Bags made from car airbags: RE/MADE’s AIR collection
A car airbag is made to deploy once — and then it ends up as waste. The RE/MADE programme at the University of Washington asked its design students to give it a second life.
This year’s AIR collection, led by Professor Karen Cheng, includes two tote bags, a shoulder bag, an earbud pouch and zip cases. The airbags came from recycling centres in the US and Australia, and every part of them was put to use.
The best part? The designers didn’t hide where the material came from: the original stitching, deployment markings and inspection stamps stay visible, so every piece is one of a kind. Sales proceeds support the students who make them.
Why we like it
Airbag nylon is tough, light and water-resistant — perfect for bags. It’s a great example of how “technical” waste becomes an object with character when design starts from the material. In earlier years the same team worked with wall coverings and vinyl banners.
Source: University of Washington – School of Art + Art History + Design
