Where You Can Buy Recycled & Green Backpacks

If you or your children are going back to school and you are in the market for one or more recycled backpacks, there are lots of purchasing options open to you. The following is a small list of where to buy recycled backpacks, depending on your storage and budget needs. This list is not comprehensive, but will cover a variety of stores, both online and off.

If you prefer not to shop online for your backpack, you might want to head down to your local Neiman Marcus store. They have a selection of bags by Dante Beatrix in a variety of colors and styles, all made from 100% recycled plastic bottles and a biodegradable canvas trim. Not all the Dante Beatrix packs are recycled, but there are at least 3 options, all priced at $63. All the packs are the same size, however, so if you need a great deal of space, these are not for you.

A great place to buy recycled backpacks online or off is from an Osprey dealer. Check their dealers list for websites and physical store locations. Prices will vary somewhat depending on the dealer, but Osprey offers a range of backpacks that vary in size and price from very small to moderately large. At least 70% of every bag is made from recycled materials. Pockets, mesh materials, webbing, and even buckles are created partially or totally from recycled items. The fabric is made completely from PET, the name for the substance created from recycled plastic bottles. The only parts of the packs that fall in the other 30% are construction items such as threads, zippers, foam, and piping.

If your primary concerns are budgetary, consider shopping at a bulk green apparel and gift trader such as ProForma or a regular bulk retailer, such as PromoManagers. Both of these options have a great selection of packs, most of them under $25. Almost any size, style or color you can imagine is available for purchase from one or the other of these stores. Both retailers are strictly web outlets, and therefore items are only available for purchase online.

For mid-range and high end packs, there are Overstock, Amazon, and the Sierra Trading Post, with Amazon appearing to be the most expensive. If your main interest is in a backpack is the eco-friendliness of it, you might want to consider one of the many options listed at New American Dream. There are hemp offerings, bags made from recycled rubber, cotton, and, again, plastic bottles.