Unique Purses From Upcycled Material

Re-used bags, made from material that started its life as something else.

Clutch Bag
Reused numberplates. inner tube sides. Nutu Designs, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Source: www.knowtrash.com  To buy try searching www.bidorbuy.co.za

Littlearth Fender License Plate Purse
Size: 12.5″ x 6″ x 3″ Weight: 2 lbs
21″ recycled rubber strap
Fully-lined velvet interior with velvet pocket
Many styles and U.S. States available.
www.ebags.com    $ 112.

UrthBags the Bridgette Recycled Newspaper Tote
An adorable bag handwoven from recycled newspaper. A tough plasticized covering makes this bag water-resistant. These bags are crafted by Fair Trade women’s organizations, supporting underprivileged women worldwide. 12″L x 8″W x 3″H.
www.worldofgood.ebay.com    $ 88.

Plastic Bag Handbag
Plastic shopping bags, cut and folded.
Maker Kunye, Capetown, South Africa.
www.kunye.org

Firehose Bag
‘Ludwig’ Bowling Bag.
Made from decommissioned red, yellow and ultra-rare blue fire-hose, turquoise zipper. The bag is lined with reclaimed dark blue material.
www.issiworld.com  $370.

Inner Tube Bag
Tractor Inner Tubes and store sign banners.
15″ wide, 7.5″ high, 3.5″ deep. Numerous styles.
1.5 lbs.  Richmond, VA. To date Passchall has recycled 56 tons of inner tubes!
www.passchal.com     $ 75.

Foot Bag
Old rubber boots turned into a handbag.
Trimmed and then stiched together so you can carry lots on a rainy day.
Design by: Marco Scuderi  Abruzzo, Pescara. Italy.
www.myspace.com/skuderi

Seat Belt Bag
Global Girlfriend
Made in Delhi, India $ 38.
worldofgood.ebay.com

Auto Seat Bag
This luggage quality travel bag is made with fabric from a 1979 GM.
See their plane seat bags, too! Great selection at website!
Kim White $ 100 – $ 400
www.kimwhitehandbags.com

Car Seat Bag
Upcycled leather flap.
By R3dna, San Francisco
www.r3dna.com

DIY Book Purse
Source: www.kcsramblings.blogspot.com

Another Book Bag
A How-To Video is here: www.curbly.com

Soccer Ball, Football, Basketball Purses
Designer Daphne Ruff – Oakland, California.
www.daphneruff.wordpress.com

Car Mat Purse
Janet J. Cooper’s museum of recycled handbags.
www.janetcooperdesigns.com

Magazine Clutch
Urthbags one of a kind handbags are handcrafted from recycled fashion magazines and made water-resistant by an exterior covered in salvaged plastic. Magnetic clasp closure and small interior zipper pocket. Made by Fair Trade women’s organizations.
8.5″L x 1.5″W x 4″H.
www.worldofgood.ebay.com    $ 38.

Map Purse
Do it yourself instructions…
www.sonyastyle.com
A clutch style here… www.flickr.com

Handbag made from Pre-run Hollywood Movies
Made with actual Hollywood movies that have run in theaters. Several frames of different movies make up each bag. 35mm strips are hand crocheted together using mercerized yarn by the work of a women’s cooperative in The Phillipines. The sides of the bag are crochet too. Movie Film is often destroyed when it has run its time in the theater, but saved from the landfill. Movie film is backed with a clear leader film so you can see the images when held up to the light, but when bag is closed contents will not be visible. 100% polyester film. Bag measures 6″ x 7.5″ x 1″ with a velcro closure. Strap is 44″ long.
www.worldofgood.ebay.com    $ 20.

Recycled Keyboard Clutch
Zippered clutch/purse handloop
Denim interior
Made with approximately 210 black keyboard keys per bag
Clutch body size: 6″ x 9-1/2″
www.neatoshop.com    $ 38.

An Old Coat with Telephone Cord Handles
Art Deco Design, Italy.
www.artdecodesign.typepad.com

Handmade bag
made from recycled 100% cotton men’s shirts artfully arranged in a patchwork design. No two are exactly alike. Made by Kathleen Tesnakis. $88. eco-artware.com

Upcycled Sails and Wool Tote
Made from recycled sail cloth and scraps from Woolrich’s wool mill.
$40. and up. www.seabags.com

Woven Recycled Juice Pack Handbag
Made by a women’s cooperative in the Philippines.
Many styles and colors.
www.doybags.com     $ 32 – $ 70.

Woven Recycled Juice Pack Handbag
Numerous sizes and  colors.
Made by a women’s cooperative in the Philippines.
www.doybags.com    $ 32 – $ 70.

Rice Sack Handbag
Made from recycled rice sack bags
Approx. 13in/33cm wide, 7in/18cm high (not including handles), 6in/15cm deep
Made by a women’s cooperative in the Philippines.
www.doybags.com    $ 50.

Fair Trade Hemp Recycled Rice Bag
100% Hemp loose weave canvas, these are rice bags that have been modified to make the most unique sling bag! Fully lined with an inner pocket and zippered top. Roughly 15″ across, 13-14″ tall, 4-5″ wide with a 40″ strap.
www.worldofgood.ebay.com    $ 26.

The Poptop Handbag
Tha flip-top tabs from soda can factories in case you were worried it smells like beer.
15″L x 15″W
www.vivaterra.com    $ 98.

Cat and Dog Hair Purse
Catty Shack Creations’ animal hair handbags by Danelle German. Or make one out of your own cat’s hair! Source: www.greenmuze.com  www.cattyshackcreations.com  seems to be down…

Yes Bag
Made from Fabric Scraps
19″W x 10″H, 11″ straps
www.vivaterra.com    $ 64.

Gotta Have it Bag
14″H x 16″W x 3″D, Adjustable Straps
Tiers of multi-colored silk scraps from saris.
Each bag unique, no two are alike.
www.vivaterra.com    $ 69.

Fair Trade Hemp and Recycled Silk Purse from Nepal
100% Recycled Silk with all natural, wild gathered hemp that is processed without chemicals! Recycled silk yarn is made from the new fabric scraps from making saris, instead of adding to a landfill, they reuse the fibers to make these amazing creations- each completely unique! Roughly 10-11″ across, 12-13″ tall, roughly 50-51″ strap,fully lined with an inner zippered pocket and a zip top.
www.worldofgood.ebay.com    $ 30.

Recycled Huipil Handbag – Fair Trade Winds
Unique purse made of embroidered cotton fabric from recycled huipiles, colorful blouses worn by Mayan women. Zipper closure, small zippered pocket inside. Black cotton lining. Colors and patterns may vary.  10 in. l x 2 1/2 in. w x 7 1/2 in. h, handles: 23 in.
www.worldofgood.ebay.com  $ 35.