Seriously Cool Boots from Recycled Plastic Bags
by Paula Alvarado, Buenos Aires 
on 12.30.08
Photos: Guillermo Gomez via Dacca blog.
We've talked about plastic bags fusing before as a way to keep polyethylene bags going, and even pointed you to a tutorial to DIY, but so far we hadn't seen the material applied to footwear and in such an elegant way.
These boots are the work of Chilean industrial design student Camila Labra, and made mostly of recycled plastic bags. Keep reading to find out about the process, prices and more models.
The boots are built by fusing several layers of plastic polyethylene bags together to create a thicker and more resistant material to work with.
Their interior is covered with quilted piqué cotton fabric to make them more comfortable and prevent too much heat. According to the designer, the boots are impermeable, flexible, light and non toxic.
The line of boots is named Dacca (aka Dhaka) after Bangladesh's capital, one of the most polluted with plastic bags in the world (the bags were banned in that city since 2002).
Made after special orders, the boots are sold for 22,000 Chilean Pesos (45 USD).
Check more models below, links at the bottom of the post.
Via VeoVerde
More Great Green Design Coming from Chile:
Design with Waste from Print Industry, by Onceneto in Chile
Recycled Rubber from Tires, Ready-to-Assemble Bags by Modulab
Rodrigo Alonso's N+ew: A Design Piece and a Statement
Follow @TreeHugger on Twitter & get our headlines with @TH_rss!
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
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- What's the Big Deal with Forgetting Your Reusable Bags?
- Shocking Report Reveals Marine Litter Madness (Plus 10 Easy Ways to Help Save Our Oceans!)
- Recycled Plastic Workout Gear is Great for Fitness, Great for Planet
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those are so neat.
Zig
I must have them! How can I order a pair?
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FROM WRITER:
Hi Sarah, you can contact the designer via her blog (she has an e-mail published there). There's a link to her blog above, but it's:
http://botasdacca.blogspot.com/
Cheers
Its all about learning the facts about plastic bags and our environment. For more information visit www.thetruthaboutplasticbags.com
clear perspective:
as tree hugger promotes and most people who frequent this site would agree; disposable bags of any type are environmentally unfriendly. Plastic bags specifically are made with toxic chemicals, they don't degrade in a landfill, they are so prolific that they are a huge litter problem, and their only purpose is to last from the store to your house (that in itself makes it unsustainable). So, maybe its true that plastic is better than paper (I have my doubts) but both are bad. Use a canvas bag from the thrift store - you can't get much more sustainable than that and they won't break on the way to the car. DIsposable bags are not a necessary evil - I've gotten along fine without them for over a year.
Man are they ugly. Besides there's another choice. It's called bring your own bags.
Yea..
Its nice to see..
Is it practical to implement? all over the world.. at least in developing and undeveloped countries?
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FROM WRITER:
I think they can be implemented, plastic fusing is not difficult, not sure about the boot shape. I suggest you contact the designer if you're interested.
Cheers.
That is a very creative way to recycle and they look very fashionable at the same time. Totally awesome.
They do look like they should have a niche in the market. I'm just wondering if they're good enough to wear for a whole day since they probably aren't breathable.. ?
This makes me feel so proud of being Chilean =)