Our Favorite Eco-Friendly Bags Made of Recycled Materials
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WIRED's gear team has tested dozens of bags meant to ease commutes and withstand wear and weather. Here, our favorite ecological bags are as capable and durable, but made using recycled materials like plastic water bottles, old nylon, and even fishing nets retrieved from the ocean.
It's important to find ways to reuse what would otherwise pollute our oceans and sit in landfills forever. But first, ask yourself: Do you need a new bag? Buying sustainable items when you already have good ones at home doesn't help much. But if the bag you have now isn't working out, then you might get some peace of mind with our picks below that utilize recycled materials. Not every bag is made from 100 percent recycled materials, but every little bit counts.
Bags are often categorized by liters, which we explain more in a separate article. See the rest of our bag picks in our guides on the Best Backpacks, Best Totes and Purses, and Best Messenger and Sling Bags. And be sure to read our other sustainable roundups, like the Best Recycled and Upcycled Products, Best Recycled Clothing, and Best Reusable Products.
Updated July 2024: We've added a crossbody purse and reusable shopping bags from Kind Bag, plus Sherpani's Skye Mini Crossbody. We've also updated prices and links throughout.
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How Do We Test Bags?
When it comes to products like bags, personal style dictates what you (and we) like. It's the first thing you'll notice. We try to test a number of different types of bags in many different styles. Beyond just looking good, we make sure they're actually worth your money in terms of comfort and durability.
When we get a new bag, we start using them as one normally would, taking purses to the grocery store or out to bars, filling backpacks and totes with our laptops and work gear and heading to a coffee shop to work for the afternoon, and stuffing travel bags with clothes and shoes. We note what they'll fit, how they're organized, and if the straps are comfortable or start to dig in after a while. We also fill them with heavy objects—sometimes weights, and sometimes just a bunch of random other products we're testing—and we fling them around. If threads and straps start to pull, they're out. Whenever possible, we keep bags to use over and over again for months or years to test long-term durability too, and will update this guide if our feelings change.
- Photograph: United By Blue
Best Overall (a Tote-Backpack)
United by Blue Convertible CarryallUnited By Blue's Carryall is a large tote bag that easily converts to a backpack. Both the interior and exterior are made of 100 percent recycled polyester; the straps are 100 percent recycled nylon; and the padding is made of a combo of 60 percent recycled nylon and 40 percent recycled polyester. Even the zipper pulls are 100 percent recycled nylon paracord.
It's water-resistant and sufficiently padded to keep a 15-inch laptop safe from the elements and drops. There are useful organizational pouches inside the front pocket, as well as two water bottle pockets. If you're tired of carrying it on one shoulder, unzip the back pocket and pull out the comfy backpack straps. They clip on to sturdy D-rings at the base.
- Photograph: Lo & Sons
Best Small Purse
Lo & Sons Nouvelle BagThe Lo & Son's Nouvelle purse (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is made from recycled nylon and polyester, and uses nopal cactus in place of leather. The combination of shape, material, and pretty strap makes it work as both a dressed-up or dressed-down purse. After every bag I test, I always go back to this one. It makes me feel classy and put together no matter what I'm wearing. I love the black exterior with gunmetal hardware, but there are several colors and combinations available.
It won't hold your laptop, but it's the perfect size for essentials like your wallet, phone, and e-reader, plus accessories like lipstick and a hair clip. An interior pocket has three card slots and the external pocket fits my iPhone 15 and bulky keys.
- Photograph: Cuyana
Best Large Purse
Cuyana Oversized Recycled Sling BagCuyana makes our favorite leather laptop purse. This one, while more understated and casual, is just as gorgeous. The fabric of this sling bag is made from 100 percent recycled plastic taken from landfills. It has a durable, canvaslike feel and can be machine-washed in a mesh bag (but air it dry!) so you can actually get real use out of it without worry.
A bottom insert keeps it structured, and this large size fits more than you'll need—I used it as my personal item on a vacation and stuffed it full with a book, a tablet, over-ear headphones, medications, and every little tchotchke I could find to bring back. If you want to use it for work, or just need more organization, it can be paired with Cuyana's tote insert if it ever comes back in stock (there's a waitlist as of this writing). We used the oversized bag, but there are medium and small versions too.
- Photograph: Targus
A Great Budget Backpack
Targus Zero Waste EcoSmart BackpackIf you need to spend as little as possible, Targus’ Zero Waste Backpack is a solid bag from a solid brand. It's made from 20 recycled water bottles and comes rolled up in a recycled plastic package. Unfold that plastic and place it in the laptop pocket—that gives the bag structure and provides a little more protection for your expensive tech. It also allows the bag to ship using as little packaging as possible. In addition to the main compartment, the bag has two pockets on the front and two water bottle pockets. There are also two compression straps to slim it out.
At CES 2024, the brand announced a new backpack in its EcoSmart collection. The Coastline is a bit more expensive than the Zero Waste, and is made from ocean-bound plastic.
- Photograph: Timbuk2
A Mini Backpack
Timbuk2 Spark Mini PackTimbuk2's Spark Mini, especially in its Eco Nautical Pop colorway, looks like it stepped right out of a late ’80s, early ’90s mood board. It's a reminder that backpacks can be fun, but still functional, and it's made from 100 percent recycled nylon and polyester.
Despite being small, the main compartment fits my 13-inch MacBook Pro. A smaller pocket is best for tablets or Kindles. The faux-fur-lined front pocket has ample room for a phone and wallet, plus there's a cord for your keys. You can unclip the straps and stow them in the back magnetic closure pocket and hold it like a tote. The Spark comes in an even smaller version too.
- Photograph: Medea Giordano
The Best Shopping Bag
Kind Bag Medium Reusable BagKind Bag's reusable bags are made from 100 percent recycled materials, using six plastic bottles each. At the end of a bag's life, you can reach out to the company so the bag itself can be recycled. Each bag fits a ton, so I find them perfect for grocery shopping, whether I'm buying cans and boxes at the store or fresh produce at a farmer's market.
There's a variety of pretty designs and patterns to choose from and frequent limited edition artist prints. I was able to try two of the cat prints from artist Amy Hastings. Kind Bags is owned, designed, and run by women and a portion of every bag sold goes to supporting the Women's Earth Alliance (WEA).
- Photograph: Medea Giordano
A Fun Crossbody
Kind Bag Crossbody BagKind Bag makes my favorite reusable shopping bag, and I also love the brand's 100 percent recycled waffle-texture crossbody. The fabric, labels, and zippers are all recycled and each crossbody uses two and a half plastic bottles. They can be machine-washed too.
I fully believe that bags and shoes should be fun, quirky, and unique any chance they can—in my opinion, they are the best accessories to spice up an outfit. This purse really nails it, and reminds me of the popcorn tops from the 2000s. I truly love it and the price, which makes sustainability accessible.
- Photograph: Medea Giordano
A Perfectly Teeny Shoulder Bag
Sherpani Skye Convertible Shoulder BagI've been into tiny shoulder bags lately, and this Skye Mini Crossbody from Sherpani fits the bill. It sits directly under my arm and is small enough to be unobtrusive but still hold essentials. There's also a removable crossbody strap should you prefer that.
Sherpani's Skye bag is made from 100 percent recycled materials, saving 10 plastic water bottles from landfills or the ocean. The recycled polyester is tough and water-resistant, so I see it becoming an everyday bag for a while. I don't have to worry that something might scratch it or pull a thread. There's also RFID-blocking technology if that's a concern for you.
- Photograph: Moment
Best Work Tote
Moment MTW ToteThis is our favorite laptop tote, and its exterior is made of weatherproof recycled nylon. One WIRED writer says it distributes weight like magic and has pockets on top of pockets to keep you organized, including a slot for a 16-inch laptop. We like several Moment camera bags, include the very similar Everything Tote which does not use recycled materials.
★ Runner-Up Tote: Bellroy's Tokyo Tote ($129) is also one of our favorites thanks to its excellent organization—the entire interior perimeter is sectioned off into pockets to hold a 13-inch laptop, phone, wallet, cables, and a small notebook among other accessories. “Pop” pockets on either end open up to hold water bottles, a small umbrella, or even flats. The brand uses a few recycled materials, from plastic bottles to leftover nylon scraps from other Bellroy products.
- Photograph: Lojel
An Affordable Sling
Lojel Niru City SlingLojel's Niru line of bags, including this City Sling, is made from 100 percent recycled nylon with full-grain leather accents. The packaging is compostable too. The sling is nearly weightless, and snaps on the corners can flatten it out or expand it as needed. I could fit both my large wallet and Beats in this one, and the strap has a slinky feel that I like.
The main compartment has three smaller pockets on the inside and a key holder strap. There's a smaller zip pocket on the back, too, that fits an iPhone with room to spare.
★ More From Lojel: I also tried the 3-Way Tote ($55), Daypack ($125), and Daypack Mini ($100). They're all made of the same recycled materials. The backpacks only have a side entry to the main compartment, rather than a zipper at the top with slip pockets facing the side too. It isn't my favorite design feature, but I got used to it. Like the sling, they have snaps on all four corners so you can expand or compress them.
- Photograph: Verloop
The Cutest Little Purse
Verloop Candy Stripe Mini ToteI want everything in mini size, please.
Everything Verloop sells is beyond adorable, including this tiny bag made from deadstock yarn. If you don't need to hold too many things, it makes any outfit better. We recommend the brand's slippers in our recycled clothing guide, too.
★ Another Mini From Verloop: Verloop already uses deadstock yarn, and with the brand's Scrap Stuffed Tote ($68), it goes a step further. This bag is a thin nylon shell filled with scrap yarn from the brand's factory, so it further reduces waste. It's vibrant and fun, and fits essentials. There's a matching pouch too.
- Photograph: Kabir Fernandez/Baggu
Another Shopping Bag
Baggu Standard Reusable BagWe love Baggu's standard reusable bags for shopping trips, and they're made with 40 percent recycled nylon. Each bag can hold up to 50 pounds and replaces two to three plastic grocery bags. They're also cute, available in several colors and patterns, and fold down into little squares so you can keep a few in your car. You can sometimes find them at Urban Outfitters too.
- Photograph: Longchamp
A Cult Favorite Purse
Longchamp Le Pliage Green Shoulder BagLongchamp's designer bags don't look gaudy or ostentatious, and if you've spent any time on a college campus or around fancy buisness people you may have noticed these on many an arm. This one is made from recycled polyamide canvas, derived from fishing nets and old carpets. It's pretty but durable, and while it doesn't have a laptop pocket, it can hold one comfortably. If you're bringing it as a backup bag on a trip, it folds down to a teeny little rectangle (plus the straps).
Photograph: SamsoniteMore Bags We Like
Honorable Mentions- Mafia Bags Deep Blue Bag for $234: This backpack has been out of stock lately, but it's one of our favorites when available. All Mafia bags are made from reused sails. This one was made in collaboration with industrial designer Yves Béhar and utilizes material from climbing ropes, seat belts, and old wet and dry suits. The front compartment is waterproof for holding wet towels or bathing suits. A hidden side pocket houses a phone, keys, or wallet, and you can use the small loop at the bottom of the bag to hang it upside down to dry. There's also a drysuit sleeve to keep water bottles securely in place until you pull them out.
- Lo & Sons Hanover 2 Backpack for $238: This backpack saves 22 used plastic bottles from landfills, turning them into water-resistant polyester. The detachable insert makes it versatile, so you can organize yourself for work or remove it and replace it with clothes for the weekend or a diaper-changing station.
- Nixon Hatch Bag for $125: I was shocked at how comfortably this sling bag held my 13-inch laptop without looking ludicrously capacious. The black-and-gray is not the normal style I'd go for, but it's incredibly pretty in the slate blue and brown colorways. It's made of 40 percent Repreve fabric.
- Peak Design Everyday Totepack for $180: The rigid shell of this bag is made from 100 percent recycled 400-denier nylon canvas. It keeps your valuables safe and organized, thanks to the removable dividers inside the main compartment—this setup works particularly well for cameras. It's beautiful in the bone and brown leather color, and I like that you can hold it like a tote or use it on your back.
- Patagonia Black Hole Backpack for $149: The exterior is made of 100 percent recycled polyester ripstop with a water-resistant laminate on top, and the lining is 100 percent recycled polyester with a polyurethane coating. Even when packed full, it stayed slim and unobtrusive. There's a 15-inch suspended laptop sleeve, thoughtfully designed pockets for sunglasses, a wallet, and a phone, plus big enough water bottle pockets to fit an oversized bottle.
- Samsonite Outline Pro Carry-On Spinner for $200: The interior fabric on this carry-on is made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles. The tough outer shell is polypropylene. The interior divider can be tightly strapped in to compress what's below it, plus there's a “WetPak” pocket for storing damp items.
- Solo Re:Fresh Machine Washable Backpack for $50: This affordable bag from Solo is made from 15 recycled plastic bottles. It's also meant to be machine-washed up to 12 times. I've washed several bags not meant to be put in the machine, but it can give you peace of mind to know it won't fall apart. There are two water bottle pockets and three front pockets for organization.
- North St LTD Upcycled Davis Daypack for $150: These cool rolltop bags are made from upcycled event tents, which helps keep them rainproof (and unique!). WIRED reviewer Adrienne So said she likes the colors and how low profile it is, but the pockets had very little give, so you won't be able to pack your entire closet for this day trip.
- Incase ARC Tech Tote for $90: This tote is made with recycled polyester. It's compact but still fits a 13-inch laptop in its faux-fur-lined pocket, and there are organizational compartments to fit pens, a phone, a wallet, or earbuds. The handles don't leave much room to hold it comfortably, so I used the removable strap more often.
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