As a small recycling company, Used Rubber USA thinks of quality in a unique way. Most goods these days are mass-produced and have a planned obsolescence. Such things are designed to wear out or become outdated to insure their replacement by a future product. Our philosophy is exactly the opposite: Used Rubber USA products are designed to last as long as possible. We want to keep that rubber out of the landfill! While we use the most durable materials and methods we can in order to minimize the need for repairs, we will attempt to repair any of our products for as long as they exist. Some things we can do for free, others involve a small charge for parts & labor & return shipping. We do not make a profit from repairs. We consider them a service to and an investment in our customers. We rarely advertise -- our business comes through loyalty and customer referrals. The best advertising in the world is good service and happy customers.       Our products are cruelty-free and vegan; there are no animal products in Used Rubber USA goods. Our materials and manufacturing methods are environmentally sound. We do not melt or process the rubber we work with; we simply wash the used inner tubes, cut them up, and rivet or sew them back together in more useful forms. This is called reuse. Reuse is the most environmentally sound form of manufacture because there are no chemical by-products and very little energy expenditure (utilization of fossil fuels, etc.) is necessary. We use sound labor practices. All of our products are manufactured by hand in the USA. The owner supervises all the cleaning, riveting, and heavy manufacture herself. The industrial seamstress we work with meets all regulations and runs her shop well above industry standards. We know her personally and have been to the shop many times. Awareness of labor practices is not very high for many Americans, though this has begun to change. Sometimes people ask us why our work isn't cheaper, since the basic material is so cheap. What you pay for in a Used Rubber USA product is labor; the ethically and environmentally sound, quality manufacturing we invest in order to transform worthless and environmentally threatening trash into stylish, functional accessories whose second life may be longer than their first. Defining and refining a balance between artistry, business, and education has always been the owner’s primary goal. She has directed an approach different from most design studios. Instead of patenting and privatizing all of her rubber design work, she has taken great interest in inspiring other designers and artisans. Education has always played a significant role in her design work. Knowing that Used Rubber’s products alone could not make a dent in the current volumes of waste rubber, Mandana has created projects to promote and educate about recycling and design concepts crucial to material reuse.       Since we reuse the inner tubes directly without melting or processing, the rubber bears the markings of its first life. Some bags have tread patterns they pick up from the tire due to heat and pressure during their original use. Other bags may have text printed on them, or even tire patches. This makes each bag different and unusual. We create handsome, functional designs with simple yet striking shapes. We want to ensure that the aesthetic aging of our bags is as graceful as the physical aging. The combination of classic form and modern materials make our work unique. We are proud of our company's ethics. The principles behind the products are as gorgeous, durable and stylish as the products themselves. Questions about our store? Contact us!