Recycled fabric used to craft “tent bags”

Tent and awning fabricators such as Takada Soubi Co. Ltd., Gifu, Japan, can count on leftovers—bits and scraps of mesh, cotton and polyester that pile up and increase waste disposal costs. Company president Akihiro Kondo sent eight employees with sewing expertise on a mission to recycle the fabric. The results: 20 types of one-of-a-kind “tent bags” introduced in April on the company website for less than $75 each.

Tent bags made from exterior fabrics are water- and stain-resistant, durable, strong and UV resistant, while cotton scraps from tent liners lend themselves well to Japanese-style dye patterns. The company hopes consumers impressed with the rugged, attractive bags will consider the source and tap into Takada Soubi’s main product line.