Eco-friendly bags donโt have to be bland. No matter what reason you have for a reusable bag, sustainable totes can be sustainable and chic. As minimalists, it is important that we buy high-quality items and if from a brand, that the brand has a positive environmental impact.
Whether you are looking for sustainable handbags, or something handy those farmerโs market days, weโve got the top eco-friendly bags that will reduce your carbon footprint. Single-use bags are out.
โOur Top Picks for Eco-friendly Bags for All Walks of Life
The search for eco-friendly alternatives in the handbag industry can be a little difficult. The beauty of the big luxury brands is in your face. Itโs not as if the eco-friendly bags have these multi-million dollar marketing budgets to show us their latest line of vegan leather tote bags.
But, we donโt have to struggle to be sustainable. Many people, including us, strive to minimize their environmental footprint. So, the demand for eco-conscious bags has surged. Thatโs wonderful news!
Whether youโre off on an adventure, navigating the produce markets, or grocery shopping, thereโs an eco-friendly bag perfect for your needs. We have put together the top ten categories of eco-friendly bags, each with our winner for that category. These bags provide functionality, and eco-consciousness, proving that you can tote your belongings around and make a positive impact on the planet.
Travel Bag
We absolutely love our BEIS bags. BEIS leads the charge with its commitment to sustainability. Crafted from an array of eco-friendly materials including cotton, hemp, non-woven fabrics, RPET, biodegradable bioplastics, and recyclable paper, each BEIS bag embodies the fusion of style and environmental consciousness.
For the best travel bag, we choose the BEIS Carry-On Luggage. You can read more details on our BEIS Luggage Review.
To save on your BEIS purchase, use our BEIS referral discount link. This bag is perfect for jet-setting or road-tripping while reducing your carbon footprint.
Work Tote
Sleek and professional, the Everlane ReNew Transit tote bag is spacious enough to fit your laptop, documents, and essentials, all while being eco-conscious with its sustainable materials.
Everlane is at the top of the most eco-friendly bags list, but we truly love the brand for its versatility and style as well.
Farmersโ Market Bag
If you want a sturdy, reusable canvas for a day at the Farmersโ Market, consider this BAGGU Horizontal Zip Duck Bag. It is adorable, and perfect for fresh produce, bread, and other goodies from your local farmersโ market, reducing the need for single-use plastic bags.
Grocery Tote
An oversized, heavy-duty reusable shopping bag like the EARTHGRADE Reusable Shoulder Grocery Bag is perfect for your weekly hauls without harming the planet. Not only is this the perfect bag that showcases just how sustainably minded you are, but its high quality allows it to be used for years and years.
It is made of plant-based enviro-washable paper. It looks like it is kraft paper, but so much better!
Even better? There is an entire set, depending on the type of reusable shopping bags you enjoy. You can use this as a cute tote bag that advocates for using a better option for carrying your heavy loads from the store.
Beach Day Bag
We love a beach day, but of course, you want to make toting your items on and off the beach easy. The Sea & Grass Caitlyn Blush Palm Print Tote is a lightweight, sand-resistant beach bag made from recycled materials. It is perfect for sunscreen, sunglasses, and a good book for those lazy days by the shore.
When it comes to eco-friendly bags, the beach is definitely a place you want to be eco-minded. There are already too many toxins in the ocean.
Crossbody/Fanny Pack
For city adventures, if you are like us, you want a crossbody that allows you to be hands-free. Crossbody bags can be longer, but we like the fanny pack, close to the chest bag. For this category, BEIS wins again with their BEIS Sport Pack. Whether itโs keys, sunscreen, or your trusty phone, this pack has you covered. Itโs a breeze to keep clean. Wear it across your chest for a chic cross-body look or opt for that trendy fanny pack vibeโitโs the perfect companion for any adventure!
We go into more detail on this sport pack in our BEIS Luggage Review.
Gym Bag
This Fairtrade organic cotton canvas bag is made of durable material and has the best customer reviews from gym-goers. The Terra Thread Aarde Eco-friendly Gym Bag. This bag is ideal for a weekend getaway or your daily fitness routine. It has an adjustable shoulder strap, an exterior drop-in pocket, and an internal zippered compartment.
Hiking/Backpack
Hit the trails with a durable backpack made from recycled materials. The Osprey Mira 22L Backpack offers enhanced on-trail hydration with its integrated Hydraulics LT 2.5-liter reservoir. Perfect for outdoor adventures. The Ospreyโs eco-conscious design delivers both functionality and sustainability in this feature-packed daypack. A very cool perk is that has a rain cover that safeguards the packโs contents, providing peace of mind during unexpected downpours on the trail.
Toiletry Bag
Terra Thread wins again. This time, the Terra Thread Sustainable Toiletry Bag takes the toiletry bag category. Made from Fairtrade organic cotton, this toiletry bag has plenty of storage space, despite its compact size. Ideal for organizing toiletries, cosmetics, or any other essentials. It has a sturdy grab handle so loading, hauling, and using this bag is a breeze.
Weekend Bag
While we do love the BEIS Weekender, the winner of this category is the CALPAK Luka Duffel Bag, but make it gold, please.
This versatile bag has a spacious main compartment and multiple interior pockets to keep your essentials organized. It has a great separate shoe locker with a zip closure ensuring your clothes stay clean and fresh. This weekend bag is as practical as it is stylish. Bonus, it is made of recycled materials.
What Should You Look for In an Eco-Friendly Bag?
Itโs important to consider several key factors to ensure youโre making a sustainable choice in eco-friendly bags. First, check on the materials used in the bagโs construction. Opt for options crafted from renewable and sustainable materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, hemp, or bamboo.
Find out what the brandโs production process entails. If it is made of biodegradable materials, be sure to check the reviews to see if they are also of great quality.
We love when we read or see that a product is made of recyclable materials. Companies like Londre make their swimsuits out of plastic bottles. You would never know. That is a brand we want to support.
There are many things that would surprise you that are made of plastic.
There are certifications such as Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and labels that report Fair Trade, Fair Wage, or that they are biodegradable bags.
A well-made bag not only withstands the test of time but also minimizes the need for frequent replacements. That is why quality is important. It reduces waste in the long run.
We want to make sure that we mention that having those reusable bags in your car to use as grocery bags still makes a huge impact. The less you use plastic bags from the grocery stores, the less they will be made.
Using a free cloth bag given to you is a great way to participate in environmental conservation. Heck, even using paper shopping bags is better than the plastic. Those options are considered eco-friendly bags.
Paper bags have been additional reuses, too!
โConsider Eco-friendly Bags
By choosing these thoughtfully crafted bags, weโre not only reducing our reliance on harmful materials. It is important to know that weโre supporting brands that prioritize ethical production practices, fair trade, fair wages, and high-quality eco-friendly materials.
With plastic waste being proven to be harmful to the environment, the need to do your research on the next stylish tote you buy is imperative.
These eco-friendly bags will not only serve their purpose but also help you make a positive impact on the planet with every use!
FAQS | Frequently Asked Questions
You can checkย Etsy, or simply go to your local Farmers Markets. A lot of the time, there will be handcrafted items, perhaps eco-friendly bags made of natural fibers.
Compostable shopping bags are a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic bags that are designed to break down into natural, non-toxic components when composted. These bags are typically made from renewable materials such as plant-based starches, cellulose, or bio-based polymers derived from sources like corn, sugarcane, or potato starch. ย
Sustainable fabrics are produced in a way that minimizes environmental impact and maximizes social responsibility throughout their lifecycle. Some examples are bamboo, organic cotton, hemp, linen, recycled polyester, and others.ย
