Candy wrapper bracelets and purses made of chip bags are not usually part of the picture when fashion comes to mind . But for sophomore Rachel Bisch, they play a key role. These unique accessories made of recyclable materials make up her small business.

“They draw the eyes,” Rachel said. “It’s always noticed when I have one on me, no matter what the size.”

Two years ago, Rachel stumbled upon a few purses made out of juice pouches. Intrigued, she glanced at the price tag. Appalled at the cost, she began creating her own original pouch purses and eventually expanded her inventory.

“They were so expensive,” Rachel said. “I’ve never had lots of money, so I decided to craft them myself.”

She strings together bracelets made of bottle caps and candy wrappers. She turns common tab tops and soda cans into stylish pairs of earrings. She even irons together plastic grocery bags, transforming them into handbags.

Eventually, Rachel decided to sell her creations, with an asking price more wallet friendly.

“In stores, it’s about $60 for a small purse made of chip bags,” Rachel said. “That is usually double for how much I sell them for. It’s kind of scary.”

As her sales grew, Rachel started referring to her business as an interesting way to “upcycle.”

“In a way, upcycling means reusing,” Rachel said. “It’s taking something you would normally throw away and turning it into something you can use.”

For Rachel, making a profit is just an extra bonus that goes hand-in-hand with upcycling, which she believes helps the environment.

“I hope people will see what I’m doing and both appreciate and understand the deeper meaning that there is a green element to it,” Rachel said.

Hannah Bisch, senior, recognizes the message her sister is trying to send.

“I think it’s really interesting, and it’s gotten me and the family to think about what we throw away,” Hannah said.

According to Rachel, most of the sales are made to her friends and family, but she is currently working on striking up a greater interest in her business.

On select days, she stuffs a sack of Starbursts into her backpack and distributes the candy to the kids in her classes, making sure to tell the faces behind the eager pairs of extended hands to return the wrappers.

“I’m willing to buy original products and share them with other people because they usually ask me why I want the wrappers back,” Rachel said. “It informs people and gets me materials.”

As a freshman, Rachel also tried to set up a collection box in the cafeteria in hopes that students would drop in a wrapper or even a juice pouch or two. After asking for permission, her request was denied.

“I was told that it would be chaos,” Rachel said. “There are just too many people in the cafeteria.”

Despite the absence of collection boxes in the lunchroom, Rachel gets the word out by operating a page on Facebook called “Recycled by Rachel.” On her page, people can view photos of her products, obtain contact information, and even place an order. Currently, over 120 people “like” her page.

“They’re cool and very creative,” Sarah Schwegel, senior and owner of a Capri Sun pencil pouch, said. “It’s cool that I don’t have to order something so awesome in the mail and that I can just get it at school.”