What do you do with the large amount of leftover fabric from the production of airbags? Subaru and Toyoda Gosei answer this question by creating a sustainable and durable bag made of airbag fabric remnants.
The “Subaru x Re-S Upcycled Marche Bag” is produced in Japan by Toyoda Gosei using scraps of unused fabric. If you follow the news you’ll probably remember that the same company recently helped sportswear brand Asics make running shoes from airbag fabric.
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The unusual material is a good fit for a reusable shopping bag as it shows “excellent durability” and is resistant to heat and water. The “Marché bag” measures 550 mm (21.7 inches) tall, 340 mm (13.4 inches) wide, and 120 mm (4.7 inches) deep, but it can be neatly folded so it fits inside your pocket. Subaru says it can fit a full-size towel and other items thanks to the large opening.
The fabric has a light blue shade and can be combined with either blue or red/pink stripes on the handle adding a touch of personalization. Furthermore, there is a patch of reflective material between the stripes, making it safer for users to go out at night. Of course, the product wouldn’t be complete without the Subaru emblem on the label. Unfortunately for fans of the Japanese brand, it doesn’t come in STi flavor.
The eco-friendly “Marché bag” is already available to purchase from the official Subaru Online Shop, at a price of ¥2,750 ($20) each including taxes. The Subaru-branded item is part of Toyoda Gosei’s Re-S line of sustainable products. The company says that its factory in the Gifu Prefecture is accessible to people with disabilities.