If you’re trying to reduce or even better, eliminate, toxins in your house then a non-toxic backpack is a must!
Let’s dive deep into backpacks, what they’re made of and how to eliminate toxins when choosing a backpack for your kids.
Why are non-toxic backpacks important?
Non-toxic backpacks are important because they help keep harmful chemicals and toxins away from your body. Many conventional backpacks are made with materials that can release harmful chemicals, pollutants, and toxins into the air. These chemicals can then be inhaled or absorbed through the skin, causing a variety of health problems. Non-toxic backpacks are made with safer materials that do not release harmful chemicals into the air. This helps to protect your health and the environment.
What toxic materials are used in backpacks?
Some backpacks are made with harmful materials, such as PVC. PVC is a type of plastic that contains harmful chemicals. These chemicals can leach out of the backpack and into your body. PVC is not eco-friendly because it is not biodegradable.
Other harmful materials that are sometimes used in backpacks include polyethene (PE), polypropylene (PP) polyester and nylon . These materials are not eco-friendly and can be harmful to your health.
Polyvinyl Chloride
PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is a type of plastic that is often used in backpacks. PVC can release harmful chemicals into the air, including lead, cadmium, mercury, and phthalates. Inhaling or absorbing these chemicals can cause various health problems, including headaches, nausea, dizziness, skin irritation, and respiratory problems.
In addition, PVC is a type of plastic that is not biodegradable, meaning it will stay in the environment for centuries after it is discarded. This can be harmful to wildlife and the environment.
PVC has also been banned from toys but not backpacks and other school supplies.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane is a material that is used in items that require some waterproofing or need to be water-resistant. This is the case for backpacks and therefore it is used in the lining of the fabric.
Whilst having water resistance is helpful, it’s not essential.
Polyester and Nylon
Nylon and polyester are types of synthetic fabrics made from petroleum products. They are both very strong and durable. They are both often used to make clothing, bags, and other items. Either are eco-friendly because they aren’t biodegradable.
Nylon and polyester are probably considered the ‘least toxic’ of the synthetic fabric range.
What are the benefits of using non-toxic backpacks?
There are many benefits of using a non-toxic backpack. These backpacks will help to keep harmful chemicals and toxins away from your body. They are also better for the environment because they do not release harmful chemicals into the air.
Non-toxic backpacks are usually made with safer materials, such as organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, and wool. These materials are safe to use and will not release harmful chemicals into the air.
Finally, non-toxic backpacks are often more durable than conventional backpacks. This means that they will last longer and will not need to be replaced as often.
How can I find a non-toxic backpack?
There are a few ways to find a non-toxic backpack. You can check the labels on backpacks to see if they are made with safe materials. You can also contact the manufacturer to ask about the materials used in their backpacks. Finally, you can look for backpacks made with certified organic materials. These backpacks will be clearly labelled and will not contain any harmful chemicals.
Non-toxic materials to look for in backpacks
Some of the non-toxic materials you can look for in backpacks include organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, and wool. These materials are safe to use and will not release harmful chemicals into the air.
You can also look for backpacks made with certified organic materials. These backpacks will be clearly labelled and will not contain any harmful chemicals.
Hemp
Hemp fabric is a fabric made from the fibers of the hemp plant. Hemp fabric is very strong and will last. It is often used to make clothing, bags, furnishing and other household items
Hemp fabric is hypoallergenic and antibacterial. This means that it will not cause allergies or skin irritation. Hemp fabric is also environmentally friendly because it is biodegradable.
Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is a type of cotton that is grown without the use of harmful chemicals, pesticides or fertilizers. This means that it is safer for the environment and for the people who work with cotton.
Organic cotton is also softer and more absorbent than conventional cotton. This makes it a good choice for clothing and backpacks that need to be soft and comfortable.
When choosing a backpack from cotton, make sure it’s certified organic with the GOTS certification.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a type of grass that grows in tropical climates. Bamboo is super strong and extremely durable. It is often used to make furniture, flooring, and other items. Bamboo is also eco-friendly because it grows quickly and does not require the use of pesticides or other harmful chemicals.
Wool
Wool is a type of fiber that comes from the fleece of sheep. Wool is very soft and warm. It is often used to make clothing, blankets, and other items. It can also give products a level of water resistance. Wool is also environmentally friendly because it is biodegradable.
Cork
Cork is an incredibly sustainable material and can be used to make a wide range of items, including backpacks. Cork doesn’t require much water or chemicals for the tree to flourish. It’s also harvested sustainably because when harvested the outer bark is removed and the tree continues to live. Cork trees live for around 200 years and is 100% biodegradable.
Apple Peels
No this is not a joke! This bag is made with apple peels and other organic waste from the juicing industry. Now that’s sustainable!
Brands of non-toxic backpacks we love
Hemp & Hope – Our top pick!
Hemp & Hope is a sustainable fashion label that manufactures non-toxic backpacks in Nepal. The company was started after its founder traveled to Nepal and saw the need to make a difference.
As their name states, their backpacks are made from sustainable and ethical hemp. The outer is made of hemp, the lining from cotton and the inner lining is made from recycled rice bags.
Hemp & Hope create safe working conditions and fair wages in a small, family-run business in Nepal, their bags are handmade and use sustainable materials. For every sale, they also plant three trees.
To top it all off, they also have plastic-free packaging!
Use the code ETHICALMAMA10 to get a 10% discount.
Terra Threads – Our runner-up!
Terra Threads are on a mission to create the most sustainable, affordable, ethical and durable range of backpacks on the market. They are B-Corp Certified, Fair Trade, GOTS certified and Carbon Neutral.
Terra Thread backpacks are made with GOTS-certified cotton canvas and lead-free zippers and fasteners and have a large range for the whole family.
Allegorie – The most unique!
Allegorie is dedicated to reducing food waste and manufactures the Gala Apple Leather Backpack from apple peels and other food waste from the juicing industry. One backpack uses the apple peels from about 550 apples.
Mind-boggling right?
Allegorie is PETA approved and is manufactured in the USA.
Mela
Mela bags are ethically produced in India and Sri Lanka. They are fair trade certified, use GOTS-certified cotton and create safe working conditions and pay.
Their backpacks are made from 100% organic and fair trade cotton, nickel and chrome-free fasteners and EVA rubber on their straps.
Hemper
Hemper manufactures handmade organic hemp backpacks that are dyed with natural, plant-based dyes. They are plastic free, ethically made, biodegradable and vegan. All bags are ethically produced in Nepal by creating safe working environments and fair wages.
Tiradia Cork
The Tiradia Signature Cork Backpack is made from natural cork and natural, plant-based dyes. It comes in a range of colors and is PETA certified.
Cork is an incredibly sustainable material. It doesn’t require much water and a cork tree lives for around 200 years, when the cork is harvested the outer layers of the bark are removed and the tree lives on.
This bag is also biodegradable and plastic-free.
Caminito
The Mercado Canasta Backpack is uniquely made from biodegradable palm leaves and vegetable-tanned leather straps in Mexico.
They also ensure all their artisans are working in safe conditions and receive a fair wage.
Day Owl
Whilst Day Owl isn’t plastic free, we thought it needed a mention. They’re on a mission to reduce landfill and create bags from recycled materials. This means that they make their fabric from plastic bottles.
If reducing landfill is important to you then Day Owl might be a brand that you consider.
Which non-toxic backpack will you choose?
We hope that gives you all the information you need to purchase the right non-toxic pack back for you and your family!
If you have any other suggestions, we’d love to hear about them!