Pet Project

Are you distressed by the fact that your pet's extra hair goes to waste? I'll admit it's unlikely, even for the greenest among us. And yet, innovator Catty Shack Creations has solved this vexing problem that we didn't even know we had! Your cat's or dog's hair, collected by groomers with kits available from the web site, can be washed, carded, spun by hand, knitted, felted and otherwise recycled into beautiful and truly unique handbags like the ones pictured here. Many different sizes and styles of bag are available, ranging from about $50 to $300. Not quite the cat's pajamas, but very, very close.

What's Your Bag?

Whether you're looking for a great recycled gift or a cruelty-free purse or bag for yourself, check out the stylish offerings at English Retreads. Company founder Heather English got the idea for her line of products while she was floating on an inner tube and thinking about the scarcity of vegetarian handbags. Since then, she's been expanding the enterprise with new products and talented collaborators. Today, English Retreads offers a variety of purses, messenger bags, and other accessories, all made from used inner tubes collected at truck stops. Each product is totally unique, hand-crafted, and comes with a generous maintenance guarantee. The company is also committed to sustainability in other areas, such as offsetting its carbon emissions. English Retreads' contributions in this area have been recognized as part of Co-op America's Green Business Network.