Non-Toxic Luggage for Safe Travels
We all have countless opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint and also do our part for Mother Earth. If you feel guilty about getting on a plane or driving a long distance, you may be looking for ways to balance things out. A great way to do this is to think about your luggage bags and, more importantly, their source material.
If you’re interested in purchasing luggage that doesn’t contribute to pollution, keep reading. We’ve compiled some of the best eco-friendly luggage items for your next excursion.
How Can Luggage Be Considered ‘Non-Toxic?’
You might be used to seeing “non-toxic” on things like nail polish, cleaning products, cooking ware, lightbulbs, and other common household items, but considering non-toxic luggage might be a novel concept. When we talk about non-toxic luggage, we’re generally referring to luggage that is free of bisphenols and other potentially harmful compounds.
If bisphenols, or BPAs, sound familiar, that’s because you may have read about them on Proposition 65 labels. This is a requirement of California manufacturers to inform consumers when products they’re buying contain chemicals (such as BPAs) that may increase the risk of cancer or birth defects. We’ve sought out pieces of luggage that are made from sustainable materials and additionally do not have a Proposition 65 label attached to them.
Top 5 Non-Toxic Luggage Pieces: How We Chose
To make this list, we kept the following factors in mind:
- Durability. We want these luggage sets to last you a very long time and to provide protection for your belongings. Sustainable products are investments, after all.
- Style. Function, sustainability, and non-toxicity come before aesthetics, but we’re confident our entries will turn some heads at the airport terminals.
- Variety. Whether you’re a frequent or infrequent traveler, weekday warrior or extended-stay vacationer, our list has something for everyone.
Our Picks
All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author and DGHQ editors. However, Do Good HQ may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.
1. Monos Check-In Large Suitcase
| Material | Vegan leather, polycarbonate shell |
| Dimensions | 30” x 21” x 11” (exterior); 28” x 20.5” (interior) |
| Price at Publishing | $355 |
Monos’ checked suitcase is dynamic enough for almost any overnight trip. This non-toxic luggage rolls smoothly and has enough compartments to keep your belongings in order. It holds 99 liters and weighs under 11 pounds. You’ll also get two shoe bags, a laundry bag, and your own vegan leather tag with each purchase.
Highlights
This piece of eco-friendly luggage is durable enough to survive any rough-and-tumble journey. It includes a TSA-approved lock, telescopic handle, and non-obnoxious (silent) wheels that will have everyone else at the airport jealous. The outer shell is water-resistant made from partially recycled materials. Its soft lining consists entirely of recycled polyester.
Things to Consider
Monos offers free shipping to customers located in the U.S. or Canada. Their products have a lifetime limited warranty and a free 100-day trial period. You may also get a discount on this piece if you purchase other Monos products.
2. REI Big Haul 28 Recycled Duffel
| Certifications | Contains Bluesign materials; Climate Neutral Certified brand |
| Materials | Recycled ripstop and ballistic nylon |
| Dimensions | 19” x 9.5” x 9 |
| Price at Publishing | $69.93 |
This environmentally friendly luggage from REI, a co-op, can perfectly handle day trips or overnight trips for the thrifty packer. Many travelers use this duffel bag as their carry-on item. It also has a removable shoulder strap for easy carrying and zipped exterior and interior pockets.
Highlights
This bag has plenty of straps and handles for hooking and holding extra gear. Travelers and campers alike are in love with this piece of luggage.
Things to Consider
REI’s 28-liter duffel bag may not fit everything you need for a weekend trip, but it could be the perfect complement to your existing luggage set or a standalone bag for a day trip of mountain biking, bouldering, or hiking. REI does require a membership, but new members often enjoy a host of perks and discounts.
3. Db Ramvert Carry-On Black Out
| Certifications | Db is a certified B Corporation |
| Materials | Recycled polyester, 70% recycled polycarbonate |
| Dimensions | 54.5 x 37 x 20.5 cm |
| Price at Publishing | $499 |
Non-toxic luggage from Db, a B Corporation, reliably consists of phthalate- and BPA-free materials recycled from postconsumer items. While this piece, which may fit the carry-on size requirements at some airlines, has plenty of capacity and is likely enough for many weekend getaways.
Highlights
What doesn’t this Db product have? A TSA-approved lock? 360-degree wheels? Extra durable polycarbonate shell? A sleek telescopic handle? A 16-inch interior laptop compartment? It has all of those. You can get it in black, red, yellow, green, or beige.
Things to Consider
Although it’s a little pricy for a carry-on bag, the lengths Db goes to for the environment make this bag a worthy investment. The wheels are faster than greased lightning, but it’s lightweight and a perfect tote for crowded areas.
4. Made Trade (Anchal) Cross Stitch Medium Toiletry Bag
| Certifications | Vegan, Fair Trade certified |
| Materials | GOTS-certified organic cotton |
| Dimensions | 8” x 3” x 5” |
| Price at Publishing | $36 |
Don’t forget—non-toxic luggage includes your toiletries! This nifty little cotton bag has an exterior zipped pocket for quick-access items. These gorgeous products are hand-stitched by an esteemed artisan located in Ajmer, India.
Highlights
Although it’s small enough to fit inside almost any checked bag (and many carry-on bags), we were pleasantly surprised at how much we could fit in here. In fact, it stands up well on its own for convenient access at the bathroom sink.
Things to Consider
Who knew toiletry bags could be so elegant? The gold-toned zippers add a nice touch to an already-colorful product. Anchal is owned by two American sisters who were inspired to help lift women out of the commercial sex trade that is prevalent in the Ajmer, India area.
5. The Aviator Trunk Set (Paravel)
| Certifications | Carbon neutral suitcase; Paravel’s Code of Social Responsibility |
| Materials | 99% recycled polycarbonate, recycled aluminum, vegan leather, Negative Nylon made from recycled plastic bottles |
| Dimensions | 16.67” x 31” x 13.88” |
| Price at Publishing | $552 |
Paravel’s Aviator luggage set is claimed to be the world’s first carbon neutral suitcase. The company offsets all emissions used in sourcing, producing, and also shipping the non-toxic luggage. This trunk holds 95 liters of volume and also comes with a seven-compartment Packing Suite.
Highlights
While the Packing Suite can help keep your belongings organized, it still leaves room inside the trunk for other overnight necessities. When you’re not using it, just fold it up for compact storage at home. The trunk has all the bells as well as whistles you’d expect: telescoping handle, 360-degree wheels and interior compartments.
Things to Consider
This product is perfect for business professionals who are frequent fliers at extended stay hotels. As a matter of fact, the Aviator line comes with a 10-year limited warranty that covers defects. The 95-liter trunk weighs more than 12 pounds, but is durable and has a scuff-hiding outer finish.
Choosing Your Own Non-Toxic Luggage Brands
Your next luggage purchase could be the last one for years or decades. To make sure you get it right, you may want to think about the following:
- Your budget
- How much space you need on a typical trip
- Carrying capabilities of luggage bags
- Security as well as durability
All in all, there are many sustainable, non-toxic luggage brands that don’t compromise on style and durability. Finding the one for you can help make your vacations more enjoyable!
Featured image via REI
