Luggage firm transforms rubber dinghies and lilos into designer bags

Luggage firm transforms rubber dinghies and lilos dumped on a picturesque Dorset beach into designer bags as part of a National Trust conservation scheme

  • The conservation project is hoped to reduce the 1.2 million tonnes of plastics dumped on UK landfill sites
  • The National Trust teamed up with online luggage manufacturer Wyatt & Jack for the innovative project
  • National Trust ranger Mollie Gadd was inspired to act after seeing families discard inflatables on the beach

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Rubber dinghies and lilos left on the beach in the summer have been transformed into designer luggage thanks to a new conservation scheme.

The National Trust has teamed up with online luggage manufacturer Wyatt & Jack on the project, which sees items discarded on Studland Beach in Dorset transformed into luxury baggage.

It is hoped the initiative, which was created by National Trust beach ranger Mollie Gadd, will reduce the 1.2 million tonnes of plastics dumped into UK landfill sites each year. 

This handbag was created using rubber dinghies and lilos left by holiday makers on Studland Beach in Dorset. The innovative conservation scheme transforms the waster into designer luggage

This shark bag was create using salvaged inflatables and beach toys

The National Trust teamed up with online luggage manufacturer Wyatt & Jack for the innovative conservation sheme

These fashionable bags were made from salvaged inflatables and beach toys in Dorset. The National Trust teamed up with online luggage manufacturer Wyatt & Jack to carry out the project

Discarded items discarded on Studland Beach in Dorset have now been transformed into luxury baggage- such as this multi-coloured angel wing bag

Discarded items discarded on Studland Beach in Dorset have now been transformed into luxury baggage- such as this multi-coloured angel wing bag

She was inspired to act after seeing families blowing up brand new inflatables on Studland beach only to find the same toys left behind at the end of the day.

She said: ‘They end up as one giant piece of single use plastic.

‘A single use coffee cup is bad, but a single use inflatable is awful.’

Wyatt & Jack specialise in taking inflatables and turning them into bags.

Now a selection of their luggage has gone on sale at a National Trust shop close to Studland Beach.

The scheme was created by Mollie Gadd (pictured with the newly recycled bags), a National Trust beach ranger, who contacted Wyatt & Jack, with her proposal

The scheme was created by Mollie Gadd (pictured with the newly recycled bags), a National Trust beach ranger, who contacted Wyatt & Jack, with her proposal

With 1.2 million tonnes of plastics dumped into UK landfill sites each year it is hoped the initiative will make a difference to the growing problem

Ms Gadd decided to begin the project after witnessing  families discarding brand new inflatables on arrival to Studland Beach ........'The scheme is just one of the ways the National Trust is fighting back against litter at Studland Bay, a popular spot for family beach days in summer as well as a national nature reserve.'

Ms Gadd decided to begin the project after witnessing families discarding brand new inflatables on arrival to Studland Beach ……..’The scheme is just one of the ways the National Trust is fighting back against litter at Studland Bay, a popular spot for family beach days in summer as well as a national nature reserve.’

Also on sale at the National Trust shop close to Studland Beach are pencil cases that come in an array of colours. The shop display highlights the unique story of the products so that buyers can understand the history of the recycled items 

Also on sale at the National Trust shop close to Studland Beach are pencil cases that come in an array of colours. The shop display highlights the unique story of the products so that buyers can understand the history of the recycled items 

Also on sale at the National Trust shop are small zipped pouch bags for £16 and tote bags priced up to £50. A National Trust spokesman said: 'Around 50 inflatables were reused in this way after the scheme began in August, and Mollie hopes many more will follow in years to come'

Also on sale at the National Trust shop are small zipped pouch bags for £16 and tote bags priced up to £50. A National Trust spokesman said: ‘Around 50 inflatables were reused in this way after the scheme began in August, and Mollie hopes many more will follow in years to come’

The sandy Studland Beach in Dorset is a popular tourist attraction in England owned and managed by The National Trust

The sandy Studland Beach in Dorset is a popular tourist attraction in England owned and managed by The National Trust

The items range from small zipped pouch bags for £16 to tote bags priced up to £50 and large fully waterproof rucksacks at £70.

A National Trust spokesman said: ‘With bright colours and fun designs, each item proudly displays its origins by incorporating elements like dinghy rowlocks and inflation valves, while the shop display highlights their unique story.

‘All profits from their sale will be used to support the work of the National Trust – just like everything else sold by trust shops.

‘Around 50 inflatables were reused in this way after the scheme began in August, and Mollie hopes many more will follow in years to come.”

‘The scheme is just one of the ways the National Trust is fighting back against litter at Studland Bay, a popular spot for family beach days in summer as well as a national nature reserve.’

 

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