Are backpacks recyclable?

Growing up, the best part about going back to school was my new backpack It might have been poor quality or overloading it with heavy textbooks but by the end of the school year, my backpack was always torn and broken. Mom grumbled and complained but had no choice but to buy me a new one every single year. I loved it. Nearly every student wears a backpack to school, but we often don’t think about the repercussions of the worn out bags that are discarded each year. Backpacks are not easily recyclable. You can’t just leave it in your curbside recycling bin. Instead, you’ll need to find a recycling center that accepts backpacks for recycling. At the recycling center, the non-recyclable parts of the backpack are removed. Natural fabric like cotton is composted or recycled while synthetic ones like polyester are pelletized into recycled plastics.

Can backpacks be recycled?

Backpacks are very difficult to recycle. Unfortunately, you can’t just throw it in your curbside recycling bin for collection. As most recycling centers don’t accept backpacks, you’ll need to send it off to a recycling facility that processes backpacks. At the recycling center, the non-recyclable parts of the backpack like the zips and snaps are removed. Cotton, hemp and other natural fibers are recycled or composted. Polyester and other plastics are pelletized and sent off to be made into new recycled plastic products.

How can I recycle old backpacks?

There are only a few places you can turn in old backpacks for recycling. Check with your local recycling center to find out if they accept backpacks. You can also send them away to companies that accept backpacks for recycling. An example is:

Terracycle

You can buy a Zero Waste Box(TM) from Terracycle to recycle not just your backpack, but virtually any other household item. Unfortunately, their boxes are pricey and I would find it hard to justify paying so much, even if it’s for a good cause.

Earth911

You can also use Earth911’s recycling search to find your local recycling center that accepts backpacks. Unfortunately, you can’t search for backpacks or bags as there are none listed. Start by searching textiles and calling up the recycling centers that accept clothing to ask if they take backpacks. If all that sounds too expensive and time-consuming, let’s look at some other options for making full use of your backpacks:

How to reuse (upcycle) old backpacks?

Repair it

Does your child’s backpack have huge holes in the side that is too big to sew up? Use a fabric patch. You can take it from another old backpack or buy fabric patches on Amazon. Not only can the fabric be cut to cover the hole, it makes your kid’s backpack even more unique and cool.

Is the zipper or strap broken? Try taking it to a shoe repair shop to re-stitch the straps and change the zipper.

Check out these iron-on/ sew-on Mountain Adventure patches:

Check it out on Amazon

Hand it down

If your child simply outgrew their backpack or stopped wanting to use it for no apparent reason, you don’t have to throw it away. Hand it down to your other children or to smaller cousins. This is another reason why buying ‘unisex’ backpacks are better than obviously girly or boyish ones. Yellow backpacks are bright and sunny, perfect for girls and boys alike:

Check it out on Amazon

Scrap-bag for parts

One of the best uses of old backpacks is to use them for parts. Think of it like organ donation. You can take parts of the fabric and relocate the zippers. You can even sew parts of the backpack into new pockets on your new bag. That way, your old backpack’s legacy lives on.

Reimagine its function

A good quality children’s backpack lasts a surprisingly long time. You don’t have to use a backpack only as a backpack. You could use it to keep your child’s small toys in one place – like annoying Lego pieces and small building blocks. You could even use it as a tool box to keep your extra tools or as storage for anything else you want. You don’t need the straps to work if you’re only using it to hold stuff.

Sell it

It’s amazing what people will buy at car boot or garage sales. Even if there’s a wonky strap, someone would probably buy your child’s backpack. And even if you don’t get a buyer, you’ll find someone to take it off your hands for free. Hey, extra cash never goes to waste. If you feel bad about it, donate the money you make to charity. Obviously, the easiest way is to just donate the backpack:

Where to donate old backpacks?

Donating is a great way to give your child’s backpack a second life somewhere else.

Family and friends

As kids, we looked forward to hand-me-downs from our cousins. They had much better clothes than what mom would buy. Think of your extended family and friends. There might be some kid who is just waiting in the wings for your child’s awesome SkipHop Backpack.

Check it out on Amazon

Local charities

There are countless local charities and nonprofits collecting unwanted backpacks to rehome, repurpose or recycle. If you don’t know of any nearby drop-off bins, the best way to find them is by searching online.

Are backpacks bad for the environment?

It doesn’t sound like backpacks are easily recyclable are they? You’re right, they are not. Aside from a rare few natural fiber backpacks, the majority of backpacks are made of polyester or nylon. These plastics are not biodegradable and are difficult to recycle. Chances are, your child’s backpack will still be hanging out in landfills long after you’re gone. That’s why its important to make full use of a backpack that you already have.

What are recycled backpacks made of?

I wish I could say recycled backpacks are made of old backpacks. That would be awesome! Most recycled backpacks are made of recycled plastic bottles, recycled polyester or nylon. Which is still great because its helping to reduce waste in landfills. The backpack brands who make recycled backpacks are also more committed to sustainable and ethical practices, which is better for the environment. Fenrici makes their backpacks from recycled canvas and for every backpack you buy, they make a donation to Global Genes.

Check it out on Amazon

To wrap up

Backpacks are not easily recyclable so buy a good quality backpack and make it last. Just make sure it’s not too big for your child. Even if you need to buy your child a new backpack at the start of every school year, you can still make full use of their old backpack by repurposing or donating it.