Looptworks, a Portland, Oregon-based company that works with companies to recycle and repurpose waste into new products is collaborating with Alaska Airlines to upcycle approximately 10,000 pounds of seat leather from Alaska’s sister carrier Horizon Air. The leather will be used to create the Carry-On Collection, which will include a wallet, laptop sleeve, tote, crossbody and messenger bag, all made with repurposed seat leather from Alaska’s sister carrier Horizon Air.
The collaborations will prevent the landfill disposal of 4,000 leather seat covers.
Horizon Air, the regional carrier for Alaska Airlines, replaces its seat covers periodically as a part of its maintenance procedures.
The cost to the environment from creating new materials outweighs the cost of cleaning and deconstructing each seat, according to Loopworks founder Scott Hamlin. One pound of leather requires 2,109 gallons of water to create.
“Looptworks’ collaboration with Alaska Airlines is a perfect example of how we’re pushing the boundaries of closed-loop business,” Hamlin says.
Looptworks has collaborated with Patagonia, Southwest Airlines and Langlitz Leathers on similar endeavors.
