5 ‘Haute’ Eco Accessories

We are always down for a good reuse project, but we love it even more when that thrifty idea turns into a stylish something that catches everyone’s attention at a cocktail party (is that really made from an old zipper?).

Recycled fashion doesn’t have to look like a high school art project, and creating clothing and accessories from trash is no longer just a challenge for Project Runway contestants.

McTega's designs are feature rocky, chunky looks in eye-catching colors and fresh shapes. Photo: McTega

In fact, last September’s New York Fashion Week proved recycled plastics are not only stylish, but they’re actually wearable. Combine that with the idea that we are sending more than 70 percent of plastics to landfills, and you have a solid case for splurging on recycled jewels and accessories.

Here are five cool designs that we’d be happy to wear.

McTega high-end jewels

McTega designs are not craft projects – they’re scientific creations. Using techniques of industrial chemistry, Sarah McLellan and Kristina Ortega’s Los Angeles based jewelry line is remarkable.

“It’s about our science backgrounds. We both majored in science disciplines until our junior year of college before deciding to study fashion,” the duo told Cool Hunting in 2008. “Even though we decided to pursue fashion, science still shapes the way we think and design.”

Their collection includes chunky pieces made from recycled resin. The duo has received praise in the fashion world for their work, and even gained the attention of GenArt when they competed in a series of events showcasing the creative use of plastics in fashion design and the ways in which designers are applying them to today’s trends.

You can now find their designs at Barneys New York. Prices range from $92 to $325.

This Rebecca Crawford design features flowers made from plastic bottles. The necklace also has a matching bracelet and can be ordered in white as well.

Spacefruit recycled plastic necklace

Spacefruit’s Rebecca Crawford uses plastic bottles she finds on the beaches as well as from a local recycling center to create funky necklaces.

Each shape is cut individually by hand, so no two necklaces turn out the same. Colors will vary, and almost any combination is possible. (Crawford notes, however, that purple is hard to find.)

“I also like my jewelry to respond in some way to being worn, usually by tinkling or catching the light as it moves, or by being tactile so drawing the wearer to touch it,” Crawford writes.

“I think this is especially important with necklaces as we can’t see them when were wearing them! Mostly I make jewelry I’d like to wear myself.”

You can order bracelets, necklaces and earrings for a complete match. For each sale of these items, Crawford donates a percentage to Surfers Against Sewage.

Kumvana Gomani jewelry

Kumvana Gomani’s designs are made from trash she found in her own kitchen.

Gomani's designs feature nature-inspired patterns made from recycled plastic materials. Photo: Kumvana Gomani Design

According to Inhabitat, the designer cleans and cuts the washed plastic material into tiny snow flakes and leaf shapes that are then drilled with holes for their loops, hooks or necklace chains, resulting in a delicate and elegant frosted look.

Gomani attributes her creative design edge to her dual nationality – she was born in Toronto and raised in Malawi. Her studio is also known for its interest in less commercial activities.

Gomani has taken part in numerous activities aiming at improving the design and the environment. Among these initiatives is Ubuntu At Work, a collaboration training for women in the slums of Bangalori, India to create accessories out of everyday trash.

“There are a few ground rules the studio aims to abide by,” Gomani says. “Always start from scratch. Everything is possible until the opposite has been proven. There must be a good reason for every single decision made.”

Lightweight bracelet is made from recycled soda bottles. Photo: Etsy/ArtworkbyKD

Soda bottle bracelet

Etsy is a virtual frenzy for reuse junkies. But because it’s now more mainstream (sorry hipsters), it can be tough to find those gems and baubles that really fit your style.

But after some digging (and a little help from Rachel Sarnoff over at EcoStiletto), we found some really cool stuff.

Made by Etsy user ArtworkbyKD, this funky bracelet was made out of a 2-liter soda bottle. Each circle was carefully cut out by hand.

Measuring at 8 inches in length, each circle (six in all) is 1 1/4 inches wide, features a lobster claw clasp and has a price tag of just $11.

Vintage vinyl record bracelet

While the rest of the items on this list are accessories that you can buy, this nifty idea from Tresijas on Dabbled is something you can actually make. It will require a crafty hand, but it’s the best reuse idea we’ve ever seen for old 45s.

Still stashing those old records for a rainy day? Break them out and get to crafting!

What you’ll need: Toaster oven with tray, an old pair of scissors, stretchy gloves (to protect from heat), record album, low-grit sand paper, bracelet mandrel or other cylindrical object (a soda can or skinny glass bottle will work, too)

How to make it:
1. Heat toaster oven to about 150-200 degrees.

2. Place the record in the oven for a minute or two, if the record doesn’t “relax” (see photo on original post), turn up the heat every few minutes. If the record starts to melt or have a strong odor, the temp is too high.

3. Once the record relaxes, put your gloves on, have your scissors ready, and remove it from the oven. Quickly cut about a 5 1/2 inch strip from the record.

4. Once you have cut the strip to your satisfaction, use the sand paper to take off any sharp edges. It helps to wet the sandpaper first.

5. Place the strip back in the toaster and wait for it to relax. Have your mandrel ready.

6. Once the strip is ready – with gloves on – remove it and quickly wrap it around your mandrel. Hold it there until it cools (about 15 seconds).

Tada! You now have your own rad recycled accessory. We give you extra points on your eco cred report.

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Earth911 partners with many industries, manufacturers and organizations to support its Recycling Directory, the largest in the nation, which is provided to consumers at no cost. The American Chemistry Council is one of these partners.