Baby boomers have become a generation of 'shedders'; they are getting rid of many of their redundant possessions in favor of pursuing a more manageable, less cluttered lifestyle.

They are turning away from materialism, in part because they are downsizing and have run out of room. They are sending increasing amounts of stuff to the thrift stores and the landfills.

However, according to Tom Frey, writing in "The Futurist" Magazine, “The boomers are not alone. Virtually every category of consumer is spending less on physical products and more on non-physical ones such as digital products, online education, and personal experiences.” And this shift is not exclusively a US phenomenon. We are seeing this change all over the world and people turn away from "physical things" to what can be more meaningful in their lives. Now, we can carry an entire music collection, hundreds of hours of listening enjoyment, right there in our cell phones.

As more people get rid of "stuff", there is another movement to take those discards and repurpose them. EcoDomo is re-purposing panels of leather belts for floors and walls. By collecting used leather belts from Goodwill stores in the Northeast, as well as from collectors, they sort, process, and attach them to panels with their group of artisans.

Now, those old leather belts are taking on a new life as the EcoDomo Phoenix Leather Collection. The EcoDomo Phoenix Leather Collection™ re-purposed belt panels offer an artistic and whimsical accent to reception desks, doors, feature walls, furniture and area rugs. They may also be used as wall art. Their Phoenix Collection has been used in corporate offices, showrooms, and in hospitality applications.

EcoDomo has pioneered unique recycled leather and cork applications for floors and walls that are comparable to cork or linoleum for wear. The company now offers recycled leather solutions that may be used as wood veneer, as a sustainable and more economical option than traditional leathers. For years now, the company has been recycling leather and cork into interlocking planks, tiles, and other high-end design touches. For more information or to see their beautiful products, visit www.EcoDomo.com. This company is only one of many repurposing discards into high fashion.

Fashionistas have coveted distressed blue jeans or handbags for a while now. Recycling and repurposing helps everyone, plus the planet. Expect to see a lot more!

© Copyright 1998-2012 by The Herman Group of Companies, Inc., all rights reserved.  From 'The Herman Trend Alert,' by Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurist. (800) 227-3566 or www.hermangroup.com

The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group of Companies, Inc. Reprinted with permission.