Are Backpacks Eco-Friendly?
Sustainable fashion should not end at revolutionizing the clothing industry. When picking the right accessories that positively affect the environment, it is almost easy to overlook the importance of paying attention to the details in everyday items like backpacks. There are hundreds of brands all over the world that make different kinds of backpacks. Let’s find out if backpacks are as eco-friendly as they should be.
What Are Eco-friendly Backpacks?
For many years, backpacks have been a great part of nearly every person’s life. — from the days of being a kid headed off to school to adulthood, college, and work. The item has been a staple for so long, so it is easy to overlook the minute details surrounding the backpack industry’s ethical and environmentally inclined aspects. Regular non-sustainable backpacks are traditionally made from non-biodegradable and hazardous materials such as polyester and plastic fibres.
These materials are hazardous because they are incredibly complicated to produce, such that they cause a tremendous amount of pollution during manufacturing alone. Since many are fast fashion, they are manufactured as quickly and cheaply as possible, usually in smaller countries where labour laws are not as rigid as they need to be. In addition to the hazardous production processes of these non-sustainable bags, they are also harmful to the environment post-production. When washed or thrown away, these non-biodegradable materials shed microplastics into the ground and waterways, thus continuing the never-ending cycle of pollution.
On the other hand, Eco-friendly backpacks are made of recycled materials or, sometimes, easily sustainable materials. This way, they do not contribute to the pollution of the environment. They also tend to be much more durable than the non-sustainable fast-fashion backpacks.
How Are They Made?
Aside from fulfilling our academic, sporting-related, and office needs, backpacks are great companions for many other activities. This great burden of functionality means they have to be as resilient and reliable as possible. A wide range of eco-friendly materials can be used to make backpacks and several other kinds of bags. These include recycled materials such as recycled plastics, recycled leather, cotton materials, and canvas fabrics.
These materials are known to put very little stress on the environment as they tend to be longer-lasting than their peers. The production process of many eco-friendly backpacks is never as hazardous as their non-sustainable counterparts.
Most Popular Eco-friendly Brands
Many people might think sustainable, environment-friendly backpacks may not be as desirable as non-environment-friendly products. This is not the case, as many prominent backpack designers and brands are just as conscious of the environment as you are!
Bellroy is a classic example of a brand that uses recycled plastic bottles to make backpacks. Let’s have a look at the video below:
Eco-friendly backpacks can be as fun and varied as you imagine, coming in different sizes, shapes, colours, and designs. Some popular eco-friendly backpack brands include Terra Thread, with 100% organic and Fairtrade cotton backpacks. Ecogear’s Mohave Tui II backpacks are also made of Repreve recycled fibre Looptworks’ 100% upcycled backpacks. Solo New York, Fjällräven, Apple Park, United by Blue, and Baggu are great eco-friendly backpack brands.
Backpacks that are sustainable and eco-friendly are typically made from recycled and certified organic materials and are produced through processes that conserve rather than deplete energy and natural resources. There is plenty to be enjoyed when deciding to forgo non-sustainable backpack options and pick the more environment-friendly alternatives. Saving the planet does start with seemingly small but powerful decisions like this.