A Lifesaving Handbag

Nothing is more chic than an expensive looking, black handbag.  Well, maybe the fact that it's made out of an inner tube!  This bag has dual purposes, it can carry your lipstick and kleenex or function as a life saver in case of flooding.  Whatever you choose to use it for, I couldn't agree more with this eco-friendly mission statement.  Here's a copy taken from the English Retreats website:

English Retreads turns recycling into a bold fashion statement with eco-chic handbags and accessories handcrafted in Boulder, Colorado. In 2001 Heather English had a predicament; she was searching for a new vegan handbag that was stylish and eco-friendly – a lofty request at the time. While some people get their best ideas in the shower, Heather got hers while floating down Boulder Creek on an inner tube. “It occurred to me that this inner tube could be made into the handbag I’d been dreaming of.” English Retreads hit the road in 2002.

English Retreads repurposes inner tubes collected from local truck stops. “We want to provide consumers with an opportunity to make sustainable fashion choices without compromising style or quality.” The purpose of English Retreads is to continue to deepen our commitment as a Triple Bottom Line company (people, planet, profit) as we provide consumers with fashionable products which have a low impact on the environment.

And an interview with Heather, the creator of English Retreads:

Rag:  "Where are most of your resources and supplies collected?"

Heather:  "The inner tubes that are used for our products are collected from truck stops in Colorado. These greasy, old tubes would have gone straight into the landfill where they'd just sit there for thousands of years! Instead we're giving them a new life as eco-savvy handbags and accessories."

Rag:  "Who and where are most of your products created?"

Heather:  "Our production facility is in Boulder, CO."

Rag:  "Who are your main consumers?"

Heather:  "Our customers are eco-savvy, they want to have a light carbon footprint while making a bold fashion statement. We sell online directly to the customer as well as wholesale to unique boutiques across the country. We have more female customers because we have more products for women. Men love our products and we've been told they are the only handbags men will buy for their wives." 

Rag:  "Other than recycling, how else does your product help the community?"

Heather:  "English Retreads creates jobs for people in our community of Boulder. We've chosen to keep production local in order to help the local economy as well as to keep our carbon footprint lower." 

Check out some of her ingenious accessories, you can also find more on their website.

Strut $34

Bentley Luxe $148

Beetle Large $158

Wallet $34

License Plate Belt Buckle $58