Costume jewelry brand recycles worn pieces

It’s no longer uncommon for companies to turn other companies’ used goods into something new—Worn Again’s recrafting of old airplane seat covers comes to mind—or to donate used products for a charitable cause. One we hadn’t seen, however, was a jewelry company that takes back its customers’ worn items and transforms them into new designs. Sure enough, though, last month Canada’s Foxy Originals announced a new jewelry recycling program that it says is the first of its kind in North America. How it works: customers send in their old, well-worn pieces of the company’s design, and Foxy will melt down the metals from those items and turn them into brand-new designs. In exchange, consumers receive a 10 percent discount on their next Foxy purchase. As the company’s website explains, “Foxy’s recycle program is a great way to refresh your personal collection of Foxy Originals while reducing waste and helping the environment.” Toronto-based Foxy’s other socially minded efforts include producing all its designs locally in Canada and using lead-free materials and water-based sprays instead of toxic solvents in all production. Already endowed with (still) made here appeal, Foxy will only add to its eco-credentials with the new recycling effort, encouraging green-minded customers to come back for more. (Related: Retailers recycle customers’ used clothes — From Wal-Mart, jewelry with a traceable story.) Spotted by: Sarah Tindle