Zero Waste Vegan Rucksacks and Backpacks
Whether you are hiking in the hills or back-packing around Europe, here are some of the best sustainable rucksacks on sale, a good investment to last years, when time comes to replace. These are better choices than nylon (a synthetic material made from virgin oil) or leather (often made in countries with poor animal welfare laws).
You can usually just wipe-clean rucksacks. Launder synthetic materials in a microfibre filter. Donate unwanted rucksacks to small charity shops (that don’t test on animals). For items that are worn out, ripped or stains, place in local textile banks (materials are shredded to make industrial goods).
Willow Earth (canvas and vegan leather rucksacks)
Willow Earth (Sussex) is a company that makes beautiful rucksacks from strong cotton canvas, with natural cork logos. It uses offcuts to make pretty wallets and purses, so there’s no waste.
Cork is a ‘vegan leather’ that is made by stripping the bark of trees in Spain and Portugal every nine years or so, but the trees are not cut down. Keeping the cork industry alive (in a world of plastic wine corks) is a good way to save these forests from being cut down for development, which in turn protects local wildlife that use the forests for food and shelter.
This brand also makes vegan leather backpacks, made from an eco-leather that is partly made from recycled pineapple waste, from the fruit industry.
It has a strong metal clasp at the front, a zipped pocket and multiple interior pockets. And easily can fit a 13in laptop.
Junkbox Apparel (recycled polyester rucksacks)
JunkBox Apparel (Wales) was created to make eco-rucks, by a keen traveller who wanted something fun and comfortable:
The Everyday is a fun mustard roll-top bag, small and compact. It has a zip pocket for glasses and keys, a front zipped organiser for wallet, keys and pen – plus a padded back panel and shoulder straps.
The Adventurer features a padded laptop compartment and a small front zipper pocket for your keys, phone and wallet. Plus a padded back panel and base, with adjustable shoulder straps.
A Roll Top Backpack (from recycled plastic bottles)
This roll top backpack is made from up to 40 recycled plastic bottles, designed by the company that makes wheat straw biodegradable phone cases.
Due to its previous use, this backpack is waterproof, and features adjustable straps and 18L storage. Ideal for going about town, college or the office – or even backpacking abroad.
The main compartment has an inside padded laptop pocket, a secure Velcro strap and organiser pockets. Perfect for taking your goods from here to there!
