About Us

After visiting Cambodia in early 2008 we were struck by both the warmness of the people living there as well as the harsh living conditions that most of the population endures. Despite the setbacks, we witnessed a lot of NGO groups and private organizations working very hard to improve peoples everyday living conditions. We were most impressed by the resourcefulness and creativity of the groups that taught people to create goods from recycled materials to be sold at the local markets. We thought that if only people back home had the opportunity to see these great products and how much people were benefiting from them, they would be as interested as we were. With that renewpurpose.com was born.

At renewpurpose.com we try to support organizations that promote these three main principles:

SUSTAINABILITY - Our products are primarily made from recycled materials that are discarded after their initial use. These materials include: rice bags, newspapers, plastic packaging, and candy wrappers. Using these materials not only promotes a cleaner environment for us all, but provides the creators of these products an endless supply of raw materials to build from. As well providing the rest of us really awesome and unique fashion accessories.

FAIR TRADE - People deserve to be paid a living wage. The organizations we partner with agree. The workers creating our products are often paid well above the local average for their services. Our products don't come from sweat shops or massive factories on the outskirts of town. They are all handmade by our workers in their own homes or in small communal workshops.

EMPOWERMENT - As the old saying goes "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." Helping parents develop the skills to provide for their families ensures their self reliance and ability to care for their families.