Q&A. Pack to School
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 09. 6.06
Q. I'm returning to college this week and desperately need a new backpack. I'm having a hard time finding a good selection just searching websites. Thanks! Susannah B.
A. Susannah, your questions reminds me that in the dim, distant past I was going to make my fortune designing green daypacks. But decided the world just didn’t need any more, it was overrun with the things as it was. Let’s have a peek though, at just what is out there in greenish daypacks. The sort with two shoulder straps suitable for lugging books and laptops around the campus. (We previously covered eco field bags here.)
The most obvious reference to an eco pack that you’ll find is the solar enabled bags that will help charge digital toys, like phones, iPods and cameras. Alas the panels on most are not yet up to charging notebooks.
We’ve always had a soft spot around here for Voltaic, as they were one of the first to push the concept. The top of the line Voltaic Rucksack has heaps of room for all your educational needs. It’s $239 USD.
A lookalike, is the Blue Sun, from Clear Blue Hawaii. Retails for $300 USD.
Reware’s Juice Bag is another that does packs, instead of only tote or messenger bags. Though you can convert it to shoulder bag as well. $175 USD.
You could plump for the recycled angle, in which case you be looking at something like the EarthPaks. Say, their Transcension seen here ($40 USD), which is conjured from 98% recycled materials, most of which came from discarded PET drink bottles.
Or if ‘reuse’ is more your thing, then Yellow Port have these packs constructed of pre-loved trucking tarpaulins. Not sure on pricing but available out of Brazil and Australia.
Or consider the Used Rubber USA’s Kelly Backpack, a reclaimed rubber inner-tube shoulder bag, with detachable backpack straps. $116.00 USD.
Sold by Rawganique of Canada can be found the range of Ecolution hemp packs, crafted from pesticide-free Romanian hemp. The HBP4 Mini is $30 CAD, also available also in black, blue, or green (sounds like a bruise!).
Still in the hemp field is the line from Pure Sativa. Their Rucksack PS16 will set you back £42.50
A personal favourite is Terrapax. Mostly for their very holistic ‘industrial ecology’ approach to materials selection and manufacturing. Their Rucksack is $137.60 USD as a web special.
Another bag in the sustainably harvested realm is the Spider Monkey backpack crafted from TreeTap, a fair trade type program, that sources natural rubber from South American rainforests. $125 USD.
And no doubt there are a swag of other out there too.
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- Book Review: Your Eco-Friendly Home
- Buy Nothing Day 2008 Has a Hollow Ring
- Michelle Kaufmann Designs McMansion Gingerbread
- Upcycled Laptop Bag Shows Your Stance on Style and Green Thinking
i like the modern looking design of the hemp-backpacks by nibus: http://nibusclothing.com/ (and don´t miss their other gear)
and livity:
http://www.livity.org/cart_index.html
nibus and other hemp-backpacks are available via the hempest:
http://store.hempest.com/catalog/section.php?id=45&cid=46
on the german outdoor-trade show lafuma (a french outdoor-company) showed a backpack called "eco 40". it is made of hemp and post consumer recycled polyester
not eco-optimised but an ethically choice are backpacks by vaude. vaude is reviewed "best buy" on the backpack and tent-test by the british ethical consumer.
...and maybee the best choice along with all products (except old electronic goods with high energy consumption):
buy second hand stuff - at best at local flea markets but ebay will offer the bigger assortment in most cases.
By favorite bag (and also winner of many sustainable prizes) is the ragbag: www.ragbag.nl. And, as I saw on the site: available in New York!
I have another question...
I'm in need of a new coat for the winter.. any suggestions?
There's a new product, the backTpack, which is designed by a physical therapist for healthy carying.
If you've had it with backaches and not being able to get into your bag, check it out at www.backtpac.com
link
The Patagonia Ecotorrent is a personally favorite. From what I'd want. I'm against consuming for the sack of consuming, I don't need a new coat.
So I won't get one. But would I like it :)
Try greenheiress.com for some sweet 'ecolution' hemp bags. I purchased one-it's big and strong, holds everything and I have recieved so many compliments! For eco school-supplies, visit greenlinepaper.com. Hope you find some good stuff!
Alchemy Goods in Seattle, WA manufactures messenger bags and shoulder bags from recycled innertubes and other reclaimed components.
Thanks!! I think I'm going to get La Original by Earthpak. They're from Texas; I'm from Texas. It was meant to be. Thanks for linking us up!!