Morgan Scott October 29, 2020 Women

15 Best Recycled Backpacks – Some brands will surprise you!

Morgan Scott October 29, 2020 Women

When picking out a new backpack, it’s important to be conscious of whether our purchases are making a positive impact on our environment. Choosing a recycled backpack means less waste while also encouraging sustainable manufacturing and supporting initiatives that really make a difference. It’s a little thing we can do to make a big difference over time!

In this buying guide we list our favorite backpacks that made from recycled materials and list a few of our favorite eco-friendly brands. And with more brands now offering backpacks made from recycled materials than ever before, some bags on this list may really surprise you!

Best Recycled Backpacks

Everlane ReNew Transit Backpack

Everlane

Everlane has really made a commitment to sustainability with their ReNew collection of garments and accessories. The ReNew Transit backpack is a recycled backpack made from plastic bottles which would have otherwise ended up in landfills. Along with being an ethically sourced recycled backpack, the ReNew Transit Backpack is also stylish and incredibly functional. Designed to be used as both a travel backpack and a daily driver, the ReNew Transit is perfect for busy people who want to help make a difference. For a more details make sure to check out our Everlane ReNew Transit backpack review.

• Materials: 100% recycled polyester from recycled bottles

Day Owl Backpack

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Day Owl is a brand who’s mission is to offer a stylish backpack using the best sustainably sourced materials and ethical labor practices. The result is a functional backpack for work, travel and play that is made of 100% post-consumer plastic bottles and ethically sourced leather and metal. We did an entire Day Owl review that is worth checking out if you would like to learn more about all of its awesome features.

• Materials: First Mile wax canvas made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, recycled polyester lining and trim. Ethically sourced leather and zippers.

Monarc Settra Duffel Backpack

Shop on Monarc

In 2020 Monarc set out to design the world’s most eco-friendly 2-in-1 duffel backpack and it’s safe to say that they did exactly that with their flagship Settra Duffel Backpack. Each bag is made from 50 recycled bottles and the brand has made it a mission to offer a premium sustainable product that is as functional as it is stylish.

You can purchase the Monarc Settra Duffel Backpack by itself or take advantage of the Settra Series bundle that includes modular inserts for tech, photography and travel. This allows the Settra to adapt to life’s adventures without a hitch.

• Materials: Recycled fabric. Each bag is made from 50 recycled bottles

Tentree Mobius Backpack

Tentree

When it comes to backpacks made from recycled materials, few brands are as committed to social responsibility as Tentree. The Mobius backpack is special thanks to its multi-size design that allows you to compress it down to a smaller size for daily wear or expand it all the way up to 35 liters when you need more room. This makes the Mobius perfect as a daily, outdoor or travel backpack! Every material in backpack’s construction comes from sustainable sources – from the recycled polyester main body to the foam padding and zippers.

• Materials: Made of REPREVE Recycled Polyester. Each backpack uses 31 recycled plastic bottles. Hardware and trim are made of recycled post-industrial factory waste.

Targus Cyprus Slim EcoSmart Backpack

Targus

Targus is a brand known for it’s innovative tech accessories and with their EcoSmart collection the brand has decided to offer backpacks made from recycled materials for a more eco-friendly approach to production. 

The Targus Cypress Slim backpack is stylish tech backpack designed from the ground up for daily carry of essentials like a laptop, tablet and accessories. Its generous 17-liter main compartment is perfect for busy days while still keeping the backpack light weight and streamlined.

• Materials: Fabric used in each backpack is woven from 20 recycled water bottles

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Osprey Porter Travel Backpack

Osprey

The Osprey Porter is a travel backpack for anyone who is serious about comfort, ease-of-use and style. The Porter comes in a few different sizes; 30 liters, 46 liters and 65 liters to accommodate just about any trip! Fans of Osprey will love that the Porter is also a recycled travel bag thanks to Osprey’s dedication to using only bluesign®-approved recycled materials throughout the line.

• Materials:  bluesign®-approved Recycled Polyester and Nylon Packcloth

North Face Jester

Buy on Amazon

The North Face Jester is one of The North Face’s most popular backpack designs and it’s easy to see why! This versatile backpack is perfect for short trips, daily carry or weekends out on the trail. With their newest Jester update, The North Face has decided to switch to recycled materials for its construction giving the Jester a more sustainable design.

• Materials: Recycled 600D Polyester

Patagonia Refugio

Patagonia

The Patagonia Refugio is one our favorite backpacks for it’s versatility and functionality. Not only does it make a great daily backpack but it also packs a punch as a travel bag too! Available both in a men’s fit and women’s fit, the Patagonia Refugio is also eco-friendly thanks to its recycled material construction. If you are looking for a well-made and highly functional recycled backpack then the Patagonia Refugio won’t disappoint!

• Materials: 50% recycled Nylon and 100% recycled polyester liner

United By Blue Transit

United by Blue

The United By Blue Transit backpack is a 25 liter backpack that is perfect for daily commutes, travel and weekend adventures on the trail thanks to a rugged construction that can handle anything thrown its way! What we love most about the Transit is that it’s made almost entirely of recycled materials – everything from the exterior fabrics to the mesh padding in the back panel is recycled! United By Blue has also made a commitment of only using ethical labor to manufacture their bags which is something we can get behind.

• Materials: Made from recycled plastic bottles with ethical labor

Pacsafe Cruise Anti-Theft Backpack

Pacsafe

Pacsafe offers a small recycled materials backpack for those who want to keep things stylish but simple. The Cruise is large enough to carry important essentials while being small enough to avoid a bulky profile. The Cruise is also designed to be completely anti-theft, making it perfect for travel or city commuters. 

In recent years Pacsafe has really stepped up their sustainability efforts by offering more backpacks and bags made out of recycled plastic textiles. In fact, the brand’s goal is to have 74% of their products use recycled fabrics by 2021. Pacsafe already has a great line of bags that are already using recycled materials and we are excited to see what designs they add in the future!

• Materials: Polyester main body and lining made from recycled bottles

Fjallraven Vardag

Buy on Amazon

The Fjallraven Vardag is a light and comfortable everyday pack made with a timeless design that won’t go out of style. This backpack is made of Fjallraven’s own G-1000 HeavyDuty Eco S –  an incredibly durable and water resistant fabric that is made from recycled polyester and organic cotton. This fabric is not only sustainable but it also takes durability to a new level and gives you an incredibly tough backpack that will last the test of time. If your goal is to buy once and buy less, then the Fjallraven Vardag is one of the best recycled backpacks being offered today.

• Materials: G-1000 HeavyDuty Eco S (recycled polyester and organic cotton)

Solo NY Re:Claim Backpack

Solo New York

Solo has committed themselves to sustainability with their new Re:cycled collection of recycled backpacks and bags. These backpacks are made of recycled water bottles that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill. With the Re:Claim Backpack, Solo offers a stylish laptop backpack for urban carry and weekend travel and it’s one of our favorites from the new collection.

• Materials: Recycled PET Polyester (from plastic bottles)

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Peak Design Everyday Backpack V2

Buy on REI

Designed as a camera, everyday and light travel bag – the Peak Design Everyday Backpack V2 is a new take on carry for busy lifestyles. This backpack is best known for its innovative main compartment access that allows you to enter the inside from the sides or top of the backpack. When it comes to sustainability, Peak Design includes 100% recycled exterior fabric that is tough and weatherproof to protect your important gear.

• Materials: bluesign® approved 100% recycled weatherproof outer fabric

Patagonia Tamangito Pack

Patagonia

The Patagonia Tamangito is a small daybag made for those on the move! Each Tamangito is made with recycled fabrics and is coated with a DWR finish for unmatched weather resistance. This means you can take your Tamangito on your next hike or wear the pack for a quick trip to the market with peace of mind that your stuff will stay nice and dry in the rain!

• Materials: Recycled Nylon, Recycled Polyester, Nonfluorinated DWR

Incase Commuter Backpack w/ BIONIC

Incase

The Incase Commuter Backpack w/ BIONIC is Incase’s first backpack made from recycled materials and we think the brand has hit the ball out of the park! This backpack has everything we have come to expect from the brand: unmatched laptop protection, great pockets for tech and a clean and minimalist design. Each bag is made from recovered plastic pollution found in marine and coastal environments. This means with each purchase you are supporting important environmental cleanup and recycling initiatives. 

• Materials: BIONIC Ripstop (each bag = 26 recovered plastic bottles)

Pacsafe Go Anti-Theft Backpack

Pacsafe

Pacsafe offers a cute recycled backpack with its Go Anti-Theft series. The Go Anti-Theft backpack offers the same security features that Pacsafe travel bags are known for but in a more compact everyday carry design. The Go features a 13” laptop sleeve, lots of great practical pockets and is available in fun color options. The best part? The Pacsafe Go Anti-Theft Backpack is made from recycled materials! Each backpack is made from 21 recycled bottles that would have otherwise ended up in landfills.

• Materials: Recycled polyester made from recycled plastic bottles

Our Favorite Eco-Friendly Backpack Brands

Everlane

Shop Everlane

Everlane is best known for their transparent business model that puts stylish basics at direct-to-consumer prices. This also involves making sure that their clothing is made in ethical factories that promote fair wages and safe working environments.

In recent years Everlane has really stepped up to offer eco-friendly clothing and accessories with their ReNew Collection. This collection uses recycled plastic instead of virgin materials in everything from modern bags, stylish tops and cozy outerwear. You can learn more about the ReNew Collection here.

Monarc

Shop Monarc

From day one Monarc’s focus has been on offering sustainable products that divert plastic waste from oceans and landfills. Their flagship Settra bag is a recycled travel backpack and gym-duffel that uses fabric made from plastic bottles. If you are looking for a large recycled bag for travel, workouts and outdoor adventures then Monarc is definitely a brand you’ll want to check out.

Tentree

Shop Tentree

Tentree is a brand rooted in the belief that we all have a responsibility to protect and preserve the Earth we live in. The brand’s goal is to plant 1 Billion Trees by 2030 and they have already helped plant over 30 million trees in restored land across 8 countries. Talk about making a difference!

Their clothing and backpacks are not just ethically manufactured but all materials used are also eco-friendly and recycled. If you are looking for a backpack brand that takes environmentalism seriously, then Tentree is worth a closer look. Learn more about the Tentree initiative here. 

United By Blue

Shop United By Blue

United By Blue is more than just a clothing brand. They are also a certified B Corp that focuses on giving back through multiple eco-friendly initiatives. For every product purchased, United by Blue removes one pound of trash from oceans and waterways. The brand focuses both on sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing to make sure each product they offer makes a measurable impact from start to finish. You can learn more about the brand’s mission and initiatives here.

Day Owl

Shop Day Owl

Day Owl started as a backpack brand with a strong focus on sustainability. Each Day Owl Backpack is not only made from an ethical supply chain but each bag is also guaranteed for life! This means that the Day Owl was made to be repaired, not thrown away. As for sustainability, each Day Owl backpack is made from up to 25 plastic bottles saved from landfills and saves 700 gallons of water when compared to other cotton bags. The Day Owl’s clean design and amazing features makes also makes it a favorite women’s work backpack and business casual backpack of ours.

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