Adventure Without The Footprint: Zero Waste Rucksacks

Backpacks are very popular in England, especially for students and travellers. But if made with plastic or nylon (another kind of plastic) this is just drilling more oil to make disposable plastic waste later on.

Choosing a recycled plastic backpack is a great way to divert waste from landfills, while enjoying a durable and water-resistant bag. As well as helping to reduce the amount of littered plastic bottles on land and sea, making fabrics from recycled materials using far less water and energy.

And of course you are not indirectly supporting the oil industry, which indirectly then supports wars.

Recycled plastic is a very resilient material, which is hard to tear or scratch. Ideal for commuting or outdoor adventures, it’s an ideal fabric to use for backpacks with padded sections to protect laptops, and anti-theft pockets.

Where to recycle unwanted backpacks

You can either donate them to small independent charity shops (avoid the big brands that use funds to test on animals). For worn, ripped or stained backpacks, you can place them at your local textile bank (materials are shredded to make industrial  goods).

You can usually just wipe-clean rucksacks. Launder synthetic materials in a microfiber 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 cotton canvas and vegan 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.

Wave Upcycled Roll Top Backpack

This roll top backpack is stylish and sustainable, with up to 40 plastic bottles upcycled to make each one. Made for everyday use and travel, this waterproof bag has padded adjust able straps, to keep your arms comfortable and items safe and dry.

The backpack features:

• A roll-top closing system with zip closure
• An inside padded pocket to keep laptops up  to 17 inches)
• A secure velcro strap
• Organiser pockets

Who made this backpack?

Wave Case, a company that makes wheat straw biodegradable phone cases. It was founded by two friends in the northeast of England, who were aghast at local plastic pollution in the seas. So they set up a plastic-free brand, and are proud to support Surfers Against Sewage, in their mission to clean up our oceans.

How to maintain this backpack

Keep away from excessive heat. You can just wipe it clean. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners. Due to synthetic materials, if laundered use a microfiber filter.

Shipped carbon neutral (free for orders over £40 – why not buy one of their wheat straw phone cases alongside?) The backpack is sold with a 30-day returns and 1-year guarantee. 10% discount for students.

8000 Kicks hemp rucksacks

8000 Kicks are made from industrial hemp, which is an anti-bacterial fabric that needs almost no water to grow, is durable and restores nutrients in soil as it grows. Hemp is so strong that Henry Ford even built a car out of it! These amazing backs are even waterproof!

Hemp is only slightly related to cannabis (it won’t make you high!) Able to grow locally in England and Europe (unlike cotton), it removes heavy metals from the soil as it grows organically, and also needs very little water to grow.

As we have increasing issues with microplastics, many countries are now reversing bans on growing hemp, knowing that it can be used to make clothing, paper, rope, and even nutritious seeds that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids.

We could create a huge hemp revolution in England, growing hemp on farms organically, to make lots of items that are presently imported like notebooks, clothing and even casual shoes.

Recycled military canvas rucksacks

This lightweight and compact backpack is made from upcycled military canvas and recycled inner tubes. Ideal for daily commutes, travel or exploring, it’s spacious inside with a padded interior sleeve for a tablet or small laptop, and smart compartments to keep your essentials organised.

The streamlined design has adjustable cushioned shoulder straps to avoid strain, the perfect companion for a holiday for the weekend. It’s water-resistant and easily folded away.

Also features a double zip top closure, padded interior slip pocket and front/back zip compartments for easy access. And a top grab handle. Also easy to wipe clean. Capacity 10 litres.

All items are made by a social enterprise in the UK, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, helping craftsmen worldwide to make a profit, while living a good life. A portion of profits are donating to charities transforming lives and cleaning up our oceans.

This urban backpack has many compartments and zip pockets to keep belongings organised, and comfortable wide adjustable shoulder pads with breathable mesh, to avoid shoulder strain.

This durable and water-resistant backpack can tackle any weather or adventure your throw its way. The padded inside compartment is perfect to safeguard a table or laptop.

There is also a quick-access external back zip pocket for travel essentials and a hook top with Velcro top, for added security. Just wipe clean for lasting use.

This backpack/tote is made from a blend of upcycled military canvas and recycled inner tubes. Inspired by the old French name Jewell (meaning ‘generous’), this truly lives up to its name. It effortless transitions from a chic tote to a comfortable backpack, making it the perfect companion for commuting, travel or work.

The compact silhouette includes a padded laptop compartment, multiple zip pockets (including a double zip top closure), side slot pockets for bottles, and a top grab handle. It also has concealed trolley sleeves and a secure internal sleeve for your tech essentials.

Junkbox Apparel eco 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.

Mopak eco recycled rucksacks

Mopak is a London bag that makes funky bags and accessories, from recycled plastic, rather than it going to landfill. The company recycles over 700 tonnes of plastic bottles each year, and also only uses vegan leathers for accents, to help barnyard friends (most leather is made in the far east, with poor animal welfare laws.

All items are top quality, and go through rigorous testing, designed to last for years.

The range includes:

• Backpacks
• Pouches
• Duffel bags
• Sling bags
• Tote bags

The Air Convert Totepack offers  a chameleon choice, which morphs to whatever you want it to be – a backpack or sling bag. And others are designed to stand upright, or use with your bicycle.

Although recycled plastic is not great for clothing as it releases microplastics in washing machines, for accessories that are not washed, it’s a great idea. If laundering synthetic materials, use a microfiber filter.

The more plastic waste we use up, the less demand there is for new plastic. And as plastic is made from oil, that means less demand for it. And that means less wars. So choosing recycled plastic helps world peace!

Labante luxury vegan leather rucksacks

LaBante’s vegan ladies backpack is the perfect faux leather accessory for your everyday needs, whether for work or travel. With double inner spacious compartments, it has two fastening belts so it’s easy to adjust to fit.

An attached chain from the centre zip puller adds a touch of style and femininity.

This backpack is made from apple leather, a vegan leather made from partly-recycling apples leftover from the food industry in northern Italy.

Why offer designer rucksacks?

This backpack is expensive, but from a brand designed to offer alternatives to designer brands. Most of us prefer more affordable accessories. But it’s important for some brands to offer alternativse to those who pay lots of money for designer brands, many of which cause animal suffering and pollution.

It’s all very well saying that the prices for designer goods are too high. But like it or not, there are millions of people who do buy designer leather and suede accessories, and will only buy vegan versions of similar price.

If we want a kinder world for all creatures, it’s important to support all brands that are offering alternatives, to suit the whims of each person’s fashion style and choice. It’s the only way to change things.