Backpacks from plastic waste, anyone?
A New York-based startup that makes solar-powered, anti-theft backpacks has unveiled its latest product line which is made from plastic waste retrieved from the oceans of Maldives as well as Philippines.
Solgaard Design in a statement described its product dubbed Daypack as the world’s first laptop backpack made with recycled plastics found in ocean.
Solgaard is a Norwegian word that means “sunfarm” in English.
Packaged as a mobile office, the backpack allows the user to charge electronic devices through a power bank that stores electricity by means a solar photovoltaic panel incorporated at the front of the bag.
The company said each backpack preserves ocean life and keeps the planet clean by removing five pounds or about 2.25 kilos of ocean trash.
Company founder Adrian Solgaard, who loves to travel, said his goal was to discover the world while making solutions ensuring it is taken care of for the long term.
“Being an explorer at heart means you care about discovering the planet, therefore you must care about its longevity,” Solgaard said.
According to Solgaard Design, raw materials for the backpack are being collected from the Maldives, with additional supply to come from the Philippines.
Citing a report from Ocean Conservancy, the company said the Philippines ranked third globally in terms of being the source of plastic waste that end up in the ocean.
According to Ocean Conservancy, 8 million metric tons of plastic waste enter the ocean yearly, with 150 metric tons already polluting marine ecosystems.
Also, Solgaard Design is launching the Daypack for crowdfunding at Kickstarter, with hopes of raising $25,000— the threshold to move forward to the manufacturing phase.
The company said its new product line was developed with the goal of creating eco-friendly products that raise awareness about the harmful environmental effects of plastic waste and integrate biodegradable, recyclable materials into their design.
