Vy&Elle- Saving Our Planet, One Billboard at a Time

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I still remember the day I bought my Vy&Elle bi-fold wallet. It was an important day in my life. Up until that moment, I’d been sporting some horribly old Tab wallet I bought in New York while visiting with my boyfriend after I moved to Minnesota. It had been cute at first, sort of, but by this point, it was falling apart and  ridiculously dirty. (I tend to spend money on more important items, like, dresses and boots. Sorry mom.) The state of my wallet was embarrassing me. Paying for anything where my wallet was in plain sight was rather horrifying. I was in a continual state of hope- hoping that no one would notice my sad excuse for a wallet. Thankfully, around this time, Eco-Tique started selling some pretty amazing wallets from Vy&Elle. When I opened the box the merchandise arrived in, with colors and graphics to swoon over, I gazed at the masterpiece in front of me, knowing I’d been saved.

In 2002, Nicola Freegard and Robin Janson began Vy&Elle with a philosophy that includes the vision of renewal through reclaimed resources. Their goal is to educate through recycling, contribute through community involvement and assist businesses and customers in making more environmentally conscious choices. In order to achieve their goals and follow their philosophy, the company, among many other things, talk to children in classrooms about recycling and donates towards AIDS and cancer research.

That being said, their product itself is as incredible as the company’s beliefs. Their bags, wallets, baby packs, ipod cases, picnic boxes, the list goes on…are all made from completely recycled products, the majority being a billboard. That’s right, the enormous flashy signs on the side of the road. Did you know after their short life of influencing our minds to turn here, buy this, or eat that, they get tossed into landmines and create toxic pollution? Vy&Elle is saving our planet, one billboard at a time. Since 2002, they have recycled over 100 tons of billboards into one-of-a-kind modern and hip accessories.

My personal favorite fact about Vy&Elle is what they do with their scrap and waste materials! After production, they give all of their unused material to another manufacturer who reuses it for garden hoses and flooring. Brilliant.

Oh, and just so you know, I no longer hide my wallet from curious eyes. I receive compliment after glorious compliment about how unique my wallet is. When I mention what it’s made from? Amazement.

Images Credit: Vy&Elle