the best eco-friendly laptop cases
Costing up to a few thousand dollars, laptops are expensive and valuable electronics that have become, over the past two decades, an essential tool in most people’s lives. However, producing electronics is a very unsustainable and unethical activity.
For instance, we need to mine rare minerals which are non-renewable resources. Mining is extremely damaging to the environment, not to mention the miners who work in very unhealthy and unsafe conditions.
The manufacturing process also relies on huge amounts of energy and water, and it has a massive carbon footprint. And at the end of their lives, electronics become e-waste which causes many other environmental issues.
Of course, we cannot completely stop using electronics as they play such a big role in today’s society. But what we can do is prolong their lives for as long as possible.
That is why we need to protect our precious laptops from spills, drops, scratches, and bumps. A high-quality laptop sleeve is a must-have, whether you need to take your laptop with you on your faraway adventures, on your commute to work, or on your next trip to the coffee shop.
We have selected nine brands that sell sustainable laptop sleeves to keep your laptop safe from the hustle and bustle of your daily life!
click - here - to check out sustainable backpacks to house your sleeves
WHAT MAKES A LAPTOP SLEEVE SUSTAINABLE?
A laptop sleeve is eco-friendly when it is made with high-quality, sustainable materials in an ethical way. The workers who make it should be paid a fair wage and work in safe working conditions. The laptop sleeve should be built to last for many years without getting worn down.
A sustainable laptop sleeve should also protect your laptop efficiently. As we mentioned, electronics are damaging to the environment, so the sleeve needs to keep your laptop safe so that it can function well for many years to come.
WHAT ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS SHOULD YOU SEARCH FOR?
Sustainable laptop sleeves can be made from a variety of eco-friendly materials. If you can find a sleeve made of organic cotton, hemp or linen, that is amazing! But you could also choose one made using upcycled fabrics, or recycled materials like recycled polyester and recycled cotton.
Some laptop sleeves are made of leather, which is a durable material. But try to choose leather sourced from a tannery that was Gold-rated by the Leather Working Group, and that is tanned naturally using vegetable tannins.
Laptop sleeves made from apple leather, or any other type of vegan leather made using discarded fruits, are another eco-friendly option!
now, our favorite sustainable laptop sleeves:
1) Allegorie
Materials: Apple Leather
Price: $235
Allégorie is an innovative, women-owned brand that creates different kinds of bags, including backpacks, purses and wallets, all from food waste. The brand has a tech case, the Gala Tech Folio Bag, where you can store a 13” laptop, a tablet as well many other accessories and work essentials. It has a main compartment with a laptop sleeve and a larger pocket that is big enough to fit a few notebooks and a tablet. The case also features two smaller pockets that are practical for storing a phone, a wallet, keys and earphones.
Allégorie’s tech case is made of apple leather, crafted from plant-based materials and discarded apple peels from the juice industry.
The biobased materials are USDA-certified and the final tech case is 100% free of PVC. It is certified by the World Fair Trade Organization because it was made ethically, following all Fair Trade principles.
The laptop case is also OEKO-TEX-certified, meaning that it does not contain any harmful chemicals, so it is entirely safe for you!
Available in pink, black and brown, the Gala Tech Folio Bag is very stylish and timeless, but also highly practical and functional. It has a detachable and adjustable shoulder strap which allows you to carry it as a regular bag or to easily slip it into another bag as a laptop sleeve.
Shop Allegorie2) Himal
Materials: Wild Nettle, Hemp, & Organic Cotton
Price: $53+
For a truly unique laptop cover, Himal offers sleeves made out of hemp and Himalayan nettle!
Nettle is a strong, fine, and elastic plant that grows super quickly.
It's been harvested in Nepal for centuries as a source of fiber, food, and medicinal reasons.
It grows wild so it's naturally organic, and nearly all parts of the plant can be used for different purposes (making it not only organic but also zero waste).
Hemp is very similar in that it grows naturally (without the just of pesticides or herbicides) and doesn't require very much space, water, or other resources. Since growing hemp agriculturally is still outlawed in Nepal, all of the hemp they source from Nepal comes from the wild.
To make their Wild Nettle and Hemp laptop sleeve (which is available in black or natural undyed), the Himal team uses traditional methods of harvesting, spinning, and weaving which helps keep this ancient craft alive. The back and front are made with hemp, the front sleeve (for pens, chargers, a notepad, etc.) is made out of nettle, and the inner cushion is made out of organic cotton.
These sustainable laptop sleeves are available in three sizes for 13-inch laptops, 15-16 inch laptops, and 18-inch laptops.
All of their pieces are handmade in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Shop Himal3) Dare to Roam
Materials: Nylon, Polyester
Price: $60
Dare To Roam is an American brand that sells backpacks, duffle bags, tote bags and other accessories for everyday life. The brand sells the Sidekick laptop case, available in black, navy blue and light pink. It has a flocked, padded compartment that can fit a laptop up to 15” and that is designed to protect your computer from damage.The laptop sleeve also features a front slip pocket with a magnetic snap where you can easily put a small notebook, a mouse and a few office supplies. The top handles are very sturdy and constructed of branded jacquard webbing.
The laptop case is made with Dare To Roam’s special anti-microbial and water-resistant finish. The brand uses its patented technology, which consists in using silver ions to create a barrier that inhibits the spread of bacteria, fungi and mold.
Since there are fewer microbes on the laptop sleeve, bad odors and stains are less likely to appear, and the case stays clean and fresh for longer.
Dare To Roam is a certified B Corporation and it ships its products in biodegradable, recycled or recyclable mailers and boxes.
For every purchase made, the company donates 3% of the proceeds to the Why Not You Foundation, which aims to fight poverty through the education of children.
Shop Dare to Roam4) Flowfold
Materials: Recycled Polyester, Nylon, Polyester
Price: $40
Flowfold is a Maine-based company creating high-quality wallets, backpacks, dog gear and many other accessories. The brand has a sleeve for 13” and 15” laptops. Even though the laptop case has a simple design, it is well-made and sturdy, and its padded interior structure protects your electronics from scratches, drops, spills and bumps.
Highly functional and lightweight, it features a convenient outer zip pocket that is ideal to store all your tech accessories, from your charger to your earphones and mouse.
Flowfold’s laptop sleeve is handmade in the United States using durable, water-repellent fabrics. The Purple/Light Grey and the Olive/Brick Red versions of this case are made from 100% recycled polyester. It does not contain any PVC, TPU, DWR or other toxic coatings, and it is free of volatile organic compounds, meaning that it is safer for you!
You can also choose this laptop sleeve in Heather Grey or Jet Black. Made of nylon and polyester, they are very durable and crafted to stand up to abrasion, moisture and stress.
Almost all the materials Flowfold uses are sourced locally, meaning that the carbon footprint of its products is lower compared to other products on the market. The company also offers a lifetime warranty on its laptop sleeves.
Shop Flowfold5) Cotopaxi
Materials: Repurposed Fabric
Price: $30-35
Cotopaxi creates sustainably made backpacks and other outdoor gear for women and men.
The company sells two laptop sleeves, one for 13” laptops and the other for 15” computers, and both are one-of-a-kind, available in a variety of vibrant colors.
With their soft fleece interior lining, they are designed to give padded protection to your laptop when you are on the go.
Cotopaxi’s laptop sleeves are crafted with 100% repurposed fabric: they are made with repurposed polyester, foam and fleece that were all unused left-over materials from other companies’ large production runs.
Thanks to these sleeves, you are not only making sure your laptop is safe and protected, but you are also preventing high-quality fabrics from ending up in landfills!
Cotopaxi is a certified B Corporation and it is very transparent about its carbon footprint. It is entirely climate-neutral since it offsets all its CO2 emissions. The brand also launched repairs and resale options to extend the life of its products and for them to stay out of the waste stream for as long as possible.
It donates 1% of its revenues to the Cotopaxi Foundation, which distributes grants to non-profit organizations fighting extreme poverty and investing in health and education in Latin America’s poorest communities.
Shop Cotopaxi6) Terra Thread
Materials: Organic Cotton
Price: $36-40
Terra Thread is a sustainable brand that sells all kinds of bags for everyday life, from backpacks to gym bags to toiletry bags.
It has two different laptop sleeves that can either fit 13” or 15” laptops. Available in many colors, both models feature an inside lining to provide padding and extra protection for your electronics.
They also have an outside pocket where you can store chargers, notebooks and office supplies.
Terra Thread’s laptop sleeves are built to last and made with 14 oz heavy-duty organic cotton canvas. The zippers are lead-free, and the cotton used by the brand is GOTS-certified as well as Fairtrade.
The company’s products are all made in a Fair Trade certified factory, meaning that workers are paid a fair wage, offered safe working conditions, and not exposed to toxic chemicals. Terra Thread’s whole supply chain is also very transparent and traceable.
With each purchase of a Terra Thread laptop sleeve, the brand helps and supports Feeding America, which is on a journey to end hunger in the United States by donating meals to families in need.
Terra Thread is a certified B Corporation. It is also completely carbon-neutral since it offsets its whole carbon footprint by investing in renewable energy, reforestation and social impact projects.
Shop Terra Thread7) Ten Thousand Villages
Materials: Recycled Cotton
Price: $35
Ten Thousand Villages is a brand that sells beautiful creations crafted by talented artisans from all around the world. It has a very large selection of home goods, accessories and self-care products.
The company sells a laptop sleeve that can fit most 15” laptops. This Sari and Jute sleeve is white and features sari accents. The design is stunning and unique! Well padded, this laptop sleeve provides great protection for your valuable computer. It is built to last with durable and sustainable materials.
Handcrafted in Bangladesh, it is made of recycled cotton by artisans working with Ten Thousand Villages’ fair trade partner, Dhaka Handicrafts. Dhaka Handicrafts is an organization that works with makers in rural Bangladesh, and it aims to improve their social and economic well-being.
When you purchase a product from Ten Thousand Villages, you are helping families to remain out of the cycle of poverty. The brand works with more than 75 partners in 25 developing countries, improving the lives of more than 20,000 makers.
Ten Thousand Villages is a founding member of the Fair Trade Organization and a member of the Fair Trade Federation.
Shop Ten Thousand Villages8) O My Bag
Materials: Organic Cotton, Leather
Price: $33-143
O My Bag is a Dutch brand that creates bags and accessories for both women and men.
The brand has a large selection of laptop sleeves that are all stylish and beautifully designed.
Its striped cotton sleeve, available in two colors, is made to protect any 13” laptop thanks to its soft interior padding. It is made of GOTS-certified organic cotton, and it features a velcro fastening so that you can access your computer with ease.
O My Bag also sells different laptop sleeves made of leather. The brand’s leather is tanned without harmful chemicals using vegetable tannins, and it has no synthetic top finish. The leather ages beautifully over time, gets softer, deepens in color and develops a nice sheen.
Almost all O My Bag leather laptop sleeves are made in a factory that is recognized as fair trade by the World Fair Trade Organization. The company also won the Sustainable Leather Awards in 2015 for its eco-friendly leather materials.
O My Bag is a certified B Corporation and donates 1% of its revenues to support projects promoting education and women empowerment in India. The brand ships its products in recycled materials that are FSC-certified, and its whole shipping process is carbon-neutral.
Shop O My Bag9) Parker Clay
Materials: Leather
Price: $68-118
Parker Clay crafts premium leather bags while employing women that used to work in the commercial sex industry in Ethiopia, offering them stable, safe and dignified jobs.
The brand sells three laptop sleeves, all made to keep your precious computer safe wherever you go.
Their soft interior lining is designed to protect your laptop from bumps, drops and damage.
Parker Clay’s Sira sleeve fits 13” laptops and features a zipper closure and two interior pockets to organize your essentials.
Parker Clay also has another model, the Presidio, which is available for 13” and 15” laptops. Created in rust brown, dark brown or black, its simple and chic design makes it the perfect laptop sleeve for work trips and meetings.
If you want a more unique and personalized laptop sleeve, you can even choose to have these sleeves monogrammed!
Parker Clay’s laptop sleeves are handmade using sustainably sourced leather that is a byproduct of local Ethiopian farming industries. The tanning process used to make this leather recycles water and is done using traditional techniques and knowledge.
The leather develops a unique shine and patina as it gets older, so it should become more and more beautiful with time.
Parker Clay is a certified B Corporation that pays its artisans fair wages and strives to keep its environmental footprint minimal.
Shop Parker Clay10) Issara
Materials: Leather, Cotton
Price: $139-200
Issara creates minimalist-looking leather bags and wallets for travel and work, for both men and women.
The brand has a classic laptop sleeve, available in different sizes, that is designed to store 11”, 12”, 13” and 15” laptops. You can get it in the colors black, navy blue, orange/brown or dark red. The sleeve is padded to protect your electronics, and it features polished Japanese zippers and a practical, internal pocket. You will love its simple, yet stylish and elegant design!
Issara also sells a Portfolio model, which is wider and can fit a 15” laptop as well as documents and many other items. It has two internal pouches, a pen holder and an external zippered pocket where you could easily fit an iPad Mini.
Every Issara laptop sleeve is handcrafted from milled full-grain leather, and it has a grey cotton twill lining that is AZO-free. The brand only uses the highest grade leather, and it is tanned using vegetable tannins and chrome salts.
The hides are sourced from a family-owned tannery in New Zealand, which is BSCI-certified and compliant with ISO 14001. Issara’s leather is free of AZO and disperse dyes, and the zippers are nickel-free.
The brand’s products are all made in India or Indonesia by skilled craftsmen who use ancestral techniques passed down from generation to generation.
Shop IssaraAbout the Author
Eva Astoul is a French freelance writer, specializing in content related to sustainability, simple living, and a growth-focused healthy lifestyle. She runs her own blog, Green With Less, to inspire people to live a more minimalist and sustainable life.
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