Vietnam Life

Tuesday, November 11, 2025, 09:44 GMT+7

Vietnam designer weaves green dream from discarded plastic

In a small workshop in Ho Chi Minh City, sheets of discarded plastic, once destined for the trash, are being reborn as handbags — part of designer Pham Thi Kim Hang’s mission to turn waste into wearable, sustainable fashion.

Vietnam designer weaves green dream from discarded plastic- Ảnh 1.

A worker joins cut and rolled plastic bags into large strands before feeding them into a weaving machine to make recycled plastic fabric at Limloop’s workshop in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Hang, 30, is the founder of Limloop, a brand dedicated to recycled fashion.

After years of research, she has found ways to maximize the strengths of recycled plastic fibers while addressing their weaknesses.

Unlike traditional fabric, plastic bags are fragile and prone to tearing, but Limloop has combined them with cloth to increase durability, water resistance, and quick-drying properties.

Vietnam designer weaves green dream from discarded plastic- Ảnh 2.

A worker cuts plastic bags into panels for handbags at Limloop’s workshop in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

“The outer layer of the bags is made of the plastic fabric, which holds its shape well,” Hang said.

“It works perfectly in the rain and protects the contents inside.

“We then developed heat-pressed designs that spread the plastic sheets over a larger surface to create unique patterns.”

Vietnam designer weaves green dream from discarded plastic- Ảnh 3.

A worker processes plastic bags into threads for weaving at Limloop’s workshop in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The production process is meticulous: cleaned and sorted plastic bags are cut into bag panels.

Multi-colored plastic packaging is pressed into large sheets using heat, creating decorative patterns that make each bag unique.

Workers then weave the sheets into complete fabrics.

Vietnam designer weaves green dream from discarded plastic- Ảnh 4.

Tran Dai Nghia, 41, a lead fabric production worker, carefully joins strands to create large, colorful sheets of plastic fabric at Limloop’s workshop in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The color combinations of the final products depend on the recycled materials available.

Limloop’s mission goes beyond sustainability.

The brand actively hires people with disabilities, including staff who are hearing-impaired, visually impaired, or with mobility challenges.

Vietnam designer weaves green dream from discarded plastic- Ảnh 5.

Tran Giang Anh Thu, 32, production warehouse manager, sorts plastic scraps for processing at Limloop’s workshop in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The goal is to provide stable employment while promoting environmentally friendly products.

After four years of operation, Limloop continues to refine its handbags made from recycled plastic fabric.

The brand now aims to collaborate with other companies to spread awareness of eco-conscious, recycled fashion.

Vietnam designer weaves green dream from discarded plastic- Ảnh 6.

A finished handbag is labeled with information about the recycling process and its environmental significance at Limloop’s workshop in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Vietnam designer weaves green dream from discarded plastic- Ảnh 7.

A worker presses colorful plastic packaging into large sheets using a heat press at Limloop’s workshop in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Vietnam designer weaves green dream from discarded plastic- Ảnh 8.

A worker weaves a complete sheet of fabric from colored plastic rolls at Limloop’s workshop in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Bao Anh - Bao Tran - Be Hieu / Tuoi Tre News

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