# Eco-Chic Handbags English Retreads Recycles Inner Tubes to Make Refined Leather Accessories By Andrew Robertson | Published 2012-06-19 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/english-retreads References: [englishretreads](http://www.englishretreads.com/) While most people may associate inner-tubing with a relaxing adventure down a river, Heather English found inspiration for English Retreads, a brand specializing in [chic handbags and accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/freitag-x-tudes-studio) repurposed from discarded tubes. From handbags (both male and female), wallets and belts English Retreads provides high-end accessories that are made from [recycled inner tubes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kathmandu-epiq-se) collected from local truck stops. By utilizing what would otherwise be an environmentally damaging addition to a landfill to make quality products, English Retread is sticking to their policy of being a triple bottom line company -- people, planet profit. The products are distinguished by their elegance, a testament to the fact that eco and sustainable couture does not have to come at the cost of durability or style. **Contact Information** English Retreads [website](http://www.englishretreads.com/) English Retreads on [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/English.Retreads) English Retreads on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/#!/englishretreads) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.4/10 - Popularity: 55% | Activity: 68% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Social Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialbusiness) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Eco-friendly Fashion:** Creating high-end accessories and couture from recycled materials, such as discarded inner tubes, presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the fashion industry. - **Circular Economy:** English Retreads' approach of repurposing discarded tubes into refined leather accessories showcases the potential for disruptive innovation in the waste management and recycling industry. - **Sustainable Luxury:** By offering elegant and durable products made from recycled materials, English Retreads taps into the growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly luxury goods, signaling an opportunity for disruption in the luxury industry. ### Where This Applies - **Fashion Industry:** English Retreads' eco-chic handbags and accessories provide a disruptive innovation opportunity within the fashion industry by showcasing the potential of creating high-end products from recycled materials. - **Waste Management and Recycling:** The repurposing of discarded inner tubes into refined leather accessories by English Retreads presents a disruptive innovation opportunity within the waste management and recycling industry, highlighting the potential for value creation from waste materials. - **Luxury Goods Industry:** English Retreads' sustainable luxury products, made from recycled inner tubes, demonstrate a disruptive innovation opportunity within the luxury goods industry, catering to consumers seeking eco-friendly and socially responsible luxury options. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Airline Safety Equipment Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/upcycled-life-vests.md) - [Upcycled Aircraft Luggages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emirates-2.md) - [Ocean Plastic Laptop Bags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/targus.md) - [Upcycled Carrying Bags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coastline-ecosmart.md) - [Woven Statement Totes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/holst-lee1.md) - [Eco-Friendly Indian Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/latin-quarters.md) - [Upcycled Leather Wallet Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/upcycled-leather-wallet.md) - [Retail Overconsumption Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coachtopia-1.md) - [Ethical Hemp-Derived Backpacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecofrico.md)