The audience cheered and whistled as democratic City Councilman and class of '94 UA graduate Jose Ibarra strolled down the runway, modeling a black denim jacket made from recycled plastic bottles.

Ibarra was one of 12 models, including two other city council members and UA Recycling Coordinator Richard Garb, in the Recycling Fashion Show yesterday at El Con Mall.

"I was surprised at all the things you can make" with recycled material, Ibarra said.

About 50 people crowded into the JC Penney court to watch as Garb modeled his Feathers International T-shirt, Eastpack backpack and Bass shoes, all made from 20 recycled plastic bottles.

It also took 20 plastic soda bottles to make the black sweater worn by Janet Marcus, Democratic city council member (Ward 2).

"Recycled plastic is showing up in places never thought of," said Don Kneass, western regional representative of the National Association for the Recovery of Plastic Containers.

"It boggles people's minds when we can take a plastic bottle and make a piece of clothing from it," Kneass said.

Buying products made from recyclables is smart, Kneass said, and Mother Nature is preserved.

"Buy what you recycle; recycle what you buy. That is how we will make it work," he said.

Making recycled clothing is an easy process, said Erin Kimrey, waste reduction planner for the City of Tucson. First, the plastic bottles are shredded into flakes that look like confetti. Then, the plastic flakes are washed and spun into string-like fiber s. Finally, the fibers are spun into yarn and woven into fabric.

The process is inexpensive, Kneass said, and the recycled clothes cost about the same as clothes made from virgin fibers. A fleece jacket made from plastic bottles costs between $49.95 and $59.95.

Recycled fabric feels as soft as cotton, said Helen McNeal, recycling information/education coordinator for Tucson Clean & Beautiful. But, McNeal said, the recycled fabric is a little warmer than cotton.

Kneass said the warmer, "poly" fabric is great, especially for outdoor activities, because it wicks moisture away, is durable and dries quicker than other fabrics.

Making clothes out of plastic is becoming a trend, Kneass said. In 1994, 565 million pounds of plastic were recycled into clothes. That figure, he said, was 300 million pounds short of the demand.

Kneass said manufacturers like Reebok, Bass, Patagonia and Evolution are now demanding recycled fabrics.

The recycled clothes are available now, Kneass said. But the customer should check the label to be sure the product is made from recycled materials.

Having the city council members model was an excellent idea, Kimrey said. "It shows the interest and commitment to recycle on the part of the city council, and that's what makes the program work."