English Retreads
Encyclopedia
English Retreads is an eco-fashion company that makes handbags and accessories from recycled materials. The company is known for its products that are all low environmental impact, vegan, and handcrafted in Boulder, Colorado
. English Retreads offers handbags, wallets, belts, laptop bags and key chains all made from recycled materials, primarily reclaimed rubber and recycled PETE
(plastic bottle) material.
. While floating down Boulder Creek
on an old inner tube, English was struck with the idea to create a non-leather handbag from her rubber inner tube to fulfill her need for a sustainable and fashionable product. Since then, English has expanded the English Retreads line to include vintage rubber messenger bags, wallets, belts, dog collars and key chains. Truck stops throughout the Boulder area supply English Retreads with the used inner tubes—each of which probably has more than 60,000 miles on it before it gets reinvented.
The latest line, "Luxe", uses the rubber inner tubes for the product exterior and colorful PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) material lining for the interior. The PET material is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. The latest handbag to the collection uses the PET material on the outside with accents of the inner tube rubber. The handbags come in a variety of shapes and sizes, small enough for a clutch and large enough as a tote.
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
. English Retreads offers handbags, wallets, belts, laptop bags and key chains all made from recycled materials, primarily reclaimed rubber and recycled PETE
Pete
Pete is a diminutive from Peter. It may refer to:-Athletics:* The Pete, Petersen Events Center, athletics complex and basketball arena on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh* Pete the Penguin, mascot of Youngstown State University...
(plastic bottle) material.
History
English Retreads began in 2001 by designer Heather English in the basement of her home in Nederland, ColoradoNederland, Colorado
The Town of Nederland is a Statutory Town established in 1885 located near the Continental Divide and Barker Meadow Reservoir in the mountains of southwest Boulder County, Colorado....
. While floating down Boulder Creek
Boulder Creek
Boulder Creek may be:*A community:**Boulder Creek, California*One of several streams:**Boulder Creek in Santa Cruz County**Boulder Creek in San Diego County**Boulder Creek **Boulder Creek...
on an old inner tube, English was struck with the idea to create a non-leather handbag from her rubber inner tube to fulfill her need for a sustainable and fashionable product. Since then, English has expanded the English Retreads line to include vintage rubber messenger bags, wallets, belts, dog collars and key chains. Truck stops throughout the Boulder area supply English Retreads with the used inner tubes—each of which probably has more than 60,000 miles on it before it gets reinvented.
Collections
Typically, English Retreads are made completely from reclaimed rubber inner tubes. The products come from trucks and tractors. The rubber is cut, washed, dried, and buffed in order to prepare for resale. It is then cut into specific patterns to form the handbags.The latest line, "Luxe", uses the rubber inner tubes for the product exterior and colorful PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) material lining for the interior. The PET material is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. The latest handbag to the collection uses the PET material on the outside with accents of the inner tube rubber. The handbags come in a variety of shapes and sizes, small enough for a clutch and large enough as a tote.