10 Sustainable And Eco Friendly Backpacks For School, Work Or Adventure
They're sustainable enough to go everywhere you do—and strong enough to carry everything you need. Whether you commute to school or the office you need a great bag to carry all your stuff. The best backpack should be green, comfortable, and spacious and these Sustainable and eco friendly backpacks check all the boxes when it comes to style and comfort.
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How to choose environmentally friendly backpacks
You'll need to consider a few key things when choosing an ethical backpack.
1. look for Natural or organic fabrics & materials
What are the backpacks made from? The best eco-friendly backpacks are made using fabrics that are either natural, organic or recycled. Backpacks in this space are typically made from synthetic materials that would otherwise be discarded. Like recycled plastic for example.
Synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon are easy to recycle because the fibers themselves are super strong, which means these backpacks are built to last. You can also look out for organic cotton canvas which is biodegradable and non-toxic. Speaking of non-toxic, some backpacks are treated with stain and water repellent chemicals like PFC and BPA, you'll want to stay clear of these. Instead, opt for natural coatings like wax.
2. FInd out how the brands sources its materials
This is an important component for fair trade sustainable backpacks. It's important to ask where and how the materials are being sourced. Are they sourced in a way that does not harm people or the planet? A good way to figure this out is to look for third-party certifications. And is the company you are buying the backpack certified in any way? B. Corp would be one to look out for as well as the Fair Trade logo.
Brands that are transparent about the factories where their eco friendly and sustainable backpacks are made are at the top of the list. They pay their artisans or workers paid a fair wage and ensure the factories they are partnering with are safe environments for the workers.
3. what's the band's Corporate Responsibility
Aside from the item being sustainable, what are some of the other responsible initiatives the brand is taking? How do they save water? Do they have any internal practices they take to reduce energy consumption? Are they part of any non-profit organizations like 1% For The Planet? Do they offset their shipping footprint? What kind of materials do they use when shipping their items (are they plastic-free, for example)?
The Best Eco-Friendly Backpacks
Confy, cute, spacicuons and pratictual!
1. JORD
JORD is based in the USA and not only makes vegan eco friendly backpacks, but they also carry a selection of beautiful watches and sunglasses. They are focused on creating pieces that fit within a modern lifestyle. They value sustainability and efficiency throughout their business. Their backpacks come in three vivid colours and are designed beautifully.
The Binca is a mini sustainable backpack that has the right amount of space for an active lifestyle, while at the same time still being fun and chic. It's got rounded edges which makes it comfier and has distinct chain straps that give it a little more oomph! I like that's it versatile enough for a day hiking or a Friday night date.
JORD's fabrics & materials
Jord uses a natural Portugues cork called Suberhide™ which they say is "the world’s most durable luxury fabric". This is not the same cork you see on the top of your chardonnay. It feels like rich leather, it's textured and tough, it highly elastic, and will maintain its shape no matter what you are doing. Cork is a super sustainable fabric and is naturally water-resistant, stain-resistant, and really easy to clean with mild soap and warm water.
JORD's ethical sourcing
When grown sustainably, cork is one of the best natural vegan materials on the market today. Cork can reduce greenhouse gases and the cork trees actually require no toxic pesticides, pruning, or maintenance. All of JORD's cork is third-party certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
The cork is ethically harvested in Portugal. Along with cork, they use vegan leather that adds a little more sophistication to the bag.
Their watches are really gorgeous. The wood they use is sourced sustainably, often rescuing downed trees and upcycling furniture. Their main goal with the watches has been to slow the purchase cycle, focusing on the unique materials and the quality features.
JORD's Corporate Responsibility
JORD has worked with a variety of local charities such as Missouri Coalition for the Environment, Perennial, Operation Food Search, & Brace for Impact.
2. Hozen
Hozen, which means Conservation in Japanese was founded by Rae Nicoletti, a leather atelier who worked for Hermes and now creates a really beautiful collection that includes clothes, totes, buckets, and of course, sustainable vegan backpacks. The backpack shown comes in five vibrant colors — red, green, royal blue, and black.
This lightweight vegan backpack has an interior side pocket and one interior zip pocket. This backpack is lightweight and durable and perfect for a low-key day in nature.
Hozen's fabrics & materials
Hozen's luxury eco backpacks are made from Piñatex®, a "leather" that comes from pineapple leaf fibers and Bio-Poly oil, a grain-based eco-friendly polyurethane. They also use "recycled plastic or organic twill lining, zippers and thread from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, natural rubber, remnant rope, recycled cotton labels, and vegan adhesive."
Each bag is 100% animal-free, PETA approved, and made in small batches with minimal waste.
Hozen's ethical sourcing
All of their bags are handmade locally in Los Angeles California. Rea was inducted into the Female Founder Collective, a network enabling and empowering female-owned and led businesses to positively impact communities, both socially and economically.
All of their partners have strict ethical manufacturing practices. Everything is produced in small batches with the utmost care taken for the people making each item.
Hozen's Corporate Responsibility
Along with using recycled and eco-materials in all production, Hozen is a woman-owned brand that pays its workers a living wage and donates 10% of its profits to Mercy for Animals. They also try to minimize waste wherever possible and use carbon offsets to reduce their environmental footprint.
When bags are shipped they use recycled paper packaging. I love their motto: "By merging consumerism with good conscience, HOZEN is proud to play a pivotal role in protecting our most valuable statement piece, Mother Earth — and we invite you, dear customer, to join us."
3. Terra Thread
Terra Thread's fair trade sustainable backpacks are made for school, work, or everyday use. They are built to last and come in 14 fun, vibrant colors. They also come in full-size (for the college student) and mini's, the perfect choice for a sustainable school backpack for your little one.
The Earth Backpack is durable and spacious and made with heavy-duty 12oz organic canvas. It has one large exterior pocket and a smaller one on the interior. There is even a laptop compartment and two side pockets for your reusable water bottle.
You don't have to use this only for school; it can also be a comfy day pack for hiking or short overnight trips and is a really affordable option too at $65US. They use YKK lead-free antique finish metal zippers.
Terra Thread's fabrics & materials
All of their fair trade sustainable backpacks are made with 100% Fairtrade organic cotton and are certified by Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS). Even the dyes they use are low impact and GOTS Certified.
“Cotton is one of the most important textile fibers in the world, averaging about 25 percent of total world fiber use.” But conventional cotton comes with a backpack full of issues. It's one of the most pesticide-laden crops on the planet. Those chemicals are not only bad for the planet, thanks to chemical runoff, but for the people who have to grow and pick it.
It's why fabric certification like GOTS matters. "Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification is a stringent voluntary global standard for the entire post-harvest processing such as spinning, knitting, weaving, dyeing, manufacturing of apparel, and home textiles made with organic fiber."
Terra Thread's Ethical Sourcing
Not only is all the fabric they use ethical but it's also sourced sustainably to ensure that the farmers are protected throughout the manufacturing process. Cotton is a big business with more than 100 million rural households engaged in its production in more than 75 counties. For conventional cotton, farmers use GMOs and don't really have a choice when it comes to where they buy it from.
On top of that, child and forced labor are used in at least 17 countries. This is why Fairtrade certifications matter — you are buying an item that makes a huge difference in the lives of the farmers.
Terra Thread's partnership with Fairtrade ensures the farmer's health and safety while protecting the natural environment and making sure child labor is not an issue. Fairtrade also addresses issues like gender equality and climate change.
So when you buy one of their eco friendly backpacks for men or women, you are making sure the makers are also getting a fair price for their creations! Gotta love that!
Terra Thread's Corporate Responsibility
Terra Thread's parent company, Gallant, is a B. Corp Certified business. That means it's one of many companies that are “leaders of a global movement of people using business as a force for good. They meet the highest standards of overall social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability and aspire to use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.”
Terra Thread products are made in a Fair Trade USA Certified Factory.
The Earth Backpack is also carbon-neutral, you can see that information right on their website and they also support Feeding America's network of 200 foodbanks to help give nutritious food to children, families, and seniors in the US.
4. tentree
If you read this blog often, you know how much I love the Canadian ethical fashion brand, tentree. If you are looking for affordable ethical clothing, they've got you covered. They also make the best eco hats, socks and Work-From-Home Athleisure Wear! Their Mobius 35L is the perfect sustainable men's backpack, but ladies, you can handle it too.
It's described as a 4-in-1 backpack that can take on any kind of environment. It's got a place for your water bottle, it can barry up to 40oz and the strap will hold it in place perfectly. It's got a sneaky side pocket you can use for your phone, it's stylish and as one reviewer says "comfy as heck".
This backpack was also part of a Kickstarter campaign, which has led tentree to offer more of this durable backpack. Another reviewer says "love the little this, the built-in whistle on chest strap, cloth water bottle pocket (mesh pockets always tear on me), the padding on the bottom of the bag for stability. A lot of thought was put into Mobius. I appreciate that."
tentree's fabrics & materials
When it comes to materials, this is one cool cat backpack! It's made with 100% REPREVE Recycled Polyester that comes from discarded plastic bottles. By keeping them out of landfills (and oceans), they use less energy to make their clothing and accessories.
They also use innovative BLOOM Foam Padding, which they describe this way: "BLOOM® harvests excess algae bloom, cleaning up waters and ecosystems. By using BLOOM® as our padding, we double its protection power by minimizing the impact on your gadgets as well as the environment."
And on top of that, the Mobius backpack uses recycled post-industrial factory waste to create buckles, zippers, and trims.
Not only can you find recycled fabrics, but also TENCEL (where 99% of the water and chemicals used in production are reduced in a closed-loop system). Organic cotton is sourced ethically and hemp helps to save water.
tentree's Ethical Sourcing
Their environmentally friendly backpacks are designed in Canada and ethically made in Vietnam. All of tentree's products are sourced ethically down to every detail. All of their partner factories meet the highest standards and comply with tentree's ethical Code of Conduct, which includes no forced or child labour, decent working hours, a safe working environment, good wages, and zero discrimination.
They have a drop-down menu on their website called The Factory Ledger where you can take a look inside each one of their factories. They also visit all of them, which a lot of brands don't do!
tentree's Corporate Responsibility
tentree is a B. Certified Corp. that plants 10 trees for every item they sell. To date, they have planted over 56 million trees and are aiming for 1 billion trees by 2030—let's help them get there! They have also committed to being 100% plastic-free by 2023.
5. Patagonia
No matter what kind of sustainable and eco-friendly backpack you are looking for, Patagonia has them all. They've got technical backpacks for rock climbing, trail running, mountain biking, fly fishing, hiking, surfing and alpine climbing. Sheesh! You are bound to find one you love.
They've also got sustainable women's backpacks, sustainable waterproof backpacks, vegan backpacks and even casual backpacks. They are all made to last!
This Women's Chacabuco Backpack 28L has a great organization for daily use, but the right size and features for day hikes, too. It's fit specifically for a woman, with a modified harness and back panel for comfort and made with recycled plastics. There are so many options to choose from. I highly recommend you read all the reviews; it'll make your decisions so much easier.
Patagonia's fabrics & materials
Patagonia uses a wide variety of materials not only in their sustainable, ethically-made backpacks but in all of its products. If you are an outdoor adventurer, you will want to check them out.
100% of the virgin cotton in their clothes is grown organically. 64% of their fabrics this season are made with recycled materials. They are investing in more than 550 organic cotton farms working toward Regenerative Organic Certified™. This season, they use hemp in 37 of their product styles. Hemp currently makes up less than 0.1% of the global fiber market.
Their NetPlus® material is made from 100% recycled discarded fishing nets collected in fishing communities in South America. Take a look at their impressive eco-materials. Their Black Hole® backpacks use a Zero-Wastewater Discharging System in the manufacturing process.
Patagonia's Ethical Sourcing
They take it to the next level. 82% of their line is Fair Trade Certified™ sewn. That’s more Fair Trade styles than any other apparel brand. They use a 4-fold approach to pre-screen all the mills and factories they work with, saying:
"We engage in a range of due diligence activities to promote and sustain fair labor practices, safe working conditions, and environmental responsibility in the finished goods factories, farms, and mills."
They also rely on their Supply Chain Environmental Responsibility program to measure and reduce the environmental impacts of manufacturing Patagonia products. Their Supplier Workplace Code of Conduct is based on International Labor Organization (ILO) core labor standards and requires their suppliers to comply with all laws in each of the countries where our factories operate.
Patagonia's Corporate Responsibility
Where do I even begin? There is so much to talk about, so I am just going to highlight some of the really good ones. First off, Patagonia was one of the founding members of the NGO 1% For The Planet. Since its inception in 1985, they have awarded over $89 million to grassroots, environmental groups.
One of the things I love most about them is their Worn Wear program which is all about repairing, sharing, and recycling their gear. The whole idea is to help customers reduce consumption and send as little textile waste to landfills as possible.
6. Paravel
Paravel's eco friendly stylish backpack comes with a "twist of magic" in that it folds flat and fits into a small pouch. You can even keep it in your carry-on in case you need extra storage. If you are going on a hiking trip and need to pack a lightweight option, this is it.
You can use it as a gym bag or for your daily commute. It is also one of the best eco friendly laptop backpacks I could find. It features two zip pockets for easy access and easily stows the daily essentials, a change of clothes, and up to a 15-inch laptop.
This year, Paravel was named a 2021 Travel + Leisure Global Vision Award Winner, and for good reason. They make a wide selection of sustainable luggage, duffle bags, and organizers.
This backpack pictured is available in 6 vibrant colors and you can even have it personalized with your initials embroidered right on it. Such a great gift idea.
Paravel's fabrics & materials
This fold-up eco backpack is made from a fabric known as negative nylon, which is made from 15 upcycled plastic water bottles. It's double-layered for durability. Their award-winning luggage is made from a recycled polycarbonate shell; and the Telescopic handle is made from recycled, aircraft-grade aluminum.
Paravel also sells the most gorgeous handbags made from upcycled coffee bags originally sourced from traders in places such as Brazil, India, Nicaragua, and Tanzania and handmade in Italy by local and ethical artisans. They are simply gorgeous. Many of them are made from Jute, a highly sustainable fabric.
Upcycling and sustainable material innovation is part of Paravel's promise. They use and design with cutting-edge eco-materials and are in the process of using biofabrics. All the materials that are used are rigorously tested to meet their quality and design standards in addition to getting stamps of approval from leading sustainability certification programs.
Paravel's ethical sourcing
All of their suppliers must provide a safe work environment that encompasses a number of things: workers are treated fairly and being paid for their work; the factory itself must uphold safety laws, regulations, and codes; and suppliers must ensure that workers are trained in the event of an emergency evacuation.
Non-discrimination, fair wages, and environmental stewardship are all part of their business model. They have this to say about it:
"All suppliers must sign this Code of Conduct. By so doing you authorize Paravel, its designated agents, and designated third parties to engage in auditing or monitoring activities to confirm compliance with the Paravel Code of Social Responsibility. Such actions may include, but are not limited to, unannounced on-site inspection of manufacturing facilities and employer-provided housing; review of books and records relating to employment matters; and private interviews with employees"
Paravel's Corporate Responsibility
They have upcycled close to 2 million plastic water bottles to date, have offset 7.8 million lbs of C02 through their carbon-neutral shipping program, and planted over 20,000 trees through Eden Reforestation Projects.
Their Aviator Carry-On is the world's first carbon-neutral suitcase, every step of production is offset, they even offset the "the average emissions of our customers’ first trip, and we did it all without raising the price."
7. Mariclaro
Mariclaro has sustainable backpacks for biking and the office and has been making them since 2008. This Canadian brand started with a challenge: to make high-quality modern designs using repurposed materials... and they have done just that.
They have two styles of backpacks to choose from: the Satellite and the Mariclaro. Both styles come in different colors and are handmade in Canada. Each backpack has pockets where you will need them, you can fit a laptop into each of them, they are stylish and comfy!
This is one of the coolest companies I have come across. They work mostly with vintage car interiors and repurposed aviation seat material. All the materials we use are recycled and always vary. It's very cool!
"We steadfastly believe that repurposed materials are far more interesting - rich with stories and character - worked in, not worn out - they set the design apart."
Mariclaro's fabrics & materials
Each Satellite backpack is made using reclaimed materials. The Royal Blue and Black & Red are made from upcycled Italian leather. It's part of their Diversion 1.5 collection, which uses materials they divert from the landfills. The leather is factory off-cuts sourced in Toronto.
The Satellite Melange backpacks are made from patina-rich repurposed Black Angus aircraft leather sourced from Air Canada's Boeing 777 aircraft and the straps are made from automotive seat belts.
Their signature Mariclaro backpacks are also part of their Diversion 1.5 collection, which uses materials we divert from the landfills. The leather and the upholstery are factory off-cuts sourced in Toronto. Each bag is a limited and unique design with a story.
They also carry bags, wallets, weekender bags, and more. Each collection is so innovative, stylish, chic, and sustainable.
Mariclaro's Ethical Sourcing
They source all of their automotive materials directly from local wreaking yards. The founder literally cuts all the materials out of the cards by hand. He says it's hard work but a lot of fun too. For the repurposed aircraft materials, they come directly from various airlines. The materials are cleaned and then the production process begins.
Since all of the materials are being saved and upcycled it makes their sourcing one of the most sustainable. Automotive Seat belts, vintage seatbelt buckles, and seat leather are the magic ingredients for the distinctive bags from their Three Speed Collection.
The Zeit. Works are unique bags & accessory pieces from vintage luxury car interiors such as Mercedes, Porsche, Lamborghini, and many more.
Mariclaro's Corporate Responsibility
Well, they are pretty much killing it by reusing fabrics and material that is destined for the trash. By doing this they are diverting a lot of waste from landfills. Mariclaro is built on the principles of high quality, sustainable production, and ingenious designs. All their items are handmade in Canada in their studio in Snow Road Station, Ontario. Mariclaro. They're obsessed with quality to the very last stitch.
8. Vaude
Vaude is a Canadian brand that makes urban bags, bike bags, and sustainable backpacks for trekking skiing, hiking, and more. They've been making eco backpacks for 40 years. When you come to their website and click backpacks you can choose via your activity—each backpack is made with the activity in mind. They also have tips on how to wear any given one and a complete breakdown of how it should fit. They even have a collection just for women because, as they say, "women have their own specific needs when it comes to backpack design."
There is A LOT to choose from. I highly recommend you spend some time on their website reading about all the incredible features each one has.
Vaude has been working with the strict environmental bluesign® standard since 2001, which controls the entire textile manufacturing chain. They were also the first outdoor company to receive EMAS certification, which "increases the environmental performance of a company while improving its 'green' image with transparent and validated reporting."
Vaude's fabrics & materials
Tons to talk about here. As mentioned at the top of this post, a lot of backpacks are treated with harmful weather-proofing chemicals that are really toxic to us and the planet, to get around this Vaude uses a finish that is waterproof without fluorocarbon making it 100% PFC-free.
PFC's "have been found in breast milk, the blood of polar bears, in glaciers, on every continent of the planet and even in our drinking water. The entire Mountain Backpack Collection is also 100 % PVC-free.
Vaude uses a selection of sustainable fabrics that include recycled polyester which reduces waste being sent to landfills.
Hemp is a really robust plant, it requires little to no water to grown and does not require any fertilizers or pesticides. The fibers come from the stalks that are spun into durable fabrics. Hemp is naturally anti-bacterial and is a fantastic fabric for outwear.
Recycled polymede, EcoPaXX®, a bio-based plastic, organic cotton, recycled thermoplastic, ECONYL® nylon is made from fishing nets and other nylon waste, recycled PET (plastic) bottles and Terracare® leather is certified and sustainably tanned.
Vaude's Ethical Sourcing
Vaude has an internal program called Green Shape Label. This is a program they began to ensure that all their products are manufactured under "fair working conditions along the entire supply chain". Vaude adds that:
"The criteria for the label are strict and transparent. They are under constant review and cover the entire lifecycle of the product from design, through production, care and maintenance, to repair and the product’s end of life. This means that not only the primary materials but also all production sites have to meet the high ecological standards for VAUDE Green Shape products. In addition, all other components such as thread, zips, and prints must meet the stringent Green Shape criteria."
Vaude's Corporate Responsibility
The Fair Wear Foundation is one of the most recognized and strictest standards in the field of social responsibility. This independent organization focuses primarily on the supply chain sewing industry, where labor-intensive processes take place and a large number of workers can be reached. Fair Wear Foundation therefore regularly carries out audits of individual production facilities.
Vaude is a climate-neutral company that uses solar energy and offset through myClimate.
9. United By Blue
United By Blue checks all the boxes for sustainable clothing brands and swimsuits. For every product bought from their website, they remove one pound of trash from the ocean.
(R)evolution™ is one of the best eco friendly backpacks on the market. They come in different sizes (25L, 22L, 16L, 9L) and have several really great clours. You can use these in rugged terrain or even for the school or the office. They've also got pockets and other storage areas you might need.
United By Blue's fabrics & materials
All (R)evolution™ backpacks are made with recycled polyester and recycled nylon that comes from plastic water bottles which will make your pack durable as heck. Which is what we want! Built to last right? Their pet accessories are also made from recycled plastic bottles. And because they don’t require washing, their (R)evolution products sustain daily wear and tear without shedding microfibers.
United By Blue has a ton of really cool fabrics, like Hemp, Tencel, organic cotton, MicroModal, and much more.
When we use recycled material that already exists in the world, we reduce our overall footprint significantly. A lot of synthetic clothing is made from plastic, which is a product of the fossil fuel industry — a major contributor to global warming. The more we can reuse what already exists, the better!
United By Blue's Ethical Sourcing
They partner with factories that hold the highest standards for facilities and personnel, with third-party certifications to back it. You can read about each factory they work with on their website.
The sustainable backpacks are ethically made in Vietnam where they use expert craftsmanship to make each one. The factory is also responsible for transforming the recycled polyester into durable, hard-wearing packs that will be around for years. And all of the factories are GOTS, OCS, and/or Fair Trade certified factories.
United By Blue's Corporate Responsibility
They are a B. Certified Corp and have won the title of "Best for the World Honoree" for the past three years. They also have an internal program called "We Quit Plastics" where they are working towards being completely plastic-free in all facets of their business. COVID has made that harder and they are super transparent about it. But they have also had some really big wins:
"Our recent launch with Target, we helped them initiate their first-ever shipment of the product without plastic poly bags. Instead, we worked with Target to use paper bags to keep the products safe and saved 177,255 poly bags in the process. We also voluntarily took on a number of extra fees to not use poly bags in some instances where they were required (a real bummer of a requirement, we know)."
10. Allegorie
Allegorie makes eco friendly stylish backpacks made from repurposed fruit and plants! Yep, you read that right! This company is owned and operated by women who not only create sustainable handbags, they are also taking a huge bite out of making a difference in the world.
Everything they do is focused on principles of equality, diversity, and social responsibility.
The handbags are really beautiful and their backpacks are not only durable but also what any fashionista would want. Their Gala backpacks come in black and dusty rose and you have the option to choose the colour of the fabric inside the pack. Each one has multiple pockets, a designated laptop sleeve, and extra padding to protect it and your back. Whether you are trekking on a train or hiking, it's just what you need.
Allegorie's fabrics & materials
Talk about innovation! "Apples and backpacks aren’t just for the back-to-school season," they say. Allegorie uses apples, mangoes and cactus, and many other bio-based and eco-friendly materials in their collections.
They source and collect fruits that are discarded by grocery stores and farms and turn them into one-of-a-kind creations. Mango's rich natural fibers make a great source for making elastic and durable materials. They are shredded down and then turned into sheets that can be used to make the bags. They use a water-based PU as a binding agent and the final result is a strong leather-like material.
Cactus leaves are used because they are full of natural fibers and can be used to make durable leather-like materials that are cruelty-free, toxic-free and PVC-free.
Allegorie's Ethical Sourcing
All of their production partners follow strict guidelines to reduce their emissions. They take extra steps to ensure that their craftsman and workers are treated and paid fairly with a safe work environment with balanced work hours.
They travel the globe — from the misty rain forests of Southeast Asia to the sunlit deserts of Central America — to find breakthroughs in fabrics. All the materials are certified by authorities such as USDA and ISO to ensure quality.
Allegorie's Corporate Responsibility
Well, I mean they use fruit and plants as material! This is pretty huge. All products are made in NYC. More than 35% of mangos produced are wasted. It is estimated that 3.7 trillion apples are thrown away each year. That’s almost 50 apples per person!
All of their factories follow strict guidelines to reduce their impact on the environment, including zero emissions of hazardous chemicals, utilizing green energy, and netting zero on water usage.
A final word on Sustainable and Eco Friendly Backpacks
When choosing sustainable and eco friendly backpacks, you have to look at what the company is doing as a whole. One eco backpack in a selection of fast fashion is not going to cut it. There is a ton of greenwashing in this space so it's more important than ever to look for companies that have certification like B Corp or are using third-party certification to ensure what they are claiming is true.
You might be thinking, how can synthetic fabrics be sustainable? In this case, they are being reused and repurposed, which is much better than extracting virgin materials. Keep in mind, backpacks need to be durable, waterproof and withstand the elements. It's why we don't see backpacks made from linen.
What are some other things to consider when choosing an eco backpack? Do your homework because this is one item that takes a pretty big toll on the planet, both from manufacturing to waste. Think of how many backpacks kids go through from kindergarten to college. It's a lot. You have to look at this as a long-term investment and ask yourself what are you using it for?
If it's for work you can opt for something a little more fashion-forward. But if you are going camping and love to hike, bike and enjoy the outdoors, durability is going to be your BFF. Read the reviews on the ones you love, what are people saying about the comfort, durability, materials, etc.
If you need a backpack for a few summer camping trips, you might want to borrow one or even look at thrift or second-hand shops. And even check out Facebook Marketplace, there is a ton of good stuff there as well.
And you will probably need a good pair of sustainable sneakers and of course, you will have to pack a few eco-friendly t-shirts as well.
Have I left anyone out? There are so many to choose from today, please drop a note in the comments below. I'd love to hear from you.
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