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As much as we want to decrease our carbon footprint when traveling, it can be hard to give up on domestic flights or road trips for fun weekend getaway. So, why not play our part with an eco friendly duffel bag or backpack instead?
How to choose an environmentally friendly duffel bag or backpack.
There are a few factors to consider when choosing a greener bag for conscious traveling, such as:
a) The materials used.
You could opt for a product free from man-made materials and plastics, such as hemp.
Or you might want to avoid animal products, such as wool and leather.
b) The use of recycled materials to create them.
If you want a more durable nylon bag, you can find companies that use recycled plastics instead of creating new materials.
c) Environmental processes during manufacture.
Some companies will also make a point of highlighting their greener production methods, such as eco-dying.
d) The air miles on the finished product.
Was the product made locally or shipped in from another country?
e) Any additional aspects to the ethics and practices of the company.
Some brands are keen to highlight appeals and issues, with many using their profits to give back.
Of course, you also have to be sure that the travel bag you choose is spacious enough, easy to carry, and has all the features you need for your use.
Here, We’ve picked 5 of the best eco friendly travel bags, as follow:
There are plenty of reasons to love InCase if you are looking for a sustainable duffel bag. The materials are a good starting point, with some great synthetics treated in an environmentally friendly manner. This includes the eco-dying process that uses less water and fewer chemicals. A bonus is that these durable bags are made in the US – so fewer air miles.
The duffel itself is pretty good too. It is one of the more spacious options, making it ideal for long weekends and business trips. A standout feature here is the 15” laptop pocket with faux-fur padding. You can also remove the shoulder strap as needed to make this more convenient. It is definitely one of the more practical and mature options. A modern and lightweight tech optimized travel bag with airline compliant carry-on size – perfect for all kind of green travelers.
2) Paravel Foldable Travel Duffel.
The company claim that it is made from 22 recycled bottles, which is subsequently means less trash went in to the landfill.
The reason that this is better as a weekend bag is the capacity. Some people love the thin shape because it is so easy to carry, while others find they have to be more selective over what they pack. Still, there is the added benefit of being able to fold this flat and pack it in its own pouch. This gives it a secondary purpose as a spare bag when on vacation. The bag also looks great with colorful nylon and color-coordinated handles.
3) Vera Bradley Lighten Up Reactive Duffel.
It isn’t just Paravel making the most of recycled plastic in their luggage. Vera Bradley has recently released an updated line called Reactive that similarly uses recycled bottles. Cynics might say that they are jumping on the bandwagon, but it is nice to see them being transparent. The materials also seem to be pretty durable, which adds to its “greenness”. The longer we can use the same bag, the better.
This greener travel bag is a great choice for those with bigger travel plans in mind. It is the most spacious of the bags in this guide and ideal for those making the most of baggage allowances. The duffel measures 15 by 15 by 29 inches and has some extra zippered pockets. What makes this one even more practical is the ability to use suitcase wheels and a telescoping handle while traveling. Overall, this is a great pick for those that find standard duffels too difficult or awkward to use.
This next environmentally friendly travel bag is a bit of a box ticker when it comes to its green credentials, design, practical features, and appeal for different situations. Again, there is a nice use of recycled materials here. But, the company decided to go one step better by actively working to deal with plastic waste. The promise is that one purchase equals 1lb of plastic taken out of the oceans.
The bag is an attractive totepack, which means it can be both a backpack and a tote. You can use the secure weatherproof tote for basic day-to-day needs and then convert it to the backpack for weekends away or going to classes. It has a 13” laptop pocket inside and a 25L capacity in total. There is also a helpful pocket on the side for your reusable water bottle, and it comes in plenty of fun designs.
This is a product that you are either going to love or hate, but it was worth adding for an alternative approach. There will be people reading this unsure about using plastics – even if they are from recycled bottles. That is when a 100% hemp traveller’s bag becomes an attractive notion. The downside is that these authentic made in Nepal bags do pick up some air miles.
The backpack is fun with a traditional bohemian design that will appeal to many college kids and older generations that like the “hippy” vibe. It is a fun bag for day trips and college more than bigger travel plans. But, it is still spacious enough for essentials for a festival and also has an internal laptop compartment.
So, Which one is the right eco friendly travel bag for you?
In short, there are lots of bags with different styles, materials, and practical features. More and more brands are turning to recycled plastic and making attractive and durable duffel bags from them. The choice is broader than you might think.