How Old Truck Tarps Become Designer Bags

Why would a designer want an old truck tarp covered in years of road wear? Used truck tarps can still be tough, distinctive and useful long after their original job is finished. Instead of throwing them away, companies can inspect, clean, cut and sew the material into bags and accessories with completely different second lives. In this video, we follow the journey from a retired truck tarp to a finished bag, see how the material is selected and processed, and explore why its scratches, colors and markings can actually become part of the product’s appeal. We also look at when a used tarp is worth saving, what work has to happen before it can be reused, and why not every piece of material makes the cut. Subscribe to Reclaim Atlas for more documentaries about the surprising second lives of products, materials and equipment.