Recycling is critical to reducing waste and preserving our planet. You may be familiar with products that are commonly made from recycled materials, such as paper and packaging. But did you know that recycled materials are now being used to make awesome, unexpected products?

Litter and waste are everywhere, from the roadside to the open ocean water. Reducing garbage while creating great products is the new aim for many manufacturers.

Do you want to know more about trash becoming treasure? Check out these eight amazing things made from recycled materials.

1. Adidas Parley Shoes

It’s no secret that the ocean is being bombarded by trash. Plastic is especially detrimental, as it takes many years to decompose. Eco-friendly products are still not as common as they should be.

It’s estimated that around $14 billion pounds of trash are dumped into the ocean annually. Most of this is plastic.

Parley for the Oceans is an environmental organization dedicated to helping stop plastic pollution of the ocean. They have partnered with Adidas to create stylish, high-performance shoes that are made from plastic debris found on beaches and in the ocean.

The goal is to eventually phase out the use of virgin plastic in the manufacture of most products. These shoes are a great start, combining purpose and fashion to reduce plastic waste.

2. Simply Solid Swimsuits

It’s not only consumer trash that litters the ocean. Nylon fishing nets are everywhere and present a threat to ocean life. They take a long time to degrade and can entangle marine animals and birds. It’s also dangerous to swimmers and divers, as it’s hard to see.

So what’s the solution to this huge problem? Swimsuits!

These harmful nets are recovered and made into yarn by Aquafil, an Italian yarn maker. The yarn, Econyl, is used by a popular apparel company named Volcom to make the Simply Solid swimsuit collection.

Volcom has transformed these ocean hazards into a stylish array of swimwear. Unbelievably, old nets and discarded nylon become beautiful summer styles thanks to the dedication of a few great companies.

3. Home Decor Made From Cork

Used corks from wine bottles aren’t destined for the trash or an arts and crafts project. Many companies are using this biodegradable, natural bark tissue from the cork oak to make warm, eco-friendly decor and home accessories.

Lightweight cork might surprise you in its versatility. It can be used for nearly any application, whether thick and sturdy or thin and flexible.

From lampshades to bags to stools, cork products are beautiful and eco-aware. Companies like WidgetCo offer a huge array of such products. Beyond decor, some of their products are more about function, providing products like quiet underlayment for floors and fun, pin-friendly tiles for walls.

4. Green Toys

Do you ever wonder where all of those milk jugs go when they’re empty? Unfortunately most end up in the trash. One company has changed the fate of some of these jugs, however.

Green Toys make their charming children’s playthings out of one hundred percent recycled plastic milk jugs. Some of the products contain yogurt cup plastic as well.

Green Toys makes most of their toys with the classics in mind. They sell time-tested favorites like tea sets, tools, little vehicles, and watering cans. These adorable toys keep plastic out of the landfills and ocean while keeping the fun going.

5. Asphalt Roads

Spend a little time contemplating the beauty of the blacktop on your next road trip. Many asphalt manufacturers are including disposed roofing shingles in the manufacture of their product. The shingles are ground up and added to the pitch and gravel mixture to make better quality pavement.

In addition to the recycled shingles in the asphalt, highway markers themselves are made of recycled materials. Ground up recycled glass gives these markers their reflective quality for better visibility.

6. Bicycle Tube Backpacks

The Recover Brand BikeTube backpack is an innovative pack made from the recycled inner tubes of bicycle tires, recycled polyethylene terephthalate (RPET) mesh, and RPET fabric.

These backpacks are tough and waterproof. They look great and last. What’s more, they keep old tire parts and plastic out of landfills and in action.

7. Bicycles

Some bike companies have taken recycling to a whole new level by using recycled materials to construct their awesome bikes. These bikes are made using one or more of the following recycled materials:

• Paper
• Plastic
• Metal
• Polystyrene
• Rubber

While paper might sound like a terrible material to use when making a bike, the process ensures that it’s waterproof and tough. Bikes that are built primarily with this material are made of compressed paper that is polystyrene coated.

Tires for these recycled bikes are quite unique. Flat tires become a thing of the past as the combination of recycled rubber, plastic and paper creates a tire that requires no air. These materials absorb vibrations from the road, giving the bikes the smooth ride of a standard air-filled tire.

Some recycled bike manufacturers use recycled cork for handles, eliminating the need for extra plastic. To lessen the maintenance requirement, their chains are replaced with belts.

8. New Life For Old Vinyl

For broken, scratched, or unwanted records, the future could be a trash heap. But when Vinylux steps in to save the day, these tired old records take on an unexpected new life.

This amazing company molds old vinyl records into functional bowl shapes. The result is a fun and attractive food container. What could be better than listening to your favorite tunes while snacking from a bowl that once made music?

Other companies have put their own spin on old vinyl recycling. You can find purses, clocks, mirrors, and even new vinyl made from old records.

Using Recycled Materials for a Better Tomorrow

As you can see, recycled materials are nearly limitless in their potential. With innovative companies and future-minded individuals, the world will soon see a lot more upcycled products. These amazing items made from recycled materials will replace much of the need to use new materials.

To read more on business and innovation, feel free to explore our blog posts. If you have any questions, please contact me!