This slideshow requires JavaScript.

One Penn State alumnus has started something quite revolutionary — a company that manufactures and sells bikes made from 100 percent recyclable materials. Bryce Edmonds, a 1990 graduate in English Literature, started the Los Angeles based company “ReCycle” last summer, which uses eco-friendly aluminum to make the bicycles completely in America.

“Our brand was born from the realization that it’s possible to make remarkably green rides in what is already the most environmental of transportation options,” said Edmonds. “And then, unlike 99% of the bikes sold here, we chose the harder path and kept our manufacturing at home, rather than the cheaper options abroad.”

ReCycle currently has three models: mBula, a cruiser made for  beach or city; Mudmaste, an all-terrain ride ready for road or trail; and Moshi Moshi, a fixed-gear/single-speed bike. “We wanted our first line to make a big impact and reflect a wide swath of the bicycle world,” Edmonds said.

According to Edmonds, aluminum takes 95% less energy and creates 95% fewer CO2 emissions than creating it from scratch — so much so that nearly 75% of aluminum made since the 1880s is still in use. “No matter what the ultimate material, The ReCycle Cycles will create lifestyle products made from recycled and upcycled elements and be great stewards for our environment while making some incredible, head-turning bikes, accessories and more,” Edmonds said.

Biking has always been popular for naturists in State College and surrounding areas, and Edmonds’ central Pennsylvania roots helped spark this idea. “I actually started to get into biking in the hills around State College—and on campus steps. I once almost took a header down the steps on the side of the student union,” Edmonds said, “It’s safe to say that the diversity of people I ran into [at Penn State] helped to launch [this idea].”

Edmonds and his partner Jason Cave, a 1992 Penn State grad, have launched a KickStarter to help get the project moving. Here’s a video to learn more about a Penn Stater helping make the world a “greener” place.