If you need a new wallet, why not take the opportunity to buy a recycled wallet made from materials that would otherwise end up in landfill.
Every time you buy a new product, you choose more than just the color or design of the product. You also choose the impact the product has on our planet. By choosing a product made from trash, you are saying, “I want to protect the environment and our planet“.
Buying recycled is a great way to help reduce your impact. Choosing sustainable, eco-friendly brands working hard to reduce our impact is a simple way to help.
You have the power to vote with your wallet and make a difference every time you shop.
Below are our favorite brands making recycled wallets from our trash
Tentree
Who is Tentree?
Tentree makes earth-first essentials made from organic and recycled materials. They use recycled polyester, Tencel, hemp, and organic cotton in products ranging from loungewear to activewear for women, men, and your little ones. Think hoodies, casual pants, t-shirts, and stylish jumpsuits.
They also make wallets! Recycled wallets to be precise.
Tentree believes we all have a responsibility to protect the world in which we live. Choosing to buy sustainably is an excellent place to start. This is why they created the brand.
What we love about Tentree!
The best part is that Tentree plants ten trees for every product you buy from them.
In business since 2012, Tentree has planted over 53 million trees so far, and they plan to hit 1 billion by 2030.
Not only can you help them achieve this by buying one of their fabulous wallets, but you will also be supporting recycling.
Here are a few other great reasons to buy from Tentree:
- They are a certified B-Corporation
- Partner with charities such as Eden Projects, Trees for the Future, and One Tree Planted.
- They’re phasing out single-use plastics in their business.
- They partner with factories that meet the highest standards for ethical labor rights.
- Transparency is important to them. You can find all the info on their site.
Rothy's
Who is Rothy’s?
Rothy’s aim is a sustainable future for fashion. To help achieve this they are converting eco-friendly textiles into elegant and everyday-use products. They make gorgeous shoes and bags from recycled polyester.
Approximately 12 billion shoes are produced worldwide each year, and unfortunately, 85% of those end up in landfills. Another not-so-fun fact is that every minute one million water bottles are sold globally.
Rothy’s are working to help solve these two issues. They make their shoes and handbags out of recycled plastic bottles.
Their products are designed with quality and longevity in mind. Not only are their bags and shoes designed to last, but they are all designed to be machine washable too. There are heaps of beautiful designs to choose from.
What we love about Rothy’s
Rothy’s are working hard to close the loop and support a truly circular economy by launching a recycling program.
Plus:
- They follow sustainable and responsible manufacturing standards.
- They partner with Carbonfund.org, offsetting their carbon emissions via The Envira Amazonia Project. Helping to protect nearly 500,000 acres of tropical rainforest.
- They believe in caring for their workforce as if they were their family. With health and wellness benefits for all employees, regardless of whether they are in San Francisco or China.
- Rothy’s is not afraid to sell out of products as this means they are not overproducing.
- They are striving for zero waste at their workshop.
- All Rothy’s bags and shoes are 3D knit to shape. This produces much less waste than the usual manufacturing practices.
- They use 100% recycled and biodegradable packaging.
- They are constantly retesting and optimizing their sustainable efforts
Svala
Who is Svala?
Founder Helga Douglas started Svala to make luxury handbags and accessories that are animal friendly and produced sustainably.
Using innovative fabrics such as Pinatex made from discarded Pineapple leaves and fibers. They also use recycled polyester made from plastic bottles to line their bags and wallets.
What we love about Svala!
- They donate 10% of their profits to charities and organizations such as Wild Aid, tackling illegal wildlife trading.
- Their carbon emission is offset to reduce their overall carbon footprint.
- They operate as a direct to consumer.
- They support fair wages and comfortable working conditions.
Matt & Nat
Who are Matt & Nat?
Passionate about life and in awe of the natural world around them, the founders of Mat & Nat were inspired to create a company that reflected their values of social responsibility and integrity. Their name, Matt & Nat was inspired by the combination of Material and Nature.
Right from the start, they have been committed to not using leather or other animal-based materials in their designs. This lead them down a path of exploration and innovation, looking for alternatives materials for their products.
In addition to being vegan, sustainable materials are constantly sourced in the design, such as cork and rubber. Plus, in 2007, they committed to only using lining made from 100% plastic bottles.
Their beautiful handbags can be found in boutiques in Canada, the United States, UK, Japan, Germany, and Australia.
What we love about Matt & Nat!
- Their head office in Montreal is a çruelty free zone.
- They recommend you donate used bags to Dress For Success.
Labonte London
Who is Labonte London?
Labonte London was born out of a combined love of animals, fashion, and the planet. Their philosophy is to build a brand around the statement “Fashion With Respect“.
Labonte London uses recycled polyester made from plastic water bottles for the interior of their wallets and handbags. They use the same recycled fabric for their dust bags.
In addition to their recycled wallets and handbags, they have a range of recycled sunglasses made from 100% recycled wood.
Want to find more recycled sunglasses, check out our article The best eco-friendly sunglasses.
What we love about Labonte London!
- 10% of Labonte London profits go to charitable causes. You even get to choose which charity you prefer.
- As well as using recycled fabrics, no animal-based dyes and glues are used in their manufacturing process.
- They are committed to empowering women worldwide, which is why their design and production team is 99% women.
- They only work with factories that have SEDEX certification, a non-profit organization that helps maintain ethical information.
Recycled Firefighter
Who is Recycled Firefighter?
The founder of Recycled Firefighter, Jake, worked as a full-time firefighter but was not making enough money to support his growing family. So he decided to try something new and now he makes recycled wallets.
He taught himself how to sew and started making wallets out of repurposed fire hoses. His wallets were a big hit, and now he has a range of bags, belts, and other accessories.
To date, he has recycled and repurposed over 15,000 feet of decommissioned fire hose from around the U.S. Every product holds an amazing story of where the hose has come from.
What we love about Recycled Firefighter!
Many products like firehoses are essential in our community, but once they reach the end of their life, they are sent to landfill.
We love that Jake has come up with a new use for this material, keeping it in circulation for longer and saving the material from landfills.
Recycled Vegan and Tuc
Who is Recycled Vegan and TuC?
If you are looking for something more unique, why not try Recycled Vegan and TuC.
The owner Rachel handmakes the wallets and belts from recycled, rescued & reclaimed, ethical & vegan materials.
She knows the history of all the recycled materials used, so if you want to know the story, be sure to ask.
Some of the materials used include life rafts, life jackets, firehose, inner tubes, and beach inflatables. The items depend on the availability of materials, so they can be in limited supply, so don’t take too long deciding!
What we love about Recycled Vegan and TuC!
We definitely love the small businesses that are stepping up and creating sustainable products. Recycled Vegan and TuC is another great example.
Plus, we love that they use recyclable packaging. Their packaging is basic and ethical to save the earth and reduce costs for them and their customers.
The Wrap
Buying recycled is a great way to help reduce your impact on the planet. By choosing sustainable, eco-friendly brands that are working hard to reduce the waste crisis. When your old wallet is worn out it’s time to use your money for good and buy a recycled wallet.
Find more ways to vote with your wallet in our buying guides.
- Buy Recycled: Sunglasses
- Buy Recycled: Backpacks
- Buy Recycled: Swimsuits for Kids
- Buy Recycled: Swim Trunks for Men
- Buy Recycled: Swimsuits for Women
- Buy Recycled: Leggings & Activewear
- Buy Recycled: Shoes
- Buy Recycled: Dog Products
Or head over to our Buy Recycled Guides Page to find more.
