipper pull evening bag
• Nahui Ollin New Overturned tote bag
• Nahui Ollin Cutie Pie handbag
• G2GG Revinylized Natalie wristlet
• GG2G Fluxure Opal purse
• GG2G Chicnik Evangeline bag
• Littlearth Cyclone Sweet Martini handbag

With so many fun environmentally-friendly accessories on the market, it’s easy for even the most fashion conscious folks to go green!

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Written by: Linda

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Comments

Old Comments

JM says

Nov 6th, 2009 at 12am
You should check out the Suburban Shoppper from www.cleanconsciencegoods.com - it's a true eco friendly shopping bag. Made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastice PET water bottles. Other bags claim that they are recyclable - I called our town's recycling company and they said they are not collecting or recycling those non-woven polywhatever bags so it's just going into landfill - and since they are still a plastic product - it's going to sit in landfill for centuries. Can you also see the dyes that they use to dye those colorful free/cheap bags? I chose the Clean Conscience bag because it is well built, durable, washable (w.o. shrinking) and will last a LONG TIME - and I don't intend to throw this one away! I highly recommend it! p.s. did I mention the Clean Conscience bags are made in the usa?

Jackie O says

Oct 1st, 2009 at 12am
Check out the bags from this site: www.cleanconsciencegoods.com The bags are both made in America and made from 100% recycled materials. Sometimes people tout totes that are made overseas! I have one and it doesn't shrink and is practical for everyday use! Eco-friendly and Economically-friendly :) Happy shopping! Jackie O

Martin says

Apr 22nd, 2009 at 12am
I believe our bag would really fit in your top ten. I suggest you have a look at them and touch & feel them as well !! CYCLUS is a Colombian brand of "eco design" products they develop innovative processes by reusing industrial and urban materials thus prolonging their "useful" life cycle. The aim is to strengthen an environmental awareness by showing that another way to consume is possible, more responsibly and with less waste and garbages. CYCLUS a new generation of fair trade offer, which combines ethic, design and trendy! http://www.cyclusquebec.com

alex says

Apr 14th, 2009 at 12am
wow nice idea, this would save my gf from spending so much if she made her own bags like this!

libia says

Jan 3rd, 2009 at 12am
hi! it is such a great article and its awesome that people are actualy taking care on saving the world. Just for you to know once in Canada there was a big sale of recycled stuff and there was a beatifull bag made of chips and coke's wrap papers.. I have been looking on internet pages to find out how to make them but i havent found them. Just a new tip, maybe you will find it!

Gwyn T. Balolong says

Nov 13th, 2008 at 12am
Im very impressed in reading this article. Recycling materials is a very good practice in saving our remaining world resources. Inovating and creating new products out from recyled materials is a very good business and hope more people will create and inovate new products.