5 eco-friendly backpacks you can feel good about wearing — including one made from recycled bottles
A great backpack can help you carry all your essentials, and the best eco-friendly backpacks are made from materials that are sustainably sourced and durable enough to last. “Eco-friendly” is a broad term that’s used to describe something that is not harmful to the environment. Companies that attempt to reduce environmental harm may have garnered B Corporation (B Corp) certification — which means they maintain high standards of environmental performance — or may be members of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, an industry alliance that aims to minimize harm to the environment. But non-certified companies can still create backpacks with more environmentally friendly materials and may have sustainability-focused programs in place. In these cases, the brand will indicate if a product is made from recycled or organic materials, or if it participates in programs like bag recycling.
Eco-friendly bags are often made from recycled materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. Many options have shells made of recycled synthetic materials, such as nylon, polyester, and fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles. Another popular material is organic cotton, which offers the durability of conventional cotton without the use of synthetic pesticides or harmful fertilizers and uses significantly less water in the production process.
As with any backpack, look for a design that meets your needs. An everyday commuter or school backpack should have different compartments to keep your items organized, including a protective laptop compartment. A hiking or travel pack should be able to carry upwards of 20 liters and feature weight-distributing straps. And if you’re on a budget, you can find a basic backpack under $50.
Read on for five eco-friendly backpacks in a variety of styles and sizes.
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01The commuter backpack
You wouldn’t guess it from its sleek design, but the Bellroy Classic Backpack is made from recycled plastic bottles. The woven fabric is water-resistant and durable, and the backpack has a capacity of 20 liters.
The best commuter backpacks are stylish but supportive too and this one is no exception; it has padded straps and a padded back that "hugs" your body so that you can comfortably carry the weight of your computer and other heavy items. Keep everything organized with the internal and external compartments, which include interior pen slips, a padded interior laptop pocket, and an easy-access zippered compartment at the top for your phone.
This backpack comes in the olive green hue pictured above, as well as some neutral colors and a few fun, color-blocked options. Bellroy is a certified B Corp that aims to make long-lasting products with recyclable or biodegradable materials, and without hazardous toxins or excessive energy consumption. On top of all that, this bag comes with a three-year warranty.
One reviewer says: “Great bag for daily carry. For once I feel my laptop is actually safe inside of a backpack. Perfect for people who need one bag for everywhere they go: the gym, work, classes, and everything in between. Good material and sturdy build. Pockets are well placed and the interior pocket is very stretchy and usable for bigger items.”
02The hiking backpack
With 24 liters of space, the Cotopaxi Luzon Backpack is perfect for day hikes, bike rides, and other outdoor activities. The lightweight backpack features hip and sternum straps for support, and the panels that make up the exterior are constructed from remnant nylon. The spacious main compartment features a secure drawstring closure and has a sleeve for carrying a 2-liter hydration reservoir, while the exterior features a zippered pocket for keeping small items within reach.
What makes this backpack really stand out is that it's part of Cotopaxi’s Del Dia line, which uses high-quality, 100% repurposed fabric and allows the sewers to choose which colors they'd like to use for each bag — which means each bag is completely one of a kind. Cotopaxi is a certified B Corp.
One reviewer says: “This daypack is awesome! I love the random, unique twist each daypack has. I just ordered another one for my wife. This pack is well made and durable. This is perfect for bike packing and hiking.”
03The school backpack
This Fjällräven backpack is made with a blend of 65% recycled polyester and 35% organic cotton that is designed to last and also water-resistant to keep your books and papers dry. The shoulder straps and back panel are padded for extra comfort.
The pack has a 20-liter capacity and the main pocket offers a padded sleeve that fits laptops up to 15 inches. Store smaller items in the front pocket and the slim fleece-lined pocket on top, and slide water bottles into the exterior side pockets. The backpack is available in 13 different colors.
Fjällräven is a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) and the Fair Labor Association (FLA), and they set out to design and produce their products as sustainably as possible.
One reviewer says: “I've used this backpack for a year of school so far and it is going strong. I love the durability, the pockets, the comfort of how it rests on my shoulders. I would recommend this.”
04The travel backpack
With a 35-liter capacity, Cotopaxi's Allpa Travel Pack has plenty of space to carry what you need for your next trip — plus it's carry-on compatible. The main compartment is laid out like a suitcase with a full-wrap zipper, along with a large zippered mesh compartment on the right side and subdivided zippered mesh compartments on the left side. The padded laptop compartment keeps your device safe and easy to access while you're on the go. And the backpack itself has four exterior handles so that you can grab it from every angle.
The backpack's harness system keeps weight distributed comfortably, with contoured shoulder straps, a hip belt, and a sternum strap. (You can also tuck away the shoulder straps and hip belt to prevent them from snagging on anything in transit.) The backpack's shell is made of TPU-coated 1,000-denier polyester and 1,680-denier ballistic nylon paneling, and the back has a breathable, flexible mesh panel to increase air circulation. The bag is fairly water-resistant, according to Amazon reviewers, but it also comes with a high-visibility rain cover, just in case you need more protection.
This travel backpack comes in several neutral and bright colors, and since Cotopaxi is a certified B Corp, you can feel good about using their products.
One reviewer says: “I’ve been alternating between hard [carry-on] luggage with wheels and the giant hiker backpacks. Neither did the trick. This bag does. It works like a Samsonite but is soft and carries on your back like a backpack. So easy to get around and to get around in.”
05The budget backpack
This BAGGU Drawstring Backpack is a basic eco-friendly option at an affordable price. Available in a few different colors, it holds about 13 liters and has a simple design with one interior and two exterior side pockets, plus adjustable straps.
BAGGU itself doesn't have any environmental certifications, but this particular backpack is made from 100% cotton canvas (65% of which is recycled cotton), and the company participates in a bag recycling program to keep their used products out of landfills.
One reviewer says: “Durable fabric, can fit laptop and some notebooks. Exterior pockets surprisingly large, can hold water bottle, umbrella securely.”
