USED RUBBER USA Story
The Original Inner Tube Bag. Established 1984
HANDCRAFTED BAGS, WALLETS and CASES
USED RUBBER USA pioneered the idea of transforming waste inner tubes into fashionable and durable products nearly 40 years ago. Since then we have been redefining the reuse of rubber and paving the way for others with our eco modern design, craft and education. As the first design company utilizing inner tube rubber in this way, communication was crucial and education and advocacy was integrated throughout. And sustainability concepts such as design for disassembly and design for repair were there from the very beginning. Our wallets, bags, and accessories are made in the USA from reclaimed inner tubes, a high quality industrial rubber. We work with waste truck, bicycle, motorcycle, and auto tubes. All of the rubber is post-consumer waste that we reclaim from the waste stream ourselves. The aluminum rivets on our bags look great won’t rust, last for ages and make it easy for us to undo and repair sections of your bag if needed.
For inquiries about USED RUBBER USA products: usedrubberusa@gmail.com
Born in Providence, RI, refined in San Francisco, CA, now in Maine.
Browse current products for purchase on the “Shop” page
BACK STORY
Used Rubber USA began in 1984 when I was a student at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. After spilling a bottle of ink in my leather backpack, I set out on a quest to make a bag impervious to stains and spills. While the initial prototypes and products that I created with my friend, classmate, and early business partner were inspired by the study of the Found Object art movement, I quickly became aware of the powerful positive environmental impact of this area of work and continued the business for 20 years in San Francisco. To manufacture quality products in an environmentally sound fashion and from sustainability focused materials has been my goal ever since those early days. Focusing on this goal in the late 80’s and early ‘90’s allowed me to pioneer the use of reclaimed inner tube rubber, reclaimed sailcloth, organic cotton, hemp and other materials.
Through my company I have also been able to educate countless individuals about the benefits of reuse and associated design opportunities. Used Rubber USA operated retail stores in San Francisco and Berkeley between 1989 and 2001 and a short term store in Taos, New Mexico. We created print catalogs from 1990-1997, and the products were available for wholesale distribution from 1985-2003. The online store went up in 1999. Since 2003, I have placed an emphasis on the educational component of my rubber related work teaching sustainability concepts and methodology through college and university courses and rubber recraft workshops.
As you can see, Used Rubber USA is an unusual company, both in what we make—recycled inner tube bags and wallets—and in how we choose to do business. Our goal is not only to create great products, but also to promote eco-smart design in the process. Our exposure in the press and the teaching that I have done at universities and design schools since the early 1990’s have inspired new ideas about recycling and reuse and we are proud to see so many designers and crafts people following our path breaking work.
Mandana MacPherson - Designer/Founder
PORTFOLIOS FROM THE ARCHIVES
UNDER RECONSTRUCTION — final portfolios coming soon
For the past two decades much of the focus of Used Rubber USA has been on education.
Through workshops and classes we have been able to advance sustainability in design and promote the acceptance of non traditional materials such as reclaimed inner tube rubber.
If you have questions or a story to share about your experiences with our products or materials please email us!