Alchemy Goods
Cycle, then recycle
Who They Are
In Seattle in the summer of 2003, product engineer and avid biker Eli Reich had his messenger bag stolen. Instead of purchasing a new one, he decided to try his hand at creating a bag out of a material that he happened to have a lot of: used bicycle inner tubes. Eli’s bag was durable, water-resistant and stylish, and quickly gained attention from friends and, soon after, local companies.
Alchemy Goods began small in the local Seattle area, but they quickly found their way into REI. Soon after, they started running low on bicycle tubes and had to reach out to bike shops all across the US to keep up with demand. Today, over 550 shops are involved in Alchemy Goods' recycling program!
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Why We Like Them
Alchemy Goods is a huge proponent for upcycling, and they take pride in their ability to create something valuable out of materials that are seemingly useless. Since their birth in 2004, Alchemy Goods has kept over 425,000 bike tubes out of landfills. They don’t do it all on their own, though. Alchemy Goods empowers both bike shops and individuals to make a difference by donating their used bike tubing to be put towards a greater purpose.
We love their attention to the repurposing side of sustainability. It’s a creative way to divert waste while creating products with great origin stories! Their business model is built on sustainable actions, and they create positive social and economic impact as well. As the amount of tubes collected increases, more jobs are created, and more eco-friendly products are produced.
Alchemy Goods is B-Corp certified, meaning the company meets rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. They also have gold level status with the Colorado Environmental Leadership Program.
Inspired by necessity, innovation and creativity, Alchemy Goods strives to provide consumers with products that embody their values and create positive impact.
Handmade
Vegan
B Corp
Upcycled Rubber
Made in the USA
Upcycled Vinyl
Upcycled Nylon
We support small businesses and craftspeople who create each of their products with care. Handmade products are generally produced on a small scale, without the use of large energy consuming factories and production facilities. Buying handmade helps support art, communities, and people’s livelihoods.
This product does not contain any animal products or byproducts, and has not been tested on animals.
The B Lab is a third-party, non-profit organization that certifies companies as socially and environmentally responsible. B Corps are businesses that go above and beyond traditional business models and aim to create positive change in the world through their practices. These companies must meet rigorous transparency and accountablity standards, while doing what is best for people and the environment.
Upcycled rubber can be salvaged from items like bicycle inner tubes or truck tires to make new products. The rubber is cleaned, cut, and sewn into new shapes to form durable and water resistant items like bags, wallets, and belts. Upcycling rubber tires can free up space in landfills and prevent chemicals from leaching into the ground when tires are disposed of. Recycling rubber lowers greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the amount of energy used and resources extracted create new rubber products, as most rubber products are synthetic and petroleum based.
This product was made in the United States. Buying locally made items helps to reduce harmful emissions that result from transportation during and after the production process. Purchasing products made in the United States also ensures that the items are produced in ways that meet strict safety and labor standards.
Upcycling vinyl salvages pre- and post- consumer scraps and repurposes them into new products! By upcycling vinyl products, companies are extending the life of the durable material. Banners, tarps, and even vinyl jeep tops can be repurposed into unique, waterproof, and long-lasting products!
Upcycled nylon salvages pre- and post-consumer fabric scraps and reuses them in new designs. Upcycling nylon prevents the need for new textiles to be produced, and extends the valuable life cycle of existing fabric scraps, rather than sending them to the landfill. Plus, it maintains the original structure of the nylon, so it eliminates extra energy that would otherwise be needed to break down or respin the fibers into new yarn.
