When you think of ways to do your part for Mother Earth, you probably envision planting a tree or picking up trash. But you don’t have to get your hands dirty to help the environment; sometimes, it’s as simple as making more mindful everyday purchases! The items we choose to buy—including sustainable luggage and travel gear— have an impact on the world around us. One great example of a company aiming to make the planet a better place? Horizn Studios and its Re Series collection.
Built to Last
Horizn Studios has a long history of sustainable practices. Founders Jan Roosen and Stefan Holwe set out to design products that stand the test of time (in our wardrobes, not in our landfills!) “We started out with the aim to provide next-generation travelers with a travel wardrobe that lasts,” says Roosen. “By being 100 percent committed to the principles of circularity, we inherently set out on the path to sustainable design.”
While nearly all of the brand’s line is 99 percent waste-free (its virgin polycarbonate offcuts are collected and recycled), the Re Series line takes things one step further.
Unlike most hard-side bags, which are typically made from polycarbonate, polypropylene, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), or aluminum, per Travel + Leisure, the Re Series collection was designed in collaboration with Japanese scientists using 97 percent recycled high-end polycarbonate. According to the company, it’s actually the highest percentage of recycled premium polycarbonate ever produced in luggage.
“What’s the big deal?” you may ask. Polycarbonate makes up the majority of plastic consumption waste, with an annual production of about 6 million tons, as reported by Chemical Engineering Journal, making the reduction of plastic waste a top environmental concern. And that’s not all. In addition to reducing plastic waste, Horizn says its Re Series material reduces C02 emissions created during production by 72 percent.
The interior of the bag is equally impressive: The mesh partitions, zippers, and water-resistant linings, which are made from post-consumer waste, are 100 percent recycled. Sustainability doesn’t end at the product level, either…Your sustainable luggage arrives in green cotton dust bags, while backpacks and accessories come in plant-based, biodegradable polylactic acid ones. Even the cardboard boxes the items are shipped in are recyclable.
Style Meets Sustainability
Make no mistake: Horizn doesn’t sacrifice quality for its commitment to sustainability. This luggage is covered by a lifetime warranty, so you can be sure that each and every little detail, from the ultra-durable exteriors to the super-strong telescopic handles, is built to last. (And if it doesn’t, the company is knee-deep in a Circle One repair program that will help keep customers happy while living up to its sustainability standards.)
The Re Series line also has all of the same thoughtful touches of the company’s other luggage options, such as TSA-approved locks and 360-degree spinner wheels that will hold up during airport sprints. The interiors are plenty spacious (you can choose from a 21.5-inch cabin bag or a 25-inch check-in) and they’re organized enough to keep your outfits from wrinkling.
These bags also look the part. With sleek matte all-black or dark olive finishes and light tan handles, detailing, and wheel accents, the exteriors definitely match their designer price tags. The contrasting detailing means they’ll be easy to spot at baggage claim, and the brand says they’ll wipe clean with just a soft cloth, warm water, and mild detergent. We love that there’s a 100-day risk-free trial on the Re Series line, so if you’re not totally convinced it’s worth every penny of its price tag, you can send it back.
Art & Activism
While the brand’s sustainability initiatives play a huge part in what sets Horizn apart from other luxury luggage companies, they aren’t the only way the company gives back.
As longtime lovers of the arts, Roosen and Holwe set up an art program for the brand, which exists to support up-and-coming artists around the globe. Its social program, meanwhile, was born in 2020 and dubbed Horizn Together, helps to provide educational access to displaced, disadvantaged youth through its digital education partner Kiron Campus.
In 2023, Horizn donated sales from its annual collaboration with clothing brand Andreas Murkudis and its Murkudis Market to Hawar Help, a Berlin-based initiative supporting the Iranian women’s movement, as well as other social justice programs.
Horizn is also a friend to animals. The company is the first luggage company in the world to sport a PETA-approved vegan logo, taking home its Vegan Travel Award for Best Luggage in 2020. Considering that Mike & Anne have both been vegan for ten years, the company’s commitment to anti-cruelty materials and practices is an initiative that means a lot to both of us.
Sustainable Luggage, The Way to Go!
As travelers, the product choices we make in this world matter now more than ever. And while the options are seemingly endless when it comes to attractive luggage, that number quickly dwindles when it comes to those that go beyond aesthetics to social responsibility. It shrinks even further when you add in a lifetime warranty to your feel-good purpose.
Look deeper into who’s behind your travel gear and make a statement with the items you buy, be it sustainable luggage, like the Horizn Re Series, accessories (the brand also makes a sustainable, vegan set of packing cubes), or safety gear. It’s the least we can do as travelers for the planet we love exploring. Check them out!
