Things Made With Seat Belts

The green movement has not been lost on high-end retailers, some of whom now focus exclusively on using reclaimed materials for their products. One old item that has become all the rage for reuse is seatbelt webbing. Thanks to America's love affair with cars, we are all familiar with the strength of seatbelts. Seatbelt straps are also water resistant and available in a variety of colors. Consumers get more trendy eco-friendly options and a little less waste goes into landfills and incinerators.

Seatbelts are made from layers of polyester webbing. Webbing designed for the automotive industry can withstand as much as 6,000 lbs before breaking. Some retailers specialize in industry seconds or discards that failed to meet automobile standards for factors such as strength, color and width. Webbing comes in a variety of widths but is primarily available in 48 mm (1.89 inches).

Seatbelts can be woven into nearly indestructible bags. Fashion designers have created handbags, purses, diaper bags, wallets and other related items out seatbelts. According to the Orange County Register, the original seatbelt bag was the brainchild of California resident Dana Harvey, who made the first one for his wife. His idea has since caught on with other handbag makers in the United States and in Europe. Harvey's bags have been purchased by the likes of Britney Spears, Jessica Alba, Carnie Wilson, Angela Bassett, and Robert Downey Jr.

British company Ting, founded by designer Inghua Ting in 2000, creates bags and home accessories almost entirely out of recycled materials. Hammocks, pillows and storage cubes are all made from repurposed seatbelts and sold through retailers in Europe, the U.S. and Japan. As with handbags, these items are created using woven seatbelt straps.

Building materials and furniture are also natural benefactors of the green movement. Foodies, such as Chicago's former "Top Chef" contestant Eric Larson, are incorporating recycled and reclaimed materials into their spaces. Larson's new restaurant will have chairs made from old seatbelts. Seatbelt seating is not just for commercial spaces, however. Green-furnishings retail and design business Vivavi, based in North Carolina, sells loveseats made from seatbelts.

Try your hand at making your own furniture and accessories out of new or reclaimed seatbelts. You can cut them out of abandoned cars at salvage yards if automobile parts suppliers are too pricey or force you to buy in bulk. If your weaving skills aren't up to snuff or you do not feel comfortable constructing furniture, you can still make a fashion statement. Replace a broken or worn-out bag strap with a reclaimed seatbelt cut to size or add a buckle and wear a length of seatbelt as a belt for your pants, for example.

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