Amtrak's Acela seats to be upcycled into luxury bags

Amtrak has partnered with People for Urban Progress (PUP) to repurpose Acela Express seat covers into luxury leather bags.

An Indianapolis-based nonprofit, PUP expects to roll out about 2,500 bags over the next 10 to 12 months as the seat coverings are repurposed. The first products will include tote bags, backpacks and "dopp kits" or toiletry bags. PUP designers are hand-crafting all the bags.

"One of the main objectives of this upcycling project is to divert as much waste from landfills as possible," said Amtrak Senior Sustainability Manager Kara Angotti in a press release. "We have set a corporate recycling target of 20 percent by 2020 and this project will help us advance closer to achieving that goal. This is a unique opportunity to explore the extended value in our trash and to focus on ensuring we consider what happens to our materials at the end of their useful life."

The project marks PUP's first national endeavor and a new initiative for Amtrak. The bags will retail from $75 to $750, according to PUP.

Amtrak's Acela Express service operates between Washington, D.C., and Boston.