Plastic trash is a huge problem for our oceans, but one company is doing something about it by turning that garbage into something great. Groundtruth makes cool travel gear from 100% recycled plastic and captured CO2 emissions. Plus, it comes with a 10-year warranty. This isn’t just talk. It’s a real shift in how we make things, proving that we can travel in a way that’s better for the environment.
The company was started by three sisters. They make bags from recycled plastic bottles, but they want to do more than just turn bottles into bags. Groundtruth shows that you can be kind to the planet and still have stylish, strong, top-quality stuff.
The Ocean Problem That Needed a Fix
Before we talk about how Groundtruth is changing things, let’s look at the problem they’re trying to solve. Experts think over 250 million tons of plastic could end up in the ocean by 2025. That trash causes about US $13 billion in damage each year.
How it Hurts the Environment:
- Millions of tons of plastic go into the ocean every year.
- Sea animals get sick or die from eating or getting stuck in plastic.
- Tiny plastic bits get into the food we eat.
- Cleaning up the coasts costs a lot of money.
- Fishing and tourism lose money.
What People Usually Do:
Most companies try to clean up plastic or use less plastic. That’s good, but it’s not enough. We also need to figure out what to do with all the plastic that’s already out there.
Groundtruth’s New Idea
Groundtruth has a different plan. They create travel bags and things from plastic trash taken straight from the environment. Instead of just getting rid of the plastic, they turn it into products that people want to buy and use.
The Materials They Use
The RIKR 24L Ultimate backpack is made entirely from recycled stuff, including plastic from the ocean. Everything made ethically, with a coating that doesn’t have bad chemicals, and hardware made from recycled plastic and captured CO2.
What Makes Their Way Special:
- Grabbing Plastic Before It Reaches the Ocean: They stop plastic from getting into the ocean in the first place.
- Turning Old Bottles into Something New: They turn old plastic bottles into strong fabric.
- Recycling Fishing Nets: Their products are made from fully recycled materials (recycled fishing nets, nylon, and plastic bottles).
- Hardware Made From Captured Carbon Emissions: They use new hardware made from captured carbon emissions
Great Quality
Made from 100% recycled materials, these stylish backpacks are a choice for your daily plans. They’re super strong and come with a 10-year warranty. You get sustainability, style, and usefulness all in one.
The point isn’t just using recycled materials. It’s showing that they can be even better than regular materials.
Good points:
- Waterproof
- Hard to tear
- Stands up to the sun
- Light but strong
The RIKR Collection: Both Sustainable and Useful
RIKR 24L Ultimate Backpack
This backpack shows how recycled plastic can be really useful:
Made Sustainably:
- Made from 100% recycled ocean plastic
- Made in an ethical way
- Coatings without bad chemicals
- Hardware made from captured CO2
Useful Parts:
- 24-liter size for everyday use
- Place for a laptop with padding
- Weatherproof
- Modular system
RIKR 17L Technical Tote
This RIKR 17L backpack is made from weatherproof materials, working as a reliable rainproof tote bag. Going to work, meetings, or just out and about, this large zipped tote bag keeps your stuff dry and safe.
Works in Many Ways:
- Can be used as a backpack or tote
- Looks good for work
- Keeps electronics safe from the weather
- Made from sustainable materials
RIKR 10L Tote Pack
You can carry this waterproof tote pack as a backpack, crossbody, or handbag. It comes with a 10-year warranty. Free shipping in the UK, EU, and US. Free returns in the UK.
Many Ways to Use It:
- You can carry it in three types.
- Waterproof
- Good size for everyday stuff
- Covered by a 10-year warranty
Partnering with PADI to Save the Oceans
In 2025, Groundtruth said they’re working with PADI to help the oceans. They said, We’re giving dive pros gear that makes a real difference by combining design with PADI’s devotion to saving the oceans. The UNDA collection was availabe for pre-order starting February 26, 2025, on GROUNDTRUTH’s website.
What’s Great About the UNDA Collection
For sure, saving the planet is what the UNDA collection is all about. Each dry bag is made using 100% recycled materials, such post consumer Nylon, discarded fishing gear, post-consumer plastic bottles and our patent-pending hardware made from captured CO2.
What’s Special About UNDA:
- Made for people who dive
- Can be used under the water
- Made from plastic and fishing nets taken from the ocean
- Hardware uses new technology to capture CO2
A Circle of Good:
This partnership makes a system where:
- Divers take plastic out of the ocean.
- Groundtruth turns that plastic into dive gear.
- Divers use the equipment to take out more plastic.
- On and on, making a good thing happen for the environment.
How to Get It
The UNDA range were available for pre-order through www.groundtruth.global from the 3rd of February 2025 with PADI members being given the first opportunity to buy via their channels.
The Manufacturing Revolution
Doing Things the Right Way
Groundtruth cares about being sustainable in more than just the materials they use:
Ways of Ethical Principles:
- Treating workers fairly
- Making things locally to cut down on pollution
- Using as little electricity as possible
- Making as little trash as possible
Making Sure It’s Good Quality:
- Testing everything to make sure it’s strong and works well
- Checking the quality more than other companies do
- Seeing how well things hold up over time
- Listening to what customers say
New Ideas for Recycled Materials
New Ways of Processing:
- Cleaning and purifying plastic many times
- Making the fibers stronger
- Keeping the colors bright without using bad chemicals
- Making the texture feel good
Making Things Better:
Recycling can actually make materials better:
- Making them harder to tear
- Making them more resistant to the weather
- Making them more resistant to the sun
- Making them feel better
The 10-Year Warranty
These bags are great for everyday use and come with a 10-year warranty, showing how serious we are about sustainability.
What the Warranty Covers:
- Problems with the materials or how it was made
- Hardware breaking when used normally
- Zippers not working
- The bag falling apart
Why 10 Years Is a Big Deal:
- Shows that we believe in the quality of recycled materials
- Encourages people to use the bag for a long time
- Helps the environment
- Good for customers
How It Saves the Planet:
A 10-year warranty means:
- One bag can replace 5-10 cheaper bags.
- Less electricity is used to make bags over time.
- Less pollution from shipping each year.
- Less trash compared to bags that don’t last.
How It Helps the Environment: The Important Numbers
Less Plastic Trash
How It Helps with Each Product:
Each Groundtruth bag uses:
- Recycled material from 20-30 plastic bottles
- A good amount of plastic from the ocean
- Recycled fishing net material
- Captured CO2 in the hardware
How It Helps Overall:
As the brand grows:
- Thousands of plastic bottles kept out of landfills each month
- Tons of plastic intercepted before it reaches the ocean each year
- Less need for new plastic
- CO2 captured during hardware production
Less Carbon Footprint
Good Things About Making the Bags:
- 60-70% less CO2 emitted compared to making new plastic
- Getting materials locally reduces pollution from shipping
- Using as little electricity as possible
- Using green energy in the factories
Looking at the Whole Picture:
- Less pollution from making the bags
- Bags last a long time
- Can be recycled at the end of their life
- Overall, it’s neutral or even good for the carbon footprint.
The Design: Sustainable and Stylish
Looks Great
Groundtruth shows that sustainable materials can look really good:
Design Ideas:
- Simple, clean lines that look good over time
- Colors inspired by nature
- Textures that show off the materials
- Everything is beautiful and useful
Good User Experience:
- Easy to keep things organized
- Comfortable to carry, no matter how much you have
- Protection from the weather without being bulky
- Looks good in any situation
New Ideas
GROUNDTRUTH designs have modular systems, easy spots to get to everything, and shells that keep water out making it easy to carry things safely.
Good Things About Modular Systems:
- You can organize things how you want.
- Works for different uses
- You can add to it over time.
- You don’t need as many bags.
A Global Movement
Influencing the Industry
Groundtruth is changing how the travel gear industry works:
How the Market Is Reacting:
- Other companies are starting to use recycled materials.
- The industry is starting to care more about sustainability.
- Customers want things that are eco-friendly.
- People want to know where materials come from.
Inspiring Others:
- New recycling technologies are being developed.
- Ocean cleanup efforts are getting more help.
- People are starting to use resources over and over again.
- Research into sustainable materials is speeding up.
Teaching Customers
Spreading the Word:
Groundtruth teaches customers about:
- How big the plastic pollution problem is
- How waste can be turned into something good
- How good recycled materials can be
- Why it’s important to choose sustainable things
Changing Habits:
- Encouraging people to buy fewer but better things
- Showing people how to take care of their products
- Supporting ocean cleanup efforts
- Choosing brands that are good for the environment
The Technology
Better Recycling
Cleaning Multiple Times:
- Sorting and cleaning the plastic first.
- Using chemicals to get rid of anything bad.
- Processing the plastic to get the properties we want.
- Testing to make sure it works well.
New Ideas in Processing:
- Ways to make the material stronger
- Keeping the colors bright without bad stuff
- Making the texture feel good
- Making it waterproof during manufacturing
Quality Control
Testing:
- Testing to make sure it lasts longer than other products
- Checking to make sure it keeps out the weather
- Checking how much weight it can hold
- Seeing how it wears over time
Numbers:
- Measuring how hard it is to tear
- Checking how well it keeps out water
- Seeing how long it lasts in the sun
- Testing the zippers
Economic Benefits
Value
Looking at the Cost:
- Costs more at first, but lasts 10 years
- You don’t have to replace it as often.
- The warranty saves you money.
- It’s still worth something if you want to sell it later.
How It Helps the Economy:
- Creates jobs in new manufacturing
- Reduces waste costs
- Turns waste into something valuable
- Creates businesses that are nice to the planet
Standing Out
Premium and Sustainable:
- Just as good as other top brands
- Being sustainable makes it even better
- Worth the extra money
- Appeals to people who care about the planet
How to Take Care of it
Tips
Washing:
- Wash with gentle soap and water regularly.
- Let it air dry.
- Don’t use strong chemicals.
Taking Care:
- Take care of the zippers.
- Look at the hardware.
- Don’t put too much weight in it.
- Check for problems.
Help
Warranty:
- Covered for repairs
- Fast repairs
- Just as good as new
- Great customer service
Community:
- Forums for advice
- Instructions
- Replacement parts
- Upgrade programs
What’s Next
New Technologies
Better Materials:
- Recycled materials that are even better
- Additives from plants
- Materials that adapt
- Using other sustainable materials
Better Processes:
- Using less electricity
- Checking quality automatically
- Using less water
- Making no trash at all
Trends
What’s Happening:
- Mandatory recycled content
- People want to know where things come from.
- Laws supporting sustainable practices
- Investing in recycling
Groundtruth’s job:
- Keep coming up with ideas.
- Make more products.
- Work with others to make a difference.
- Teach and lead.
How to Choose
Selecting a bag
Figuring Out What You Need:
- What you use it for every day
- How often you travel
- Work or casual
- Weather
Size:
- RIKR 24L for everyday
- RIKR 17L for work
- RIKR 10L for quick trips
- UNDA for water
Things to Think About
Over Time:
- How much it costs per year for 10 years
- How often you replace cheaper bags
- How it helps the environment
- How good it feels to use it
When to Buy:
- Pre-order for new things
- Which model for the season
- Start the warranty at the right time.
- Plan for a quality purchase.
The good Effect
Right Away
- Less plastic
- Less need for new plastic
- Support for cleaning the ocean
- Less carbon
Over Time
- The market changes.
- Better technology
- A supply chain for good materials
- People buy better stuff.
Community benefits
Near You:
- Supports good factories
- Creates jobs
- Reduces waste
- Builds good businesses
Everywhere:
- Shows good products can sell
- Helps laws supporting recycling
- Inspires other brands
- Helps the circle economy
More Than Just Buyers
Getting Involved
Building a Group:
- Sharing success stories
- Tips for taking care of products
- Sustainable living
- Travel photography
Teaching:
- Plastic pollution
- Recycling
- Sustainable travel
- Helping the environment
Talking to the Brand
Communication:
- Great service
- Ideas for products
- Testing new products
- Giving ideas
Being Open:
- Showing the factories
- Showing the environmental impact
- Being clear about the supply chain
- Always improving
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It’s a look into a future where trash becomes resource, where caring about the planet drives innovation, and where customers can buy things that match their values without sacrificing quality.
In a world with big environmental problems, Groundtruth shows that businesses can help. By turning plastic into travel gear, they’re not just cleaning up, they’re showing what’s possible when sustainability and innovation team up.
Every Groundtruth product means plastic that didn’t go into the ocean, CO2 that was captured, and recycled materials that are better than new ones. When you choose Groundtruth, you’re buying a bag and investing in a future where trash becomes treasure, and your travel gear tells a story of protecting the earth.
The idea of using recycled plastic in travel gear isn’t just a fad. It’s a big change in how we think about making things, buying things, and how we treat the environment. Groundtruth is going in this direction, one recycled bottle at a time.
Ready to use recycled plastic? Check out Groundtruth’s stuff and help solve plastic pollution.
Shop: Groundtruth Backpack Collection
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