These stylish handbags are made out of salvaged roof materials, but not just from any ceiling -- the RCA Dome. When the NFL stadium underwent construction, the former home of the Indianapolis Colts had a significant amount of debris to deal with: fence wrap, old seats, roof fabric, teflon-coated fiberglass, vinyl banners and more.
Indiana-based non-profit organization People for Urban Progress (PUP) led the effort to salvage and repurpose the roof fabric, diverting almost 13 acres of fiberglass from landfills to create clutches, messenger bags and wallets. This project earned close to $70,000, which went to local designers as well as three different community structures, including the Highland Vicinity Canopy in Indianapolis. The salvaged roof materials are continually being used to create more bags.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Sustainably Repurposed Materials
- Opportunity for brands to utilize salvaged materials and create unique products.
- Circular Economy Fashion
- Potential for fashion industry to embrace circular economy principles by transforming waste into stylish accessories.
- Collaborative Sustainability Projects
- Growing trend of non-profit organizations partnering with designers and communities to create sustainable initiatives.
Where This Applies
- Fashion
- Fashion brands can explore using repurposed materials as a way to stand out and appeal to eco-conscious consumers.
- Sustainable Design
- Opportunities for sustainable design companies to work with salvaged materials and contribute to circular economy efforts.
- Non-profit Organizations
- Non-profit organizations can find collaborations with designers and communities to create impactful sustainability projects.
