Whether you’re packing things for a move, travelling, or just on the go, having the right backpack is essential. But, with so many on the market, you must be wondering how you can choose the perfect eco backpack. You want to consider both environmental and practical factors to ensure you end up with the very best eco backpack.
In this article, I’ll break down everything you need to know to choose the perfect eco backpack. I’ll be going through the environmental side first, before moving on to practical features. By reading through this guide, you’ll know exactly what you need to consider before buying. Let’s get into it!
The perfect eco backpack needs the right materials
When looking for the perfect eco backpack, you’re going to want to make sure the materials are up to scratch. Not only do you want materials that are sustainable, but you also want something durable. There’s no point buying a bag if it’s going to break after a bit of wear and tear!
Luckily, durability is not something that we’re going to compromise on. Considering the rising awareness around how the fast fashion industry is damaging our planet, sustainable fabrics are becoming more popular. The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee of 2019 reported that ‘textile production contributes more to climate change than international aviation and shipping combined’. There is a lot at stake when it comes to textiles! Bringing popularity to sustainable fabric brings investment money that can further improve their patents. You can be a part of this positive change!
When looking for a durable material that’s sustainable, you’ve got a lot of different fabrics to work with. If you’re looking for something that is as durable as can be, try looking for Apple Eco Leather, also known as Furmat. Developed in the Tyrol region in Italy, Furmat uses apple-waste as its main component. That’s right, the leftover bits from producing apple juice are manufactured into an incredibly strong final material. Its thickness has made it renowned in recent years. If you’re looking for a backpack that will last you years, this is one material you should look into.
But, that said, there are plenty of other great sustainable materials to choose from. One of my favourite materials is hemp, which is fantastic for saving water throughout the production process. It’s also carbon-neutral and extremely durable – much more than cotton! We’ve written a list of the most environmentally-friendly textiles if you want to learn even more!
Once you’ve chosen your material, now you’ve got to think about the dyes used
Surprisingly, fabrics don’t always come naturally in the colours they’re sold in. Fabrics go through a process of industrial dying, where they are mixed with chemicals to change their appearance. Whilst this can look great, it isn’t the most eco-friendly process.
Recently, companies have been turning to natural dyeing. By using different parts of plants, like the roots, bark, leaves, flowers, or fruits, you can naturally obtain a wide variety of colours. If your eco backpack is naturally dyed, you know it has avoided a long process of chemical dyeing. This is much better for the environment in the long term.
To choose the perfect eco backpack, it needs to be spacious
Alongside environmental and ecological reasons for buying a green backpack, you also need to think about practicality.
No matter if you’re only taking your laptop, or carting a whole wardrobe on the go, you are going to need enough space. There are a lot of different sized backpacks out there, ranging from around 10 litres right up to 60+. But what exactly does that mean? How much space will you realistically need?
If you’re going on a hiking holiday, you’re going to need a much bigger bag than normal. These will start around 50+ litres. However, it’s rare that you’re going to need a bag that’s quite so big.
A perfectly sized backpack normally contains around 25 litres. This size is big enough to hold common items, as well as some items of clothing. You’ll be able to make longer trips, as well as pack lightly for shorter journeys.
If your bag is around 25 litres, you’re on the right track. Next, just check that there are lots of pockets to compartmentalise everything, and you’re on to a winner!
When choosing the perfect eco backpack, you’ve got to ask the right questions. Do they use sustainable materials? Does the company stay environmentally friendly throughout their manufacturing process? Will the bag meet my practical demands? By sticking to these three questions, you’ll be able to work out if you’ve found the perfect bag for you.
If you’re looking for more reasons to look into an environmentally friendly backpack, we’ve written a neat guide for you.
Has this inspired you to get an eco backpack? Let us know in the comments down below.
