What To Do With Old Backpacks In The UK

Get sustainability in the bag, with these tips on what to do with your old backpack to help keep it out of landfill.

Recycling some items can be quite straightforward. And then there are the tricky items, where it doesn’t feel like there is an obvious way to dispose of it in the best possible way. Rucksacks and backpacks definitely fall into that latter category. Just what do you do with them?

Whether you’ve got an old backpack that’s seen one too many adventures, a kid’s backpack that’s spent a few years being hurled around a school playground, or just have a bag that’s surplus to requirements, then it can be tricky to find ways to recycle them.

So, to help you out, I’ve put together a handy guide outlining all your options in the UK that avoid landfill.

What To Do With Old Backpacks In The UK

Use the quick links to jump to a specific section, or keep scrolling to read the full post:

• Repair It
• Donate It To A School Bank
• Donate It To A Charity Or Community Group
• Sell It
• Upcycle It
• Recycle It
• Repurpose It For Storage

Repair It

Before you do anything else, I always think it’s best to take a really good look at your backpack. Ask yourself if it is really beyond saving.

If it’s just a bit dirty and grubby-looking, many backpacks can be washed (I’ll share a post on how to do this soon!). And if a strap is coming loose, a zip is stuck, a seam is splitting, or it’s developed a hole, then a quick fix might be all it needs.

If you’re feeling up to the job yourself, then there are countless YouTube videos talking you through every conceivable repair. And for small holes, you can buy adhesive patches that you just stick on – zero crafting skills required! Decathlon, for example, sells repair patches in a variety of colours for just a few pounds.

If you feel the repair is too tricky for you to undertake, then don’t worry. Local tailors and cobblers might take on backpack repairs. Places like Timpsons might fix or repair buckles, for example. It’s always worth an ask.

If your local tailor or cobbler can’t help, then some outdoor shops offer in-house repair services. Some places in the UK that offer a repair service for any brand include:

• Scottish Mountain Gear
• Lancashire Sports Repairs
• Alpkit

While these programmes are generally aimed at outdoor gear, it’s always worth asking if they can help with a basic backpack too.

Meanwhile, for high-end backpacks, consider contacting the brand directly. Many offer repair services, sometimes even for free. Brands that offer a repair service in the UK include:

• Berghaus (Berghaus branded products are repaired for free, just cover the postage costs)
• Rohan
• Rab / Lowe Alpine
• Patagonia
• The North Face
• Ortlieb

Donate It To A School Bank

If your child has simply outgrown their old school bag, but it’s still in excellent condition, then try looking out for a School Bank near you.

These are often volunteer-led groups that help children in families experiencing financial hardship. They supply families with school uniforms and other clothing and equipment required for the school day.

School banks rely on donations from the public to be able to run. As such, most will gladly accept school bags and PE bags that are in a good, clean condition. Be brutally honest with yourself about the condition though before you drop it off. If you wouldn’t be happy with your child receiving the bag, then don’t donate it.

My local one is the School Bank West Lothian – which has 24 drop-off points throughout the county. Try searching for one local to your area to find a drop-off point close to you.

Donate It To A Charity Or Community Group

If your backpack is still in good condition, but is surplus to your requirements, then consider donating it to charities who work with people experiencing homelessness. Charities that collect backpacks for these purposes include:

• The Wellspring
• Emmaus

Outdoor retailer Rohan also takes donations of backpacks. These are then distributed to community groups and organisations that encourage outdoor activities, so that people who don’t have access to essential kit aren’t excluded from taking part. 

Another option is to check with local schools, sports clubs, or youth organisations. They may appreciate backpacks to distribute to children or to use as equipment bags. Some refugee centres and community hubs may also collect backpacks for new arrivals who may be in need of basic supplies.

Sell It

If your backpack is still in good condition, and you want some money back on it, then it’s always worthwhile considering selling it.

There are tons of places in the UK to sell second-hand clothes and bags online – including Vinted, Depop, and eBay. Vinted and eBay don’t charge any fees for sellers, so you end up with more money in your pocket. I’m having the most success with Vinted at the moment – eBay not so much.

If dealing with postage isn’t so appealing, then local selling platforms such as Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace can be good for finding nearby buyers. It’s free to list on these sites, and buyers can then come to your house to pay and collect the item, or you can arrange to meet up in a public spot.

Upcycle It

If your backpack is too worn to donate or beyond the point of repair, then all is not lost. You can try getting creative.

Old rucksacks can be upcycled into heaps of different items. You could cut out sections of fabric to make zipped pouches, or protective covers for a tablet or laptop. The straps could even be repurposed as sturdy hanging loops.

They’re just starters for ten. I would recommend trying Pinterest for heaps more ideas.

Repurpose It For Storage

You could also consider whether your old backpack could serve another purpose around the house. Some ideas include:

• Storing off-season clothing, blankets or camping gear in your loft or cupboard.
• Using it in your car boot, to organise emergency supplies such as a first aid kit, torch, a blanket, water bottles and snacks.
• If you live in a flood-prone area, you could create a ready-to-go emergency kit with essential supplies, just in case.
• Using it as a picnic bag – and storing all all your reusable plates, cutlery, and napkins in it.

Recycle It

If your backpack is too far gone for anything, recycling is your next best option. Many councils in the UK accept textiles for recycling, so check your local authority’s website for guidelines. If the rucksack is primarily made of fabric, you can drop it off at a textile recycling point.

For backpacks with lots of mixed materials – including metal zips, plastic clips, and foam padding – recycling can be trickier. Specialist recycling programmes, like TerraCycle, do accept more complex items, but you may need to pay quite a hefty fee.

Alternatively, some larger outdoor retailers offer free recycling services for old gear. Cotswold Outdoor, for example, offers this service. I’ll add any more brands here as I find them.

More Resources

If you need to replace your old backpack or bag then check out my big guides to eco-friendly backpacks and ethical bags. And if you are looking for more help recycling tricky items I’ve got heaps of useful posts for you:

• Here’s what to do with old glasses
• What to do with old underwear
• And here’s what to do with old towels