10 Best Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Tote Bags

Sustainable and Eco-friendly tote bags have been taking over the bag scene. It’s the best compromise between using planet-infesting plastic and easily ripped paper bags.

However, the canvas totes that were first introduced were very plain and only served a practical purpose. Here’s our list of the 10 best sustainable and eco-friendly tote bags that will open your eyes to the stylish side of saving the planet.

Top 10 Stylish and Sustainable Tote Bags

Eco-friendly bags don’t have to look boring or non-aesthetic because there are so many stylish options nowadays. Here we have the 10 best sustainable and eco-friendly tote bags of 2023.

The Myra Upcycled Market Bag is not your average recycled tote bag. Its leather straps add a bit of luxury to this already stylish carry case. You can carry it like a hand bag or a sling, giving you more use of your hands on busy market trips.

Is this right for you?

This option is a good everyday sustainable tote bag. It’s big enough to hold a lot of items, plus the 4 compartments help keep things organized. A downside to this is that the outer material is a bit rough on the skin. If you have sensitive skin, wearing long sleeves may be a good idea while sporting this tote bag.

With its lightweight design, the Free to Roam Tote Bag is very versatile. It’s easily foldable to keep in your main bag or car and use only when needed. It can also be used as a main market bag since it has a very nice hand-painted design. Plus, it has compartments for your water bottle and wallet/phone.

Is this right for you?

The Free to Roam Tote Bag is a good option for people wanting an artsy, foldable bag to carry with them on the daily. However, despite its big size, its lightweight design means it is not built for extremely heavy items.6

The Out of the Woods Rope Handle Tote lets you stay stylish while doing errands. It may only have one big compartment, but it fits all your essentials and a bunch of grocery items. It’s also perfect for busy days in the office where you need to bring your work home.

Is this right for you?

This tote bag is made for everyone. It’s practical enough that it can be used for daily errands, yet chic enough to use on semi-formal occasions. Plus, this paper-based tote is the only one of its kind that is water-resistant– perfect for the beach!

Opting for the Malia Recycled Round Small Bin will get you a durable round tote while helping empower marginalized communities around the world.

Made of double-ply recycled fish feed bags, this round tote is ultra durable and water-resistant. It can be used for marketing, toy storage or even a beach bag.

Is this right for you?

This round tote bag is great for anyone looking to go green while helping a good cause. However, if you’re looking for something on the aesthetic side, this may not be the tote for you.

Made in Australia, the Citizen Wolf Zero Waste Tote (2nd Edition) takes zero waste seriously. It uses offcut fabric from t-shirts for its outer patchwork. For the lining, it upcycles banners from the City of Sydney, adding a unique decorative element to the inside of the bag.

Is this right for you?

This zero-waste fabric tote is perfect for those that are into color block patterns while having easy access to essential items. The tote has an external screen printed pocket for your wallet and an interior pocket to keep your phone secure.

The Eco Right Canvas Tote Bag is made of 100% natural clothes fabric with long handles for easy carrying. Plus, it makes you feel extra good about your purchase because it’s manufactured in ethically certified facilities which run on solar power. That means less carbon footprint for production.

Is this right for you?

This tote is a great option if you are conscious about how products are being manufactured and its equivalent carbon footprint. Plus, it has 25 designs to choose from. Getting more than one is a no-brainer too because it’s lightweight and packable.

Unlike other tote bags mentioned so far, the Pixie Mood Alicia Tote II is by far the most elegant. Made with 100% vegan leather, and metal purse feet, this tote bag is better used for special occasions. However, it comes with a pouch that you can use for everyday activities.

Is this right for you?

This tote looks expensive, and it is. But you get quality craftsmanship, and an eco-friendly alternative to designer-looking bags. Plus, you are getting 2 bags in one, so you really are getting a lot for what you pay for.

This next option is more of a luggage piece than a regular tote. The MadeWell (Re)sourced Ripstop Nylon Tote Bag is wide, allowing you to fit way more stuff inside. Plus, it also has big mesh compartments outside for easy access to essentials like your water bottle and wallet. For even more convenience, this tote has an o-ring for clipping your keys!

Is this right for you?

Given the size, this tote bag is perfect for short trips or as an everyday gym bag. The recycled nylon allows you to keep wet clothes inside while keeping the mesh pockets dry.

What’s better than having a reusable tote bag? Having more than 1! The Simple Ecology Organic Reusable Canvas & Jute Tote Bag comes in bundle options of 2 or 3. The duo pack has the XL tote with a matching mini one, while the pack of 3 all have XL sizes. No matter the size, each tote is made with heavy-duty construction for added strength & durability that comes with its padded cotton webbing briefcase style handles.

Is this right for you?

This tote is perfect as giveaways and help spread the good word of going green. Or you can also buy a few sets to distribute among members of the family. That way, everyone has one wherever they go.

Last but not least on our list is the NAZ Tote Bag. It’s simple and minimalist with an inside pocket and strong handles. The 100% cotton material is durable yet lightweight. This makes it perfect to keep in your everyday bag for when you need an emergency grocery run.

Is this right for you?

The NAZ tote bag has everything you need in a packable reusable tote.It’s great for grocery shopping or even just a daily bag. The minimalist design also makes it versatile to match with any outfit.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Tote Bags: Everything You Need To Know

I know it seems like all the listed bamboo toilet papers are the same, and making a decision on which to get is a bit overwhelming. But fret not. In this section, we’ll be differentiating them to make the choice easier for you.

Materials

There were a few sustainable materials that were mentioned. Let’s go over a few of them.

Canvas

This is the most common material for tote bags like the NAZ Tote Bag. This is because cotton canvas is known for being very durable and thus 100% recyclable.

Recycled Sacks

Feed sacks like those used in the Malia Recycled Round Small Bin is also a good material because it is strong enough to carry heavy loads. Plus, being plastic-based means it’s also waterproof.

Off cut fabrics

Patching different fabric off cuts is a good way to go zero waste. It also makes for an interesting design as seen on the Citizen Wolf Zero Waste Tote (2nd Edition).

Vegan leather

Another eco-friendly material that is becoming more popular in the textile industry is vegan leather. But what is it? Vegan leather is usually derived from polyurethane, but more sustainable options, such as plant fibers have been discovered (1).

[Vegan Leather] can also be made from innovative and sustainable materials such as pineapple leaves, cork, apple peels, other fruit waste, and recycled plastic and used to create products that put animal skins to shame.

The Pixie Mood Alicia Tote II is a perfect example of just how sophisticated vegan leather looks.

Dimensions

When it comes to tote bags, size does matter, mainly because bigger bags hold more things. The MadeWell (Re)sourced Ripstop Nylon Tote Bag is the biggest bag on the list that can even double as a carry-on for short trips. Meanwhile, the Simple Ecology Organic Reusable Canvas & Jute Tote Bag comes in 2 sizes and even bundle options. This is great for gifting or just in case you need a smaller bag for a light shopping day.

Number of Compartments

Compartments are awesome to have if you like organizing things inside your bag. Most lightweight/foldable tote bags have just 2 compartments, including a small pocket for your phone/ wallet. However, the Myra Upcycled Market Bag has 4 compartments for easy organization. After all, it’s such a hassle to have to dig through your bag just to look for your keys/ cards buried deep under.

Color/Design

Bags in general are more than just a practical way of carrying things. It has also become a fashion choice, and this includes tote bags.

We’ve included a bunch of different designs from the beautiful Free to Roam Tote Bag which is hand-painted to the luxurious Pixie Mood Alicia Tote II made of vegan leather.

If you’re looking to collect different print designs, the Eco Right Canvas Tote Bag boasts 25 fun designs to choose from. However, some people are looking for a more refined tote like the Out of the Woods Rope Handle Tote.

The beauty of this is that you can never have enough reusable bags. So feel free to get a variety that suits your personality and needs.

If you want to learn more about the ecological component of using eco-bags, then watch this detailed video:

Final Thoughts

With the plastic crisis getting worse, more and more people are looking into sustainable bagging options. On the bright side, choosing a tote bag doesn’t just have to be a practical choice. With different designs and materials to choose from, you can pick out a tote bag that fits your shopping and fashion needs.