Major Japanese airlines are giving new life to some of their old equipment and materials.

All Nippon Airways has begun selling handbags made from used jumpsuits once worn by its mechanics.

The carrier throws away about 300 pieces of workwear every year.

Their material is highly durable, making it ideal for totes and shoulder bags.

A senior maintenance worker came up with the idea. Takahashi Hideya, ANA Engineering & Maintenance Center, said, "The airline industry is under severe scrutiny over environmental issues. I suggested this because, as an employee, I want to deal with the problem head-on."
Japan Airlines is recycling its expired life vests, turning them into pouches.

The Environment Ministry says only around a third of discarded clothing in Japan is recycled.