Last updated on November 4th, 2023 at 03:10 am
A sturdy backpack is a trusted companion throughout your life, regardless of how old you are. Unfortunately, mosty backpacks are made through very unsustainable and resource-intensive processes, rendering them unsuitable from the environment’s perspective. But did you know where there are actually backpacks made from recycled materials? There’s enough material to make stuff for all of us without having to mione virgin resources, so let’s take a look at how recycled backpacks came into being, and which are the best eco-friendly recycled backpacks for long-term use. Complement this post with our round-up of the best eco-friendly luggage brands for sustainable travel.
What Recycled Materials are Used to Make a Backpack?
The key point to remember here is that these backpacks are made from materials that have been recycled from elsewhere. What are some of the common materials used to make an eco-friendly backpack?
Recycled Nylon
Nylon is a plastic that is very commonly used in backpacks (it gives strength and water-resistance, among other qualities, to the backpack). But despite all the pros of plastic, it still is plastic, after all – derived from petroleum products and therefore not eco-friendly at all.
Recycled nylon is obtained from waste nylon extracted from fishing nets, carpets, nylon clothing, etc. The process of recycling nylon is less resource-intensive than virgin nylon, but is more expensive.
Recycled Polyester
Polyester is another common material used in backpacks. Discarded plastic bottles are the major source for recycled polyester (yes, that surprised me!), apart from industrial plastic waste. Removing plastic bottles from the landfill and recycling them into new products is as good a reason as any to opt for recycled polyester products.
Eco-friendly Bio-Polyurethane Coating
A polyurethane (PU) coating is commonly applied to backpacks to make it water resistant. But PU is a petroleum-derived product. So what the environmentally-conscious brands do is use a bio-polyurethane coating instead. Bio-PU does the same job, but it is made from bio-renewable resources such as cashew nuts, vegetable oils, etc.
Some backpacks are made from unique materials, such as Mafia’s backpacks that are made from sail cloth.
How to Choose a Backpack Made From Recycled Materials
It’s a complex world, and therefore it isn’t enough to simply buy a backpack made with recycled materials. What about other vital factors, such as the brand’s fair trade manufacturing practices and carbon footprint, the backpack’s durability, etc?
1 // Quality
It needs to be durable and robust, and likely to last you a very long time of rough usage. This is particularly important for camping, hiking and other rough-use purposes, but any item you buy should be built to last a long time. That is the most bang for the buck in terms of resource use.
2 // Sourcing of the Materials
Look ideally for renewable, biodegradable, non-toxic materials, procured from responsible sources. Of course, polyester is not biodegradable, for example, but we need to make sure the company has procured their materials through ethical means.
3 // Post-sales Service
Choose companies that will service your backpack even after you buy it, and who ideally have a buy-back option for when you’re done with the backpack many years from now. This is not common, but lifetime warranties and repair services are something you should ask for.
4 // Fair Wages and Ethical Labor Practices
We don’t want to end up in a situation where the backpack is perfect, but the people who made them were overworked and underpaid and otherwise exploited. Be prepared to pay a fair price for the backpack, so that the company can, in turn, pay a fair wage to their employees. Stay far away from companies that claim to pay fair wages, and take a high price from you, but then pocket the money themselves and continue to exploit their workers. Look for relevant certification to indicate the ethical company’s labor practices.
The brands listed below have been widely acknowledged as being transparent about their attempt to run their business sustainably and ethically. That, more than anything else, is what we need: honesty about the processes, sources, and labor practices. No company is 100% sustainable, so the aim to get close to 100% is what makes them authentic.
Best Backpacks Made From Recycled Materials
These backpacks are for daily-use purposes, mostly. But the brands that make them manufacture a variety of different types of backpacks, so take the look at their website if you’re looking for, say, a backpack specifically for hiking at high altitudes. Brands listed in alphabetical order.
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1 // Beekeeper Parade
Price: $109–$129
Upcycled backpacks are Beekeeper Parade’s specialty. They use discarded textiles and fabric remnants and transform them into beautiful backpacks, bags, pouches, and more. Their pieces are, due to the nature of the material, quite unique and ‘limited-edition.’
Their community efforts include helping provide access to education to kids in rural Cambodia.
2 // Dakine
Price: $45–$190
Dakine’s backpacks not only pack a powerful punch (they have an entire collection made from recycled, weather-resistant polyester), but they also support social initiatives (they give to many non-profit organizations). The company only uses bluesign-approved materials that are PFC-free.
3 // Fjällräven
Price: $55–$425
Fjällräven was all the rage for a while, but while the hype has petered down, the quality still remains. Besides, the company is over 50 years old, and has always been an advocate for nature and the outdoors, so their sustainability credentials are robust and comprehensive. They use natural and recycled materials, and focus on the durability and recyclability of the finished products. Fjällräven also supports renewable energy projects.
4 // GOT BAG
Price: $99–$149
GOT BAG’s awesome rolltop backpack made out of 100% recycled plastic from the ocean is not only multi-purpose, but it’s super waterproof! The ocean plastic they use is from their own clean-up in Indonesia. They provide continued support and a two-year warranty, and will repair your GOT BAG should you ever need it. They also recycle their own bags (that people have exchanged), so that the plastic “never ends up in the ocean again.”
5 // grünBAG
Price: €128–€199
A company with a solid zero waste practice, grünBAG, for one thing, mostly produces made-to-order bags. Secondly, following their circular design philosophy, they only use repurposed waste materials that are durable, such as used, sails, lifeboats, advertising banners, etc). They have a 30-day return policy in the event that you’re not happy with their bag.
6 // Lo & Sons
Price: $80–$398
Mama Lo was looking for a functional and durable bag, and luckily for us she decided to start a company when she couldn’t find one that made her happy. Lo & Sons’ Recycled Poly Collection, in particular, features bags made from recycled poly, which is a technical fabric made from recycled plastic bottles that otherwise end up in landfills and waterways. Due to this family’s business, they have saved, to date, 1,687,249 bottles from entering the landfills. A significant amount of their products are made from eco-friendly materials. And they’re continuously improving in their effort to, as they say, “minimize harm to the earth.”
7 // MAFIA
Price: $149–$195
MAFIA backpacks are made from upcycled spinnaker, kite sails, windsurf, wetsuits and countless yards of boat sail. It’s a bit like having a love affair with the sea (or the mountains, since they also use salvaged climbing ropes from Yosemite). Their bags are durable (and guaranteed for a lifetime), lightweight, and water-resistant.They employ local people in California to work on their backpacks made from recycled ocean trash.
Psst, if you’re a sailor and have an old sail that you’d like to responsibly get rid of, MAFIA’s your answer. They’ll throw in a free custom backpack for you.
8 // MOBIUS
Price: $52–$128
Mobius famously had a Kickstarter campaign to start off their manufacturing. The fabric, mesh, and webbing in their bags are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles.Even their plastic clips and zippers are made from recycled materials. And what about the algae they keep mentioning? Guess what – the backpack foam padding is made from pond algae. The BLOOM foam is made from algae that is harvested, dried, milled, and turned into a soft, spongy material that makes for good protective lining for the bags.
9 // Opus Mind
Price: $295–$315
Upcycled leather backpacks? Opus Mind is the answer. The company swears by its circular design principles, and founder Kathleen Kuo ensured that the brand uses materials that meet sustainable, RCS-100 standards. They source their upcycled leather from Recyc Leather, a recycled leather manufacturer. Adding more glamour to the product is the fact that Opus Mind makes everything in a small, family-owned factory in Italy.
10 // Paravel
Price: $45–$325
Paravel’s bags are made from recycled plastic bottles, and are perfect for travel, daily use, and for the gym. Their Mini Fold-Up Backpack is made from their Negative Nylon materials, using 10 recycled plastic water bottles.
Paravel offers free carbon-neutral shipping within the US.
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11 // Patagonia
Price: $79–$299
Patagonia has been a trailblazer in sustainably made products for decades. Their collection of backpacks made from recycled polyester and nylon are the perfect example of sustainability over convenience. The company also has transparency as one of its core principles, and are clear about the origins of the recycled materials used in their products. Patagonia also has a collection of used gear, including used backpacks, so check that out as well!
12 // Pinqponq
Price: €129–€249
Pinqponq is a German sustainable backpack and clothing brand. They use fabrics made from 100% recycled PET bottles for their backpacks, which are made in audited factories in Vietnam. They are a member of the Fair Wear Foundation, and focus on their environmental and fair trade responsibilities in their supply chain. The backpacks come in lovely, soothing colors! Pinqponq was officially vegan-approved by PETA in 2017.
Pinqponq currently ships only within Europe, but are available in stores worldwide.
13 // REI
REI is a marketplace that carries several brands, but their own products are also seriously worth trying out. Check out the backpacks made from recycled material in the REI Co-op section, or go through the REI Used Gear section (which is perhaps even more sustainable than buying a new backpack albeit made from recycled materials). The Co-op backpacks are super durable and sustainable, and built for rough use.
14 // Solgaard
Price: $95–$225
Solgaard has a lofty but admirable goal: to help cut ocean plastic in half by 2025. For every item sold, Solgaard, in partnership with The Plastic Bank, removes 229 ocean-bound plastic bottles. The salvaged plastic gets upcycled into their products (such as the Shore-Tex collection).
But how good is their actual backpack? Their backpacks are made from recycled ocean plastic, but they also have additional functional features to make them super attractive. For example, some of their backpacks have a solar-powered phone charger (who wouldn’t find use for that!), Bluetooth speakers, anti-theft locks, secret compartments, and a drop-proof laptop sleeve. Pretty darn cool!
15 // Solo New York
Price: Starting from $25
Solo New York’s Re:cycled collection of backpacks is not only made from recycled plastic bottles, but it is the result of an innovative process that uses 50% less energy, 20% less water, and 60% less air pollution than more conventional backpacks. The bags go even further in terms of eco-friendliness, with all tags, strings, and stuffing made from 100% recycled and biodegradable materials.
Solo New York offers a 50% discount for US first responders, military and government employees.
16 // State
Price: $60–$175
Looking for personalized backpacks made from recycled materials? Check out State. They have a variety of stylish options especially for kids. State also donates backpacks (with supplies) to school kids, and works with several schools and charities to support children and families in need.
17 // United By Blue
Price: $88–$168
United By Blue uses recycled plastic bottles, recycled polyester, organic cotton and vegetable-tanned leather to craft their exceptional backpacks that are perfect for the outdoors. Not only does every product of theirs effectively remove one pound of trash from the ocean, but it comes with a lifetime guarantee. Their bags are 100% vegan, water-resistant, and stain resistant.
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Where to Buy Secondhand Backpacks?
These places have backpacks that are either brand new (with tags), gently used, or showing signs of wear. You can find more affordable options here, aside from the fact that secondhand products are more eco-friendly.
thredUP
Patagonia
REI
These backpacks are, fortunately, long-lasting, so I hope you find this list useful.
If you liked this post, please share it with your friends. Thank you!<3
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NOTE: All brand photographs belong to the respective brands/businesses.
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