Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 460,228 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,238 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 321,344 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,238 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 321,344 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,209 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 460,228 cutting edge ideas.

Fire Hoses as Accessories

Patina Japan Recycles Old Hoses into Shoulder Bags

— September 15, 2009 — Eco
When a fire hose is past its prime, what should be done with it? Patina Japan, a company formed specifically to recycle used hoses, has the answer: arm candy. More specifically, turn old fire hoses into shoulder bags -- heavy-duty bags that can withstand harsh conditions from rain to fire.

Unwanted hoses, from those used for fire training to hoses no one ever bothered to use, are turned into carry-all bags by expert craftsmen who manually cut, sew, and piece each bag one by one. Each bag is unique, and some are considered valuable due to their long lifespans, aging texture, and unique scars from noble battles and fires.

Not only does Patina Japan turn fire hoses into shoulder bags, the company also uses discarded seat belts as shoulder straps and donates a portion of the bags’ proceeds towards environment conservation efforts.
Trend Themes
1. Upcycling - The trend of transforming waste materials, such as fire hoses, into new and valuable products, such as shoulder bags, presents an opportunity for companies to embrace sustainable practices while offering unique and eco-friendly products to consumers.
2. Circular Economy - The adoption of circular economy principles, as demonstrated by Patina Japan's recycling of old fire hoses, enables businesses to reduce waste and extend the lifespan of materials, creating new opportunities for product innovation and cost savings.
3. Sustainable Fashion - The use of repurposed fire hoses as accessories, like shoulder bags, aligns with the growing demand for sustainable fashion options, providing an avenue for fashion brands to offer environmentally conscious products that appeal to eco-conscious consumers.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - The fashion industry can embrace the trend of repurposing materials like fire hoses into accessories, presenting an opportunity to offer unique and environmentally friendly products that cater to the growing demand for sustainable fashion.
2. Manufacturing - Manufacturing companies can capitalize on the upcycling trend by finding innovative ways to repurpose waste materials, like fire hoses, into new products, reducing waste and contributing to a circular economy.
3. Environmental Conservation - Organizations focused on environmental conservation can partner with companies like Patina Japan to collaborate on recycling initiatives and leverage the trend of upcycling to generate funds and create awareness for their cause.
2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness