In the Vegan Fashion 101 series, we delve into the specifics of what makes a product vegan across various categories. Suitcases do require dedicated attention, and in our one and only Directory, we have listed eight brands that offer vegan suitcases made from certified materials. Let’s take a look into the anatomy of a vegan suitcase, and make sure to stay committed to protecting animals and reducing our impact on the planet as we pack, unpack, and collect miles.
THE SHELL
Granted, vegan suitcases are mostly made of plastic. Therefore, it is particularly important to seek those that are not only vegan-certified, but also made from recycled materials. Among hardshell materials, polypropylene (PP) boasts the highest recyclability characteristics (Dotdrops), as it can be separated from other plastic types, melted into a liquid, and turned into pellets to form new plastics. Globally, PP is one of the most widely used plastic types, with approximately 30% of all PP utilised by the packaging industry. According to AZoCleantech, PP can be recycled up to 4 times before it loses its properties and ends up in landfill. However, in the realm of hardshell suitcases, it is polycarbonate, not PP, that is the most popular material. Polycarbonate hard shells are renowned for their near-unbreakable durability and are often much lighter than they appear. Recycled polycarbonate can be made from both post-consumer and post-industrial plastic waste, but the recycling process is not as well-established as it is for other plastics. Efforts are being made to reduce impurities in recycled polycarbonate and improve its overall quality, however there is little incentive to develop a breakthrough technology as the demand for recycled polycarbonate remains pretty low when compared to other types of recycled plastics. For this reason, we strongly recommend choosing suitcases made from recycled polycarbonate and supporting brands that make the effort to source it responsibly (Got Bag, Design Lambert).
Soft shell suitcases are usually made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET), a polyester recycled specifically from plastic bottles and containers (Lefrik). rPET is created either mechanically or chemically by collecting used plastic bottles and containers, and sorting, washing and breaking them down to be spun into flexible, sturdy and water-repellent yarn. This recycling process is both well-established and widespread. For a brand’s claim on using rPET to be credible, certifications such as the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) are essential. GRS certification scheme requires a minimum input of 50% recycled material. Additional social, environmental, and chemical processing requirements that must be met as well. RCS’s scheme is easier to comply with and can be applied to products containing as little as 5% recycled material. For more information on certification schemes, visit our Directory.
Recent advancement in material engineering have made vegan leather increasingly sturdy, passing more material durability tests and gaining traction as customer confidence and demand for vegan leather products rise. For suitcases, vegan leather is additionally treated to enhance its waterproof characteristics (Aulive). Vegan leather suitcases are also significantly lighter than those made from animal leather.
THE LINING
The lining and webbing in suitcases are typically made from polyester. Therefore, a sustainable vegan suitcase should have its lining and webbing made from certified recycled polyester rather than virgin polyester. Recycled polyester is nearly identical to virgin polyester in terms of quality but requires 59% less energy for production. Additionally, recycled polyester fabric is often more affordable compared to other sustainable materials.
THE HARDWARE
This includes the rods, handles, zippers, and, last but not least, the wheels. Handles are usually made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or polyurethane (PU). Thermoplastic means it can be melted and reprocessed multiple times without significant chemical changes, which makes it more recyclable compared to polyurethanes, which undergo irreversible chemical changes when cured, and cannot be melted again. PU is also commonly used for outer zippers that require greater sturdiness, while inner zippers are often made of nylon.
Telescopic rods are usually made from aluminum, which is one of the most recycled – and recyclable – materials in use today. Recycled aluminum is often returned directly to its original form, and this process can be repeated infinitely without any loss of quality. Wheels and supporting parts can be made from various materials, including acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), which is a highly recyclable plastic as it can be reshaped multiple times without losing its properties. It is the same plastic that is often found in toys, home appliances, and automobile parts. Other materials used for wheels include polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), rubbery thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), and polyurethane (PU).
If you want to read about bags, here’s a separate article in the very same series.