Dec 26, 2008 4:00 pm US/Eastern
Green Scene: Recycling Tires Into Purses
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Women know it's not easy finding a purse that is fashionable, durable and eco-friendly all at once. But one woman started a handbag company using recycled inner tubes. CBS 3's Angela Russell has the story.
Dozens of dirty inner tubes come from trucks and tractors and get an extreme makeover. They're scrubbed, polished, and buffed. Add some rivets and a zipper, and you have a retread. Literally!
The purse company is called English Retreads and is the brainchild of Heather English.
"It was out of necessity, really," said English. "Just needed a non-leather handbag and I'm really into recycling, so just threw one together."
They have tough exteriors, but are lined in silky softness with fabric made from recycled plastic bottles.
"We have handbags and book bags and accessories like belts and wallets," said English.
In seven years, these bags have made tracks. English Retreads are carried in boutiques across the country, and English keeps designing new products.
"I feel like we're doing a really good thing for the world," said English.
And she's getting more mileage out of rubber.
English Retreads are sold in boutiques around our area and at their Web site,
EnglishRetreads.com.
RELATED LINK:
English Retreads Stores
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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