Argentine Artisan Crafts Durable Bags from Recycled Tyre Tubes

Silvia Marchissio, a 44-year-old artisan from Salto in Argentina, has built a career crafting durable bags, wallets, and other items from recycled tyre inner tubes and laminated paper. Originally trained in law, she discovered her passion for hands-on creation after moving to the capital and exploring craft fairs.

Her products stand out for their longevity. Wallets made from treated paper can last up to 10 years, depending on use, while bags—particularly a popular trapezoid design—are built to endure. Instead of zippers, which break easily, she uses handmade clasps. "The goal is for them to last," she says.

The choice of materials came naturally. Growing up in rural Argentina, she saw tyres repurposed as planters. When starting her bag line, she sourced inner tubes from tourist buses through a friend. Today, her philosophy drives the work: avoid exhausting resources and promote responsible consumption. "We're used to consuming endlessly—we don't need so many things," she notes. Her own home is furnished with items scavenged from the street, and she offers repairs to extend product life.

At markets, customers often admire the pieces but pass if they don't need them—a reaction she loves. Sales never stop the cycle of production and vending, though balancing it with family life proves toughest. Marchissio and her partner run the business together, raising an eight-year-old daughter with special needs who requires intensive therapies and stimulation. Without nearby family, they rely on a close-knit circle of friends for support.

The rewards come from reactions: people stare in amazement, eyes widening at the creations born from waste. "It's gratifying to give new life to what was headed for the bin," she says. For Marchissio, it's both craft and art—building from nothing.