Stylish Recycled Bags

Made by a company aware of poverty, especially among indigenous groups in Mexico where the company is located. Established to help empower craftspeople live better lives by employing mostly women to make their products, such as the candy wrapper purses. In addition to offering these women employment, it gives them the opportunity to take the materials to their homes so they can better care for their families while they work, helping to improve the quality of their lives.

NOVICA, in association with National Geographic, offers thousands of limited edition and one-of-a-kind gifts, jewelry, and home decor treasures handmade by master artists and artisans throughout the world. Bright drops of color bring charming elegance to this shoulder bag, an exclusive design by Neide Ambrosio. Based on crochet techniques, she knits together a mesh of aluminum poptops resulting in a trendy, eco-friendly bag. Artisan Info: "I still cannot believe how life can be so unpredictable and have everything change from one day to another. I am from Sao Paolo, and when I retired I moved to Rio de Janeiro because my husband is a singer, and Rio offers better career opportunities. At the time, my husband was very busy because he wanted to further his career in this new city and it wasn't easy, so I spent all my time alone. I was getting bored and feeling useless. I was unhappy and I didn't have any friends so I was alone all the time. "One of my friends in Sao Paolo was sick and I was going over to visit her, so I wanted to bring her a present. I went walking all over Rio looking for an original and I came upon an arts and crafts fair where I saw a woman making belts using recycled objects. I fell in love with that belt and I started talking with the woman. I confided how difficult it was for me to adapt to Rio, and she felt compassion for me. She said that she would teach me how to crochet and use recycled objects, so that this could became a hobby for me.

Room for everything, this bag is sure to please anyone who carries a backpack. Lined, drawstring inner shell and a "flap over" outside closure with a wooden button. 3 outside pockets; one in the front and one on each side also close securely with a wood button. Straps are adjustable and the backpack has a loop for hanging. Measures 18" deep (long) x 12" across x 7" wide. Each bag is uniquely made and will have some variations in colors. Everyone falls in love with this backpack. What a great way to recycle jute rice bags. A quality backpack at a terrific price!

Recycling Seat Belts is something that would never have occurred to me. It turns out that there are a lot of uses for them, and making bags, purses and wallets are just one of their uses.

Gather compliments from men and women alike when you have the unique styling of this half wallet from Harveys in tow. The woven seatbelt construction offers a stylish and durable exterior, while the satin logo interior will keep you organized with the four credit card slots, a clear ID slot, and a dollar bill pocket. Complement your Harveys handbag with this matching wallet!

Take a walk in the moonlight. By Catalina Estrada. Made with 95-percent recycled woven polypropylene, a roomy exterior pocket and shoulder length straps. 15-inch w by 11-inch h by 6-1/4-inch d. The PERFECT airplane carry-on bag. Just right for shoving in the overhead compartment or stowing easily under the seat in front of you. Good for using on the ground too.

Tires takes years and years to break down in landfills. Finding good uses for old tires is the only real way to prevent them from being in our landfills a century from now.

What do you do with your old tires?