5 MIN READ
8-05-2024
Sustainable
Backpack Guide
Mikaela Walsh, 4ocean Research Analyst
Back(pack) to school; a sustainable school year starts here!
It’s that time again—the school year is about to begin, and preparation for all the grades is in full effect!
In light of the summer ending and the beginning of the school year, we partnered with an incredible organization, GOT BAG.
GOT BAG has a similar mission to ours. They saw the amount of plastic debris taking over the ocean and decided to create generational change to end the oceanic plastic crisis. All the bags are made from recycled oceanic plastic, and with every purchase, 4ocean is dedicated to removing one pound of plastic debris from the ocean.
GOT BAG EASY PACK ZIP
Perfect for elementary, middle, and high school students and teachers!
Key Features
- 13” Laptop compartment
- Adjustable and ergonomic shoulder straps
- Minimalist front zipper pocket
- Big main compartment with bottle strap
- Inside zipper pocket with key ring
- Inside document compartment
- Hidden back pocket
GOT BAG DAYPACK LOOP
Perfect for high school and college students!
Key Features
- Integrated 15” laptop compartment
- Main compartment with two-way zipper
- Concealed front compartment with GOT BAG flag
- Front daisy chains
- Elastic side pockets
- Inside mesh zipper pocket
- Two inner slip pockets
- Hidden back pocket
- Ergonomic shoulder straps
- Padded back with luggage sleeve
GOT BAG DAYPACK 2.0
Perfect for high school and college students!
Key Features
- Integrated 14” laptop compartment
- Inside zipper pocket
- Padded back with luggage sleeve
Materials:
- Water-resistant/repellant
- Main fabric is made of Recycled Ocean Impact Plastic
- PFC and PVC free
Cleaning Care for GOT BAG:
- Microfiber cloth with warm water and neutral soup.
- Do not wash in the washing machine, tumble dry, iron, or dry clean.
Plastic pollution is taking over the oceans and waterways across the globe. It is estimated that 11 million metric tons of plastic debris enter the ocean each year, and 200 million metric tons are currently circling in the environment. Estimates show that upwards of 80% of all pollution is plastic debris.
Plastic pollution has very harmful effects on the environment and aquatic organisms. Plastic debris is not biodegradable but will break down into smaller pieces of plastic called microplastics. These microplastics are significantly minuscule and travel through the food chain of aquatic animals. Many organisms are confronted with this plastic debris, which can cause inflammation, intestinal blockages, and tears, leading to starvation. It is not too late to stop plastic from overtaking the ocean; the time to act is now.
The truth about recycling is that only 9% of the plastic produced has been recycled, leaving 79% to end up in landfills and the environment.
The good news is that the material used for these backpacks is recycled oceanic plastic. To make it even better, an additional pound of plastic will be removed from the ocean for every backpack purchased.
These backpacks are multipurpose, sustainable, stylish, affordable, and save the ocean!
When shopping for back-to-school, make it a mission to support businesses that are good for the environment and choose sustainable options. In California, schools and universities alone generate upwards of 562,000 tons of waste annually.
- Encourage local schools to recycle and opt for eco-friendly options.
- Go back to school shopping with sustainability as a priority.
- Try to eliminate single-use plastic as much as possible.
- Pack lunches in reusable materials.
- Support organizations and businesses that have dedicated their mission to creating less waste for the environment.
There are many ways to help ensure the environment is not further harmed when shopping for back-to-school. Gotbag and 4ocean teamed up to make cleaning the ocean accessible for everyone.
