Not only is the end material more sustainable, but the process to harvest the algae and create the material is incredibly beneficial to the environment (Credit: bioplasticsnews.com)
Earth Day or not, however, being eco-conscious year-round is a savvy move for brands aiming to target millennial buyers, who have shown a willingness to pay a premium for sustainable and organic products, according to an article on bioplasticsnews.com. That’s especially true for outdoor enthusiasts, who are often extra-conscious of the environmental impacts of their purchases. So perhaps not surprisingly, as a wardrobe staple for outdoorsy types, backpacks have long been made with eco-friendly materials, including recycled plastics and hemp fibers. However, one brand is introducing a new material into their bags: algae.
Vancouver-based Tentree International, Inc. makes their Mobius line of backpacks, totes and travel bags out of recycled products. However, the foam for their bags, which provides padding for laptops and shoulder cushioning, among other purposes, is made from algae foam. Tentree CEO and Founder Derrick Emsley, 28, says that the inventive process actually makes the environment better than they found it.
Not only is the end material more sustainable, but the process to harvest the algae and create the material is incredibly beneficial to the environment. While algae typically helps keep water ecology in balance, too much of it can actually hurt the freshwater habitats and the people and animals living around them. The algae foam is created by harvesting the algae from polluted water and recirculating clean water back into the environment.”
They source from Bloom Foam and are the first company to make bags out of the materials. Before working with Tentree, only shoes and surfboards were made from the organic, naturally occurring substance. But after Tentree and the team from Bloom met at a product convention, Emsley became convinced that if the algae could work for shoe padding, it could work for backpack padding.
