Landfill Dzine generated some major high fives with the Women Who WOW crew.  One, they were green.  Two, they were stylish.  Three, the couple behind these amazing products are BOLD.  And you know we love that.

Heather Carpenter and her husband say creating and designing accessories has never been a motivating factor for their recycling business. Oh no… it’s their commitment to our planet keeping them awake at night.

For the past eight years, they have helped farmers and companies in the agricultural industry with their recycling needs.  In the agricultural industry, “lay flat irrigation hose” is a huge problem because it cannot be recycled.

So… they recycled the un-recyclable, designing “trash” into “trendy” with an upcycled line of purses, flip-flops, belts, and more, incorporating this lay flat material into each product. Currently, their recycling company has accepted millions of pounds of this material which is processed on site.

By allowing customers to purchase products that are useful to them with the knowledge that they are also doing their part to keep the earth safe for future generations, Landfill Dzine is a company making a difference.  They have been grateful to be able to do their part in recycling for years and now they can share a part of that feeling of gratitude to their customers. Their slogan?

“Saving the planet one Dzine at a time.”

The biggest lesson Heather and her husband have learned  in business is how to receive and navigate discouraging feedback.  (For instance, they were told that “nobody” could sew the heavy material of this lay flat material.)  They knew that this idea could boost their business as well and create a new paradigm in the recycling industry, so they kept at it. Finally, they convinced three manufacturers; two in China, and one in Vietnam, to help them through a fair trade agreement.

The handmade bamboo bags are a little different — which we love —  just like the women whose lives are impacted by making the bags and creating  a boost in their income… which we love even more.  Landfill Dzine had officially turned trash into trendy, finally answering the need for a way to upcycle lay flat tubing. Truly dedicated to their cause, they began finding new purposes such as flip-flops, belts, and bracelets. Their journey of repurpose had found its way.

Their advice for other small business owners:  Never take “No” for an answer!