What Makes a Bag Sustainable? Here's What to Actually Look For
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Spoiler: It’s not just a canvas tote and a “green” logo.
In a world where everyone and their dog claims to be "eco-friendly," it’s getting harder to tell which bags are actually sustainable—and which ones are just riding the greenwashing wave.
At Monarc, sustainability isn't a side hustle—it’s our DNA. But we get it: the buzzwords can be confusing. So let’s break it down.
♻️ 1. Recycled Materials: Start with the Source
If your bag isn’t made from recycled or low-impact materials, it’s already off to a rough start.
Look for:
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rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate), often made from plastic bottles.
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Recycled nylon or recycled canvas.
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Bonus: Materials certified by third parties like Global Recycled Standard (GRS) or bluesign®.
👉 At Monarc, every bag is made from recycled plastic bottles—our duffel, for example, uses 50 of them. Yup, trash never looked so good.
🌎 2. Certified Impact, Not Just Vibes
“Eco-friendly” is meaningless without proof. Real sustainability shows up in certifications and measurable actions.
Look for brands that are:
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Plastic Negative or Carbon Neutral certified
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Partnering with environmental orgs or verified clean-up projects
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Transparent with lifecycle impact data
✅ We’re proud to be the world’s first Plastic Negative bag company, meaning we remove twice as much plastic from the environment as we use to make our products.
🧵 3. Built to Last (Because Landfills Aren’t Trendy)
Durability is the unsung hero of sustainability. A bag that lasts 10 years is way more sustainable than a “green” one that falls apart after a season.
What to check:
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Heavy-duty zippers
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Reinforced stitching and seams
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Water-resistant materials
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Versatility—so you don’t need five different bags for five different things
💪 Monarc bags are built for the long haul. We design for people who travel, work, move, and live with their gear.
🚫 4. No Extra Plastic Packaging
It’s wild how many “sustainable” brands ship their products wrapped in layers of plastic. The irony hurts.
Look for:
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Recyclable or compostable packaging
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Minimalism over marketing fluff
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Transparency about what’s in the box
📦 All Monarc packaging is plastic-free, minimal, and designed to be reused or recycled.
🔁 5. Brand Accountability: Do They Walk the Talk?
You want a brand that’s not just selling a bag—they’re part of the solution. That means:
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They invest in cleanup, not just consumption
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They talk about impact even when it's not trendy
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They don’t pretend to be perfect, but they keep improving
👋 That’s us. From reducing supply chain waste to supporting ethical factories and giving back through verified clean-up efforts, we’re in it for real.
TL;DR – Here’s Your Sustainable Bag Checklist:
✅ Recycled materials
✅ Certified impact (Plastic Negative, bluesign®, etc.)
✅ Built for long-term use
✅ Plastic-free packaging
✅ Transparent and accountable brand
Ready to Ditch the Greenwashing?
Whether you’re hopping on a plane, commuting to work, or just living a little lighter, Monarc’s sustainable bags are built to move with you—and protect the planet while we’re at it.
