If you travel anywhere, chances are you own a suitcase. But many people don’t even think about what goes into making suitcase, luggage tags and passport holders. Many are made from leather, in countries abroad with poor animal welfare and human rights laws. Here are a few better brands, next time you’re in the market to purchase a set of sustainable luggage.
Don’t go too expensive, because airports do indeed lose almost 8 out of 1000 items. It’s best of find something on wheels to avoid bad backs, and it also helps to learn how to pack well, for less stress and no having to pay baggage allowances.
Watson & Wolfe (London is a luxury brand of vegan leather goods, and offers everything from passport holders to weekend bags. These are expensive, but designed to last a lifetime and are an alternative to designer leather bags. Everything is best from eco corn leather, and you can add monogrammed initials, if wished. Some items are made from cork leather (no trees cut down, and a great way to keep forests intact, in a world of plastic wine corks). This crossbody bag is compact yet roomy, with an adjustable shoulder strap and zipped pocket for securing items on short trips, lined with recycled plastic bottles.
accessories (from recycled fire hose)
Elvis & Kresse (also sold at Social Supermarket) creates beautifully crafted luggage and accessories like overnight bags, washbags and belts, all made from decommissioned fire hose that is salvaged from the British Fire Brigade. A few years back, they did use up some recycled leather but that appears to have gone now, so all items should hopefully be vegan-friendly.
In red or yellow, the company offers a repair-for-life on the entire collection and 50% of profits are given The Fire Fighters Charity, which offers support to serving and retired firefighters with everything from physical and mental health issues, to nursing support for injuries. Its dedicated centre in Cumbria helps firefighters and their families also with illness, from strokes and MS to motor neurone disease. The range includes luggage tags and bags also containing reclaimed parachute silk (polyester).
If you’re travelling light, Willow Earth (Sussex) offer nice rucksacks made from cotton canvas and natural cork, with offcuts being made to make nice matching zip purses, card holders and wallets.
zero waste passport holders
This passport holder is made from plastic that has been collected in beach cleans. Easy to clean with a damp cloth, it also contains natural cork so is flexible, and soft to touch. Each on is unique, a blend of pretty colours. Oliver Co also makes luxury vegan leather passport holders, which also holds 2 documents and your boarding pass.
