What is that made from?!
Wrappers:
The Wrappers are factory-discarded misprints and overages, which would otherwise end up in landfills which are given to communities in Mexico and Brazil. There they are woven into stylish, handmade, durable, waterproof bags.
Billboards and Banners:
Our Billboard items are NOT paper, buy Vinyl! Yes, billboards are vinyl and therefore waterproof and very durable! We know you can't pick a chose your colors, but ask you take a leap of faith for these unique artistic bags. (You can always email us to find out what colors are in stock!)
Rice Bags:
The Rice Bags are actually plastic bags that carry rice, fish food or other commodities throughout Southeast Asia. Producer groups take these bags, wash them completely, and then transform them into our fun and functional totes and accessories. Each product sold provides a sustainable living to Cambodian weavers and producers, many of whom are female heads of households, disabled due to polio or landmine injury, or young women pulled from brothels and taught a trade.
Fire Hose:
A Poland based company has re-purposed a most honorable tool. Changing used fire hoses in to bags and accessories. Each has it's own patina.
Flip Flop:
Our light-weight and durable Flip Flop products are constructed by hand
with scrap foam rubber and galvanized metal wire. The scrap from flip
flop sandal factories would otherwise have gone into landfills.
Vegetable/Juice Containers:
"basura", the Filipino word for garbage,
into a unique collection of eco-chic bags and accessories, the innovative
business venture reduces litter, keeps millions of juice containers
out of crowded landfills and conserves resources that would otherwise
be used to make bags and accessories from virgin materials. The social
story of how these unique bags support the livelihood of less fortunate
women and their families is equally compelling. The sewing cooperative
that began with six women has now blossomed to more than 500 members.
Half of the employees work full time at the Co-Op which pays school
children to collect over 50,000 used juice containers per day after
school. The containers are washed, sanitized and expertly stitched into items that
are exported and sold in over 15 countries around the world.
Bicycle Parts:
Tons of the discarded bicycle parts every year are collected from bike shops all over the United States. They are then cleaned using mild detergents and sorted for use in their new lives.
Circuit Boards:
Reclaimed circuit boards, from computer, an electronics component, a phone, or a television, combined with some other fun materials.
Licence Plates:
License plates are obtained from large license plate dealers and junkyards and donations. Because authentic recycled plates are used, small nicks and scratches
are inherent in the plates and add to their history and character.
However, because we buy only #1 grade plates (out of 5 grades) the
imperfections are very minor. Handles are 40% post-consumer rubber sheeting.
Typewriter Keys:
All the jewelry is made without the use of glue or solder and only from authentic keys from manual typewriters
that otherwise would be on their way to landfill due to damage. The
remainder of these typewriters are then donated to a local artist who builds life-size human figures out of their parts
and sells them in galleries nationwide.
Pull-Tabs:
Brazilian craft cooperatives – Cia do Lacre and As Panteras do Lacre – design and produce these sleek, modern pieces using traditional
crochet techniques and recycled aluminum pull-tabs.
