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Been There, Now This!

With technological advances and plenty of eco-focused creative minds at work, recycling has officially been reinvented. From an innovative outerwear company that uses flowers instead of feathers to home goods made of salvaged wood from nearly demolished 19th-century Hungarian buildings, the opportunities are endless when it comes to recycling. Read on for a few recent finds that made us say “Wow. THAT’S recycled?!”

STORY BY KELLI LAMB ✷ PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAVID ENGELHARDT

Conscious Cashmere

$380 / toa.st

Is there anything better than a sumptuous cashmere sweater? Yes—one that’s made of recycled fibers! TOAST’s Italian spun recycled cashmere has a soft, slouchy fit that was made for fall.

Fancy Feet

 $145 / rothys.com

Rothy’s transforms plastic water bottles and marine plastic into a durable, flexible thread, then uses 3D knitting technology to shape each shoe with minimal waste. There’s no break-in period, so you can wear them all day long from day one. When the city grime builds up, toss ‘em in the wash!

Shear Genius

$58 / tartanblanketco.com

With wool fibers being too short to re-spin, The Tartan Blanket Co. got creative. They blend recycled wool with longer mixed fibers from landfills to create soft yet durable yarn. BONUS: Their blankets are machine washable!

Bling Ring

 $68 /  shopsoko.com

Kenyan artisans use recycled brass to make this modern take on a vintage style. The round-shaped, sculptural statement ring is great for special occasions and everyday wear alike.

Travel Light

 $70 / byhumankind.com

Just say no to wasteful hotel toiletries! The bag is made from post-consumer recycled bottles; the all-natural shampoo, conditioner, and deodorant come in bar form and are totally plastic free.

Fringe Benefits

 Starting at $39 / fabhabitat.com

The rug is pet friendly, stain resistant, GoodWeave certified, AND made entirely of recycled soda bottles. Because it’s made of plastic, it’s great both indoors and out.

Scrunch Bunch

 $6 / girlfriend.com

Girlfriend’s fashion-forward and functional workout gear is made from recycled water bottles. Their scrunchies are made from the scraps and each one keeps one water bottle out of landfills. From squats to Savasana, your hair stays in place!

Side Piece

$175 / atacamahome.com

This side table was designed with a vision of less in the landfill. In a colalaboration with Floyd, design studio Thing Thing uses plastic waste sourced from Detroit area toy and automotive factories. They sort each piece by hand, keeping the vibrant colors intact.

In the Bag

 $145 / mattandnat.com

Matt & Nat handbags are wildly popular with earth-conscious fashionistas, and for good reason. The vegan leather is lined with a pouch made of 100% recycled plastic bottles.

Glass Half Full

 $52 / newly.com

Handmade with 100% recycled glass by Spanish artisans, the Tavola Postre glasses are great for a nightcap or a sweet treat.

Back of the Pack

 $239 / huckberry.com

Recycled water bottles are an excellent foundation for this commuter-friendly backpack, making it water resistant and extra durable. With pockets for your laptop, passport, reusable water bottle, and keys, you can stay organized on the go.

Mug Shot

 $35 / huckberry.com

Carefully crafted from recycled glass and then dyed an amber hue, Huckberry’s mugs will bring ‘70s style to your morning java.

Under the Sea

 $129 / triwa.com

Ocean plastic gets new life with Triwa’s Time for Oceans collection. It pays homage to the sea with waves on the watch face and is, of course, water resistant.

Pretty Puffer

$398 / eileenfisher.com

Womenswear icon Eileen Fisher takes sustainable style up a notch with this cute and comfy coat. Made of 100% recycled nylon, it will be your go-to all season long.

Charge it Up

$100 /  gonimble.com

Not only is this handy charger made of recycled aluminum, the internal structure has plant-based bioplastics made from corn. No low-battery warnings here—you can quickly charge up to three devices on the go.

Bowled Over

 $150 / etuhome.com

etúHome sources all of their wood from nearly demolished 19th-century buildings in Hungary. Covered in a plant-based food-safe wax, you can use these one-of-a-kind dough bowls to serve family-style salads or corral citrus.

Boxy Basic

 $98 / lezethelabel.com 

The lush, cozy fabric on LEZÉ’s Athena sweater is derived from recycled fishnets. The flattering cut is office-appropriate, but the softer-than-soft texture was made for Saturday morning.

On The Chopping Block

 $95 / fredericksandmae.com

Fredericks and Mae takes all the leftovers from making solid color cutting boards and turns it into a party! Use this confettied cutting board for food prep or presentation.

Perky Palette

 $20 / us.upcirclebeauty.com

UpCircle upcycles coffee grounds from London cafes to create this hydrating, brightening serum. It’s rich in jojoba, sea buckthorn and rosehip oils to help boost collagen production while the antioxidant-rich coffee oil can help fade dark spots.

Super Bloom

 $550 / thepangaia.com

A cruelty-free alternative to traditional down…Pangaia’s puffers are filled with wildflowers. They call it FLWRDWN™ and the material is surprisingly warm. It’s fully biodegradable and is sourced from areas that contribute to habitat restoration. Good for you, good for the birds, and good for the planet.

Eco-Eyewear 

 $215 / dick-moby.com

We can see clearly now that Amsterdam’s Dick Moby is on the sunglass scene. Their specs are made from biodegradable and recycled materials, so you don’t have to choose between looking good and doing good.

Surf’s Up

 $195 / bureo.co

Made from recycled fishing nets, the Ahi performance cruiser skateboard by Bureo is designed to ride like a surfboard. Hang ten!

Espresso Yourself

 $109 / coalatree.com

Stay cute and cozy in Coalatree’s Evolution Hoodie. The water (and stain!) resistant fabric is actually made from old coffee grounds, and the smart design has plenty of pockets.