Recycled Rubber from Tires, Ready-to-Assemble Bags by Modulab

This is not "green", not even close.
The recycled tire stock (if it actually comes from post-consumer stock, otherwise it isn't really recycled) still contains a wide variety of toxins from the original production of the synthetic (read: petro-based) rubber.
Additionally, the rubber is riveted to make the final shape. Rivets effectively make any product un-recyclable, because they are nearly impossible to disassemble (you need to grind the rivet head off).
Thus, this is not cradle-to-cradle design, and a far cry from sustainable. To hold this an example of good design is irresponsible on the part of TreeHugger. Maybe the article should be about how those designers are not good designers.
How about that?
Or would that actually take some understanding of sustainability and the courage to make some judgments?

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Note from writer:

Hi, thanks for your comment.
I don't understand well what's your critic though. You're talking about the dangers of the recycling process or you're saying that nobody should ever use recycled rubber because it's still petrol-based rubber?
About the rivets, they're not.
On the "irresponsibility of TreeHugger", this is a blog produced by dozens of writers, it's impossible for us all to agree with everything everyone posts, so it's not that TreeHugger is irresponsible. At most, if I made a mistake it would be my bad.
Best,
Paula

Open you mind a little bit, please whoever wrote that first post! If nothing else it is showing the possibilities in intelligent, modular design even if the material they are using does not conform to the 'cradle-to-cradle' concept.

To whoever wrote the first post... open your mind a little bit, this is a great example of intelligent design and the possibilities of saving energy as part of the manufacturing process. Even if the material does not conform to the cradle-to-cradle concept it is certainly a step in the right direction from a design perspective. Remember designers dont invent new materials to work with they are limited to what is out there already and have to creatively problem solve through design.
I guess theres always someone who likes to play devils advocate and critise rather than see potential.

I like that you can put it together at home, but it doesn't look like it's post consumer or post industrial, maybe scrap, which is fine too. To the 1st poster: You can always cut the rivets off, but is this material recyclable anyway? The bag should last long enough to be it's final purpose.
True cradle-to-cradle design

We at Modulab gladly accept the challenge of designing for such informed customers,but some things must be clarified:
The rubber we use is 100% recycled,three different companies work in the process,one recollects and stores the disposed tires,the second one chips and separates the metal mesh and the fabric from the tire to obtain the rubber,and the third one revulcanizes the rubber in the form of sheets,to question the veracity of a process in wich even the Chilean government fundings are involved for free and anonymaously is at least irresponsible.
The main innovation of the RTA collection is the fact there are almost no processes involved to build the bag,no energy to power sewing machines,absolutely no glue and the most important innovative approach is the fact that a lot of space is saved in shipping,saving in fuel costs.
If you add all the above to the new experience of building your own bag “with out any specific tool or machine” we think we achieved an innovative green product.
Best regards
Felipe Ferrer
MODULAB

I'm a fanatic of handbags and last year for Christmas, I bought the girls in my family all a "FEED" bag... this would be a great follow up gift for this year. Looking good while doing something good.

To the critic: Remember, these tires already exist. They can fill landfills, or be recycled into an innovative product. In the big picture, I'll take the Modulab bags!

Wow, I think this is great. These bags look nothing like your typical recycled/reusable totes. Bravo to Modulab for giving us another option and keeping it interesting. Not everyone wants to carry around a cotton tote or "vegan" plastic bags (how good can those be for the environment in terms of production and materials??).

I think this company should be carried by ReusableBags.com.... my favorite site for bags of all kinds. And they're having a huge summer sale right now!!

First, recycling car tires this far up the material processing chain is very energy intensive. Breaking down and remelting the tire rubber and re-extruding takes a massive amount of energy that releases all sorts of toxins stored in the tires.
In fact, the only savings you might see is the transport of refuse from petroleum cracking to the tire facility. I would be willing to bet my lunch this is offset by the amount of energy used to transport the tires to the recycling center and tearing them apart.

Not all recycling is an energy savings. That is why you need to DESIGN FOR RECYCLING. Something this product DOES NOT DO.

The best use of car tire rubber is to chop it up and use it in roads or somewhere else.
Or don't drive cars and use tires.

To the individual that said "open your mind," try taking a stand that the only good design is great design. Being "open" does not mean not passing judgment. I am sure you pass judgment on George Bush and his policies. Pass judgment on this. That is what the world needs.

This is OK design. A neat idea. I definitely respect that. But TreeHugger needs to step it up in terms of vetting these type of ideas. Or get people who know a bit more about these processes to write the articles. Sorry to be harsh.

The world needs people (especially the people who have a platform to speak, such as TreeHugger) to understand sustainability. If you don't know, learn.

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NOTE FROM WRITER:
I think you're being a little rude with your words, but I'm not going to focus on that.

I did say in the post that the process of recycling takes energy, but the fact that they're recovering a material that is not usually recovered I thought was more interesting.

Yes, it's probably not the best product in the world, but it's an idea I thought was interesting to share.

I accept all opinions on what I write about, and TreeHugger is not only a place to feature products that are pristine green, but also a place to discuss things in the making and ideas. I hope we can get to a point where everything in the green world is flawless.

I hope in your life you have the same attitude towards everything that you showed in this comment. I hope you do not use anything from rubber, drive or use buses or taxis, and any other products derived from petrol. It's really respectable if you don't.

But if you do, I hope you can find a better way than this of not letting things like the tires of the vehicles you use get to a landfill. If you do, let us know.

Best,
Paula

OK.
Now I feel a bit bad.
Just include some of the drawbacks to the design in future articles.
I come to TreeHugger all the time, it is a great source of inspiration and knowledge. But I always see this type of reporting. It is basically advertising for these companies. It reminds me of oil company propaganda, only "less bad" for the environment.
I understand the intentions are good, but unless there is a balance to rhetoric, it is just propaganda.

It is a shame. TreeHugger is so close to being great.

Good luck with your work ModuLab, you really are doing good work... It could be better, that's all.

To writer, keep on finding these good designs... I'd like to see more analysis.

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FROM WRITER:
This is a much better attitude, thanks for letting me know you're not a rude person.

This is not at all advertising for that company. I do not have any relationship with them and didn't get any product in exchange. I just thought it was a good idea, and from my perspective keeping things like tires out of the trash is crucial: garbage management is one of Latin America's biggest problems.

However, writers are not perfect. Neither of us. As I said before, I do accept all critics so you're welcome to mention your concerns and I'll try to incorporate them into my knowledge. But I think you need to modulate your tone. Saying the previous in this attitude would have saved both of us a little tension.

cheers,
Paula

Dear Sirs,
Our company based in Mexico City has the possibility to export to the U S recycled rubber of used tires free of steel materials, metals and fibers.
Please let us know the quantities you are looking for in order for us to quote you back.
Sincerely
Jorge Litwak
Commercial Director
Mexico City