10 Sustainable Luggage Brands for Eco-Friendly Travel
Image: Paravel
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The best Eco-Friendly, Sustainable Luggage Brands
Looking for a new suitcase for your next trip? In this article, we will explore the world of sustainable luggage so you can fly the skies in eco-friendly style!
The Importance of Sustainable Travel
Traveling can have a significant impact on the environment. As awareness of this issue increases, people are beginning to take small steps to reduce their carbon footprint while traveling. One simple way to start is by paying attention to your choice of suitcase!
Traditional luggage is often made from materials like (virgin) plastic, which contribute to pollution and waste. Sustainable luggage, on the other hand, is designed with the environment in mind. These products are made from recycled or natural materials and are manufactured using low-impact processes. By choosing sustainable luggage, we can reduce our carbon footprint and support brands that prioritize sustainability.
What to Look For When Purchasing a Sustainable Suitcase
When it comes to choosing a suitcase, the most sustainable option is the one you already own or perhaps borrowing from a friend, or finding secondhand. However, if you need to buy a new one, there are some things to consider. Quality is our top priority as luggage goes through a lot during your travels, and you want it to last. Next, we look for materials made from recycled materials and try to avoid virgin plastics as much as possible. Numerous brands are adopting sustainable practices by using recycled materials in their products. Such materials include recycled plastics, fabrics made from recycled water bottles, and recycled aluminum. Using these materials not only reduces waste but also gives a second life to resources that would otherwise end up polluting our environment, particularly landfills and oceans. We want to note that while some of these brands may not be entirely sustainable, we appreciate their efforts to offer better options to a larger group of people.
Top Overall Pick: Paravel’s Aviator Carry-On | Best For Adventurous Travel: Patagonia’s Black Hole Wheeled Duffle | Most Affordable: Solo’s Re:Treat Carry-On
Our Top Picks for Sustainable Suitcases & Luggage:
1. Paravel
Carry-On Price: $395
Paravel is a travel brand that prioritizes sustainability. They aim to explore the world while minimizing their impact on it. One of their notable products is the sustainable carry-on, which boasts a durable recycled polycarbonate exterior, recycled zippers, and a lining made from 15 upcycled plastic water bottles. The bag also features vegan leather details and wrapped steel handles, along with an aircraft-grade recycled aluminum handle.
2. Solgaard
Carry-On Price: $245+
We think this idea is really amazing! The Carry-On & Check-In Closet suitcases have a special shelving system built into them, which helps you stay organized during your travels. This feature is something that other brands do not offer.
Additionally, their carry-on suitcase helps to clean up 6 lbs of ocean-bound plastic from coastal communities, and its Interior Shore-Tex® lining is made from 100% recycled plastic.
3. Solo NY
Carry-On Price |$112+
Not all of Solo's luggage is crafted from eco-friendly materials, but we made sure to link up to the suitcases that are more sustainable.
Solo offers a more affordable price point for those who cannot afford to splurge on higher-end brands.
Despite being more affordable, Solo products have received positive reviews from customers!
4. Eagle Creek
Carry-On Price: $288+
Eagle Creek is a luggage brand that has been around for over 40 years. Over the years, they have gained a lot of travel insights, tips, and tricks, which has helped them to create the perfect bags for travelers.
What's great about Eagle Creek is that they use recycled materials in several designs, and they have an in-house repair center that helps to keep your bags out of landfills.
5. Patagonia
Carry-On Price: $359+
This brand is ideal for those who love to travel and explore new places. Their collection of wheeled duffle bags is the perfect companion for adventurers. The bags are made of strong recycled polyester ripstop material, which is highly resistant to weather, and have a durable water-repellent finish. The designs are available in a variety of colors, and everything is manufactured ethically, as is always the case with Patagonia.
6. Samsonite
Carry-On Price: $175+
It's refreshing to see a well-known luggage brand attempt to produce an eco-friendly alternative. Samsonite has a wide range of suitcases with interior lining fabric made from Recyclex™ material, which is woven from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.
Their Maxsum Eco suitcases utilize the most amount of recycled materials and are available in two sizes and four colors.
7. Tumi
Carry-On Price: $750
Tumi has a collection of suitcases made from Recycled Polycarbonate, which is a lightweight, flexible, and durable material for hardside cases. This brand is known for producing high-quality suitcases, perfect for frequent flyers, but they come with a higher price tag compared to other brands available in the market. Despite the higher cost, many customers have expressed that the quality of these suitcases makes them worth the investment.
8. Roam
Carry-On Price: $495+
If you're interested in supporting products that are made in the USA, we've discovered a luggage brand that produces all of their suitcases in Georgia. What's even more exciting is that you have the option to customize your suitcase's colors, including the shell, zipper, and wheels, to make it a truly unique item.
Additionally, the fabric lining is antimicrobial and made entirely from recycled materials.
9. Lo & Sons
Weekender Price: $152
If you don't require a traditional suitcase and prefer something lightweight, then the Weekender and Duffles from Lo & Sons might be the perfect match for you. However, make sure to choose their colors that are associated with either 600D Recycled Poly or Organic Cotton, so that you opt for a more environmentally friendly material. If you need a bag with water resistance and extra durability, then we suggest going with recycled poly. If you prefer a more natural appearance, then the organic cotton material would be more suitable for you.
10. Anchal
Weekender Duffle Price: $140
We adore Anchal's exceptional designs that seamlessly blend traditional kantha quilting methods with modern geometric designs and visible stitching patterns. Anchal is a proud member of the Fair Trade Federation, which ensures that every product they offer is crafted by skilled artisans who receive fair compensation for their labor. Plus, all of their products are made from GOTS certified organic cotton. And if the rainbow isn’t your thing, they also have a multi-check print that’s adorable!
How to Pack Sustainably
When traveling, choosing sustainable luggage is only the first step towards eco-friendliness. Adopting sustainable packing practices can maximize your efforts to reduce your carbon footprint. Here are some tips to help you pack sustainably:
Pack Light
Packing light has two significant benefits: it reduces physical strain on your body and decreases the carbon emissions associated with heavier luggage. To achieve this, you should only pack essential items and consider versatile clothing that can be mixed and matched. It's essential to embrace the concept of minimalist travel by prioritizing experiences over material possessions.
Use Reusable Containers
To minimize your environmental impact while traveling, it is highly recommended that you steer clear of single-use plastic containers. Instead, you should choose reusable alternatives such as silicone (we love Stasher) or stainless steel containers for your toiletries and snacks. Furthermore, you should consider carrying reusable water bottles and coffee cups (our favorite is Klean Kanteen) to reduce plastic waste. By adopting these small changes, you can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste you generate while on the go.
Choose Sustainable Toiletries
Swap your regular toiletries for sustainable options. Opt for non-toxic soaps, shampoos and conditioners, minimal packaging, or solid bars to eliminate the need for plastic bottles. We suggest trying Plaine Products for your next trip. You can purchase their shampoos, conditioners and soaps in a 2.4oz travel size aluminum bottle. Need a new toiletry bag? We have you covered.
To dig even deeper on packing sustainably…
We have a post dedicated to Minimalist, Zero-Waste packing where you will learn how to pack only the essentials to enjoy your trip and lower your impact on the planet at the same time!
We also break down 10 easy ways to be a sustainable traveler so you can enjoy your vacation without having a negative impact in this post - here -
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