Sustainability at Pelli

We believe responsibility is not a label or a destination. It’s an ongoing process of making better decisions, questioning trade-offs, and being honest about the realities of making physical products.

This page explains how we think about materials, manufacturing, longevity, and impact, and just as importantly, what we don’t claim.

Should I choose a Pelli Bag? 

We don’t aim to be everything to everyone. This information is here to help you make an informed decision, rather than convince you that we’re the best choice for you.

We make thoughtful products designed to last, but not forever. Our focus is on durability in everyday use, repair where possible, and materials chosen to reduce reliance on conventional plastic and polyester where we can.

Better materials matter, but how long you use them matters more. The longer a bag stays in use, the lower its overall footprint tends to be, because it replaces more disposable alternatives over time.

Because we use natural fibres in many of our products, how you use and care for your bag will affect its lifetime. Natural fabrics can wear, soften, and change with use, and that’s part of their character.

Synthetic bags made from polyester can persist in the environment for a very long time. Natural fibres like jute and cotton can break down over time under the right conditions, although finishes, linings, and construction affect how and where that happens. That is the trade-off we accept, choosing materials and designs intended for long use first, and a more natural end-of-life pathway where possible.

If you want a bag made to look new forever, we may not be the right fit. If you want a bag designed to be used often, repaired when needed, and thoughtfully made with honest trade-offs, Pelli may be right for you.

Our approach

We don’t believe sustainability can be reduced to a single material, slogan, or certification. Instead, our approach is grounded in three principles:

Designed for your life, and for their full lifecycle.

We design Pelli bags with their full life in mind, from everyday use through to end of use. Natural materials are chosen to wear, soften, and eventually break down, rather than remain unchanged forever.

Materials that wear in, then wear out.

We prioritise natural materials that can return to nature under the right conditions. We avoid RPET and recycled polyester where possible because they are still plastic-based fibres and can contribute to microplastic shedding. No material is impact-free, so our choices balance performance, use, and end-of-life outcomes.

Reducing plastic, not relocating it.

We focus on not adding to the plastic problem. Alongside limiting synthetic fibres, we support ocean clean-up initiatives to help remove existing plastic waste.

We design bags intended to be used for years, not seasons. A product that replaces multiple lower-quality alternatives over time can have a lower overall impact than one replaced frequently, even if it isn’t perfect at end of life.

Design and longevity

Design is not separate from responsibility, it’s central to it.

Not every customer chooses a product based on environmental information alone. Many decisions are made based on how something looks, feels, and fits into everyday life. We lead with design and aesthetic appeal so that choosing a considered alternative becomes easy and desirable.

Our hope is that every person who chooses a Pelli bag instead of a conventional polyester bag contributes, in a small but meaningful way, to reducing waste left behind.

Materials, with trade-offs

There is no impact-free material. Every option involves environmental, social, and practical considerations. We select materials based on durability, performance, availability, and realistic end-of-life outcomes, rather than trends or labels.

Jute

Jute is a natural plant fibre grown primarily in parts of Asia. It is strong, fast-growing, and biodegradable under natural conditions. Jute typically requires fewer agricultural inputs than many other crops, though processing and transport still contribute to its overall footprint.

We use jute for its strength, texture, and ability to replace plastic-based alternatives.

Jute felt

Jute felt is created by mechanically bonding jute fibres into a dense, structured material. We developed this as an alternative to plastic-based foam used in many insulated products.

It allows us to add structure and insulation while avoiding highly processed synthetic foams. Energy is required to bond fibres, and felted materials are not easily recyclable, but jute felt will break down over time under the right conditions.

Cotton canvas

Cotton is a natural fibre with a well-established global supply chain. Cotton canvas, when densely woven, is durable, repairable, and designed to age well with use.

Cotton cultivation and processing have known environmental impacts, including water use and agricultural inputs. Untreated cotton can biodegrade, but dyes, finishes, and coatings affect how and where this occurs.

We use cotton canvas where strength and longevity are essential.

Waxed canvas

Waxed canvas begins with a cotton canvas base and adds a wax finish to improve water resistance and durability. This treatment significantly extends the usable life of the bag.

Waxed canvas is chosen deliberately for longevity, not recyclability. The wax coating slows breakdown and makes recycling impractical with current systems. We accept this trade-off in favour of extended use and reduced replacement.

You can rewax your bag every 6-12 months depending on wear. 

Recycled polyester (RPET)

RPET is made from post-consumer plastic waste, such as PET bottles. It reduces reliance on virgin fossil fuels and is used selectively where durability and performance are required.

RPET remains a synthetic plastic. It does not biodegrade and can shed microplastics over time. We do not use recycled polyester as a default solution, and we don’t believe recycled content alone makes a product sustainable.

Where our Pelli Bags made? 

Pelli bags are designed in Australia and manufactured with long-term production partners overseas, primarily in parts of Asia, including China, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

Many of the materials we use are grown or processed in these regions and are not widely available in Australia in fabric-ready form. Manufacturing closer to material origins allows us to reduce unnecessary transportation, double handling, and additional processing steps.

Importing untreated natural fibres into Australia can require additional treatment or spraying on entry. Producing the finished product closer to where materials are sourced helps avoid this where possible.

We work with established manufacturing partners who meet our standards for quality, ethical production, and consistency. We prioritise long-term relationships and conduct factory visits where possible.

Circularity, explained. 

“Circularity” can mean different things, so we believe it’s important to be clear.

Biological circularity, returning to the earth

Some materials can safely break down and return to natural systems over time. Natural fibres such as jute and cotton perform well here, particularly when untreated.

Technical circularity, returning to industry

Some materials are designed to be recycled into new products. In reality, most textiles, including recycled plastics, are difficult to recycle again once they’ve been turned into a finished bag.

We consider both forms of circularity alongside durability and real-world use, rather than assuming one definition fits all.

Care, repair, and continued use

We believe the most meaningful impact comes from extending the life of a product before disposal.

Caring for your bag extends its life and reduces its overall footprint. Spot cleaning, allowing materials to dry fully, avoiding overloading, and repairing small issues can significantly increase longevity.

We encourage repair and repurposing wherever possible, before considering disposal.

Find out how to care for your Pelli Bag here

End of use. 

When the time comes, please be assured that Pelli Bags considers end-of-use from the start. 

Designed to go back to nature, so we start with natural materials where we can, and give confidence that your bag won't contribute to our plastic problem. 

• Jute and untreated cotton components can biodegrade or be composted under the right conditions, even at home, once non-fibre elements are removed.

• Waxed canvas prioritises long use, with re-waxing can have a long and useful life, but over time, the wax will wear down, and at that time is suited to composting. We recommend commercial composting for our waxed canvas products. 

• TPU linings may be recyclable through specific soft-plastics programs, depending on local availability. TPU formulations are designed to biodegrade under controlled conditions and are not suitable for home compost. Where no recycling option exists, general waste is the appropriate last resort.  The plastic will biodegrade over time. 

What we don’t claim. 

We believe clarity builds trust. We don’t claim that our products are:

• perfect
• impact-free
• fully recyclable
• perfectly circular
• sustainable by default

We don’t believe responsibility can be reduced to a single material, certification, or slogan, our process is one of continual improvement, ongoing research and meaningful changes. 

Ongoing work

We’re a small business and research-driven by nature. Our materials, manufacturing processes, and decisions continue to evolve as we learn more and test better options.

We will do our best to communicate the process, but if you have a question or concern, please ask.