FLUF
Fluf’s Organic Cotton Bags: Better for Wearers and the World
Fluf makes organic cotton bags by hand—at least 12 pairs of them, to be exact!
FLUF STORY
Fluf got their start by smelling a problem: lunch bags that stank. Unable to wash them, these lunch bags started to take on all of the odors of their packed-lunch contents. Not only that but, made with toxic chemicals, they made our planet turn up its nose, too. Do harsh chemicals deserve a place at the table with a child’s packed lunch? The team at Fluf didn’t think so.
But it wasn’t always lunch bags for Fluf co-founders (and friends) Nathalie Butterfield and Terra Kushner. Their journey started in 2005, but pillows were their focus. They searched high and low for materials and designs for the best pillows. They ended up using organic fabrics, biodegradable corn fill, and local designs printed in Toronto.
In 2009, Natalie and Terra ran into a problem: too much fabric. To make use of their extra materials, they started making handbags and lunch bags. The Fluf bag was born.
Since 2010, they have been committed to “making the best, safest products with the most sustainable materials.” In 2016, the values-driven, 100% women owned and operated company switched to focus exclusively on reusable lunch bags “without the baggage.”
How Do They Make An Impact?
When you join the Fluf family, you’re not just getting an adorably-designed zipper lunch bag, snack bag, B pack (backpack), or tote—you’re getting something that keeps humans and the earth healthy and safe.
Fluf only uses organic, renewable, and recycled materials. These include 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton, which is renewable and biodegradable. The water-resistant lining in their bags is made with GRS-certified rPET and meets the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® (read: free of harmful chemicals). Using recycled polyester (rPET), keeps plastic out of oceans and the landfill, and requires 59% less energy!
Even their fabric dyes and inks are GOTS-certified and strictly regulated to be non-toxic. This means that every product is totally free of toxins like BPA, PVC, PFCs, PFAS, AZO, heavy metals, phthalates, formaldehyde, fire retardants, and more. Third-party organizations like the TÜV, BV, and SGS verify that even the highest safety standards in Canada, the US, and the EU are surpassed.
As another priority for Fluf, they partner with ethical manufacturers in India. The small, family-run facility is GOTS-certified and where the bags are weaved, dyed, printed, and stitched—by no fewer than 12 pairs of hands! All workers are supported with fair working hours, safe working conditions, and a living wage.
In 2021, Fluf became a totally virgin plastic-free company. They ensured that new plastic was left out of every step of the supply chain. In addition to using 100% rPET (made out of recycled water bottles) in their products, their packaging and shipping materials are made with 100% compostable or recycled/recyclable bags and mailers.
To cut down on waste, they recycle, shred, and repurpose all cutting scraps. They’re transformed to new fabric, which helps Fluf reduce their carbon footprint. Helping even more, Fluf became Climate Neutral certified in 2022!
With a commitment to the planet and the people who inhabit it, Fluf is a proud supporter of a range of charitable organizations. Providing support to improve the lives of those who need it most, Fluf has a ‘Girl Power’ lunch bag to specifically support Because I am a Girl and a ‘Wolf/Eagle’ bag which supports the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Center with 100% of proceeds. They also regularly work with Canadian Feed the Children, Toronto’s Foundation for Student Success, and Kids up Front.
