We just invested in a new laptop, a MacBook Pro. We’re shopping for a protective sleeve, so we can carry it around safely. Want to go as sustainable as we can with the purchase, live up to our aspirations if we can. We’ve done a bit of research, and have found the following links to share. Thanks to TUAW for getting us started.
- AppleSac: "We try to use sustainable fabrics that look great. We also donate 1% of our sales to environmental causes." They’re made of hemp or cotton. But is it organic? Where was it raised? The design is cute, with a little pocket for your power supply. We can see ourselves biting into the Red Delicious.
- redmallo: A layer of wool felt that folds around your laptop. Gorgeous! Expensive! 99 euros! We love it. They come in luscious colors.The advantage ecologically: no plastic. Wool is certainly renewable (no, we’re not vegan). But how are the sheep treated?
- Freitag: "made from original recycled materials – used truck tarps, used car seat belts, used air bags and used bicycle inner tubes." Another European company, Swiss. The laptop sleeve is made of old truck tarp. It’s cute! It’s $92.65! We really want it. In gold. Wait, is the color eco-friendly?! And does it fit a Pro?
- Antenna: "Laptop sleeve in our stylish perforated leather with eco-friendly coating." But it’s actually faux leather, we think (which we prefer!), from reading copy elsewhere on the page. The design is ho hum, simple. Cost around $43. They make a point of manufacturing in a sweat-shop free environment.
We don’t have any answers yet. We have to consider our budget, too. (Money doesn’t grow on trees–wait, it does. . . ) We may have to fall back on this choice. We like the design a lot–gold fish scales! We like the price! ($32 from the manufacturer, $24 from a reseller.) But we’re talking some major plastic use. They brag that it’s got a PVC stamp on the case. Can you say environmental no-no? Argh. We’ve written to the manufacturer for more info about the materials.
If you have any advice, we’d welcome it.
