When I first started making denim bags in 2017, I wasn’t setting out to build a product line. I just wanted a bag I could count on. One that didn’t fall apart after a few trips to the grocery store. One that could handle heavy hauls and survive the wash. One that wouldn’t end up in the landfill after a short lifespan
I was tired of the flimsy reusable grocery bags I saw everywhere. The ones made of thin polypropylene or weird plasticky blends that started to shred or lose their shape after just a few uses. I needed something sturdier. More thoughtful. More beautiful. And above all more sustainable.
So I carefully thought of all the fabric options I could use to make a sturdy tote bag and thought that denim from old jeans would be perfect. Durable, thick, and often tossed out long before their true end of life. Denim has this incredible strength and character. It ages beautifully. It carries stories in its creases and frays. And it made perfect sense as the foundation for a bag meant to last.
That’s where the Earth Warrior upcycled denim bag was born.
Each bag starts with 2 pairs of discarded jeans, salvaged from closets directly from members of our community. I carefully deconstruct them, saving every inch of usable material. From there, I sew together a new story; a functional, beautiful bag designed for real life.
I knew from the start that these weren’t just grocery bags. I designed them to be deeply versatile. They’re perfect for farmers market mornings, but they’re also great on a library trip, a beach outing, a picnic in the park, or even just bringing your laptop, lunch, and a sweater to work. They’re strong enough for big thrift store hauls and spontaneous roadside fruit stand stops. And they’re washable, because life is messy and our bags should be able to handle that.
The most important design feature is the reinforced base. Each bag has a 13-inch long by 6-inch wide bottom, double layered with denim. I thought about where bags wear out most quickly, the bottomof the bags. especially when they’re holding heavy loads and being placed on different textured surfaces. By doubling the material there, the bags last significantly longer. And if the outer layer eventually starts to thin or tear, there’s a second layer already built in, offering extended life without needing immediate repair.
I also wanted to create a bag with some personal touches to each bag. Appliqué designs made from smaller scraps of denim. These aren’t just decorative. They tell a story. Some bags feature views of the Earth, like a globe. Others have whales, turtles, or trees. Each piece reminds us of what we’re protecting when we choose to reuse, reduce, and rethink our consumption.
These denim bags have become a signature Earth Warrior product not just because they’re strong and stylish, but because they embody our mission: turning waste into something valuable and long-lasting.
The Environmental Impact of Upcycling Denim
Upcycling jeans into bags isn’t just a creative solution, it’s an environmental one. The fashion industry is one of the most resource-intensive and wasteful industries on the planet, and denim is a major contributor.
Producing a single pair of new jeans can require over 7,500 litres of water. That’s the equivalent of about 10 years’ worth of drinking water for one person. Add to that the pesticide-heavy cotton farming, dyeing, finishing, and shipping, and you’re looking at a massive environmental footprint for a garment that often ends up in a landfill after just a few years of use.
By reclaiming and reusing denim that already exists, we reduce demand for virgin textile production. We keep usable materials out of the landfill and extend the life cycle of something that would otherwise be discarded. This not only saves water and energy, but also reduces carbon emissions and toxic runoff associated with new clothing production.
Each Earth Warrior denim bag diverts at least two pair of jeans from the waste stream. And considering how many pairs of jeans get thrown out every year in Canada alone, the cumulative impact matters. We’re not just talking about a few bags. We’re talking about a shift in how we see value, waste, and responsibility.
Reusable vs. Flimsy: Waste Reduction in Action
Let’s talk about the alternatives for a moment. The typical reusable grocery bags sold in stores are often made from non-woven polypropylene (a type of plastic). They might seem like a better option than single-use plastic bags, but they’re not truly sustainable. Most can’t be recycled curbside. They’re prone to tearing at the seams. And because they aren’t designed to be washed easily, they end up being tossed, often after just a few months.
Paper bags have their own issues. While they’re compostable, they require trees to be cut down, and the process of making paper bags uses a lot of water and energy. They’re also not durable, especially in wet or snowy weather, and they don’t last more than a trip or two.
And then there are plastic bags. While many provinces and cities have phased them out, they’re still in circulation. Thin, single-use, and a major source of pollution in our oceans, waterways, and communities.
In contrast, an Earth Warrior denim bag is designed to last for years. It can replace hundreds, even thousands, of disposable bags over its lifetime. It doesn’t fray at the seams. It won’t disintegrate in the wash. It’s meant to be used, reused, washed, and used again.
It becomes part of your lifestyle. Part of your identity. A visible, tangible commitment to sustainability.
Why It Matters
To me, making these bags isn’t just about creating a better alternative to disposable bags. It’s about changing how we think about waste. It’s about seeing possibility in what others throw away. It’s about crafting beauty, function, and longevity from something overlooked.
It’s also deeply personal. Every bag I make is stitched with care. It holds intention. It holds the stories of the people who wore those jeans, the places they walked, the memories they made. And it holds space for new stories like grocery trips, picnics, vacations, and everyday adventures.
When you carry an Earth Warrior denim bag, you’re not just carrying your groceries, you’re carrying a movement. One that says we can do better. One that believes in resilience, resourcefulness, and responsibility. One that honours the Earth with every stitch.
I’ve been making these bags since 2017, and I still feel the same spark every time I finish one. That spark comes from knowing that small, thoughtful choices, like choosing a bag made from upcycled jeans, can ripple outward. That we don’t need perfection to make a difference. We just need to start.
Thank you for being part of this story. For carrying your values. For supporting a circular future. And for believing, like I do, that we can cerate a world without waste.
Ready to Carry the Change?
If this story resonated with you, it might be time to carry one of your own. Our Earth Warrior upcycled denim bags are more than just totes, they’re stitched with intention, purpose, and a whole lot of love. Each bag helps divert denim from the landfill and supports a circular future, one haul at a time.
Browse the collection and find the one that speaks to you. Let your next bag tell a story worth carrying.
If you enjoyed this post, we invite you to explore more of our blogs where we dive deeper into practical tips, inspiring stories, and circular solutions that help you live more sustainably. Whether you're just starting your journey or looking to level up your eco habits, there's something for everyone. Keep reading below to discover more ways to make a positive impact.
Stay Connected: Join the Earth Warrior Community
Want to feel good about the little things you do for the planet? Join the Earth Warrior newsletter and get easy, real-world tips to live more sustainably, plus stories that’ll inspire you, sneak peeks at new upcycled products, and ways to be part of a community that’s all about making change happen.
Sign up and let’s take this journey together, one small step, one big impact.