Our civilization now relies heavily on all sorts of computers, but these products are sadly also killing of our planet in the process. From their production to their daily use to their disposal, desktops and laptops contribute to the sad state of our planet. Even worse, we tend to buy accessories for these devices that themselves create more problems for our environment. Fortunately, designers and brands have started to become more conscious of how even small things like accessory can pile up to become a sustainability disaster and are taking steps to minimize their negative impact on the environment. This laptop case, for example, is made from leftover fabric to become something fashionable that also shows a bit of university spirit, too.
Designer: Shelly Xu Design (SXD) x Harvard Innovation Labs
It’s easy to take for granted how clothes can be harmful to the environment because they seem biodegradable enough. While some textile and dyes aren’t exactly sustainable, those aren’t the only environmental problems they cause. The fashion industry alone is responsible for million tons of textile waste every year for leftover scraps and wasted fabric. This waste that would have otherwise piled up on landfills are the very source materials that Shelly Xu Design (SXD) uses to create masterpieces that make a statement in more ways than one.
It’s that kind of boldness that SXD is bringing to an industry outside fashion, with a laptop case that similarly uses those wasted fabric to produce something that will keep your laptop safe and snug while you go about your business in school or in the office. The main bag is made from white neoprene taken from scuba diving sets while the red handle and pockets are source from leftover polo shirt materials. The entire bag is made waterproof using ecorepel which biomimics how waterfowl feathers are able to repel water, hence the name.
This zero-waste “ILab Bag” is simple yet fashionable while also being functional. The bag is reversible, so you can choose between a plain white appearance or accented red. The red cloth parts also function as pockets and handles, going beyond mere embellishments. And when the laptop bag is fully unfolded, that side forms a red “H” on white, a nod to Harvard’s name and colors.
The SXD zero-waste laptop case might not be extraordinary in terms of form and function, but that isn’t its primary objective anyway. Instead, it tries to serve as an inspiration and model for how recycled waste materials can be transformed into high-quality, beautiful products. If more companies start producing swag these way, it could eventually lead to a transformation of an industry that often doesn’t give a second thought to its long-term effects on the only planet that we have.
