Recycled clothes, jewelry and accessories are not only environmentally friendly, but they are often chic and stylish as well. Companies who manufacture recycled clothes often salvage raw materials from donated clothes. For example, the wool from an old sweater transforms into a pair of fashionable knit gloves. Other manufacturers create goods out of completely repurposed materials. Old gum wrappers, bottle labels and soda cans become the raw materials for stylish purses, handbags and wallets. Reusable tote bags made from recycled plastic or old fishing nets are a fashionable replacement for plastic grocery bags. One of the benefits of recycled clothes and accessories is that many manufacturers reuse materials that don't require processing through a recycling facility, a process that uses energy and produces carbon emissions.
Incorporating recycled items into your home is an earth-friendly way to create some personal style. Processing wood to make furniture uses up energy and resources, but some forward-thinking companies are scouring beaches for driftwood that can be reclaimed and repurposed into dining tables, coffee tables and floating shelves. Some manufacturers are developing chairs, beds and tables made from old or recycled cardboard. Recycled plastic bottles are also being used to create useful and decorative home items. Though recycled plastic serving ware is a predictable use for a recycled soda bottle, home textiles like curtains and rugs are also manufactured from recycled bottles.
Though expensive gems may be a status symbol, the process of mining and refining gems and metals is controversial and not environmentally friendly. Jewelry items are crafted from a wide range of recycled and repurposed materials. Recycled glass bottles are arranged by color so that artisan can craft earrings, necklaces and bracelets out of recycled glass beads. More dramatic and edgy jewelry items may be fashioned from tiny electronic chips or tubes from old, defunct televisions and computers. Tightly rolled pieces of recycled paper serve as beads for ecofriendly bracelets and necklaces, and aluminum cans are cut and sanded into stylish cuff bracelets.