MADE FREE | Sustainable Bag Brands and Leather Accessories

What are sustainable bags?

A sustainable bag is made from sustainable materials, such as eco-friendly leather or recycled materials. These sustainable bag brands promote environmental awareness by reducing their carbon footprint and using renewable resources. They also help reduce waste by being long-lasting products that can be enjoyed for many years without needing to be replaced. Additionally, they often come with waterproofing or heat-sealing features to make them more durable and long-lasting than traditional bags.

Sustainable bags are reusable bags made from eco-friendly materials that can be enjoyed for years. They are a fashionable alternative to disposable plastic bags, which harm the environment. Sustainable bags are often made from recycled materials, such as plastic bottles or canvas, or sustainable leather.

What tote bags are eco-friendly?

MADE FREE offers a gorgeous variety of sustainable tote bags, zip wallets for men, travel bags, and leather goods for men made from organic cotton or vegetable-tanned leather. The sport tote bags offer helpful features such as suitcase handle sleeves, cleverly placed pockets, zippers, comfortable straps, and adjustable compartments. They are also durable and stylish, so you can enjoy them fashionably for years without sacrificing sustainability.

Can I get sustainable bags?

Yes, sustainable bags are available. These types of bags are made from materials that can be broken down and reused or recycled. Sustainable bags help to reduce the amount of waste produced each year and can be a great way to cut down on your carbon footprint.

Where can I get sustainable bags?

There are several ways to get sustainable bags. One way is to purchase them from Clear Givings Market / MADE FREE.

START OF THE BEST SUSTAINABLE HANDBAGS

 MADE FREE FOUNDER

 THE TRIP CHANGED HIS VIEW TOWARD ECO-FRIENDLY HANDBAGS

After Brad's return from travels in Africa and South Asia, he couldn’t shake the hunger to develop a business model to help the millions of people suffering from human trafficking, slavery, and extreme poverty. As he shared his vision with friends and met his wife, Katherine (who shared his passion and heart for helping the least of these), it became increasingly clear to move forward to engage the fortunate few in helping the marginalized many. 

Welcome to MADE FREE®, a U.S. social enterprise apparel accessories brand established to compete on the world stage in design and quality while serving as a vehicle for consumers to help create sustainable social reform.

  freedom for employees

 FREEDOM

The MADE FREE® model was designed to provide sustainable social reform - addressing the root cause of slavery (including human trafficking), poverty, and the need for sustainable, ethical jobs. Handouts of food, clothing, and water may help today but don’t necessarily change the circumstances for tomorrow. We need to address the core issues to win the war on poverty. For poverty to end, those who make fashion need to make a livable wage.

Every sustainable handbag purchase supports a day of freedom from human trafficking, slavery, and poverty through a self-sustaining job. Every bag sport is handcrafted with sustainable materials by small teams that meet World Fair Trade Organizations (WFTO) standards.

Today, over 700 million people live in poverty*, 50 million are enslaved, and 70% are females.** 

According to The World Bank* and The Global Slavery Index** 

MADE FREE'S MISSION AS A LUXURY HANDBAG BRAND

Their mission is to make one million people accessible through self-sustaining jobs. All purchases of men's leather goods and women's leather goods you make give hope and opportunity for a life made free.

LEARN THE FACTS ABOUT SLAVERY, POVERTY & THE FASHION INDUSTRY

 sustainable tote bags

 HOLISTIC SUSTAINABILITY

We have a holistic approach to sustainability. We are integrating ecological, social, and economic sustainability. A triple bottom line (TBL) guide to sustainability. 

Using sustainable materials is one thing, but if the maker isn’t cared for, sustainability can have a net negative impact. So we are doing all that we can to help end the injustice of slavery and extreme poverty through well-paying, ethical jobs while at the same time using eco-friendly, organic, and recycled materials where we can. For example, we use 100 percent organic cotton canvas and the finest eco-friendly, vegetable-tanned, biodegradable leather, a waste byproduct that would otherwise be discarded into a landfill.

In addition, GUNAS' lifetime guarantee supports a limited, curated personal collection of fewer quality items and a reduction of what we discard. First, reducing our fashion waste may be the most impactful thing we can do to improve our planet. Second, the oil, clothing, and textile industry is the largest polluter in the world. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 84% of unwanted clothes in the United States are in landfills or burned. Together, we can change lives while protecting our planet.

FAIRTRADE

All MADE FREE® products are handcrafted in small factory teams certified by the WFTO ( World Fair Trade Organization) or exceed WFTO standards.

LOW PROFIT

They are a low-profit social enterprise with a mission to provide life-changing jobs over profits. 

HANDCRAFTED

Every MADE FREE® item is meticulously handcrafted from the finest materials by our crafters in a clean, safe team-based environment. Crafters are trained to have the skills and tools necessary to construct the highest quality sustainable tote bags that last. There is excellent attention to detail from cutting, stitching, and embossing.

LIFETIME GUARANTEE

All purchases carry a lifetime guarantee to be free of defects in materials and craftsmanship—a lasting investment in world change and reduced waste.

MADE FREE®, MADE BY FREE WOMEN®, and FOR HUMAN JUSTICE® are all registered Trademarks of MADE FREE LLC. 

STANDARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

MADE FREE maintains the following standards and belongs to the following organizations supporting our mission.

STANDARDS

They are a low-profit social enterprise with a mission to provide life-changing jobs over profits. They use the finest eco-friendly, vegetable-tanned, biodegradable leather. They also use certified organic cotton that meets GOTS (Global Organic Textiles Standards) and Eco-friendly, vegetable-tanned leather to craft most of their products. In addition, all factory partners must meet or exceed the WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization) standards. 

MEMBERSHIPS

MADE FREE® is also a member of the following organizations aligned with their mission. 

 

sport drawstring bags

 

Social Enterprise Alliance is the national membership organization and key catalyst for the rapidly growing social enterprise movement in the United States. Serving as a voice for more sustainable social impact.

  

sustainable gift bags

 Established in 2009, the American Sustainable Business Council is a network of businesses and business associations committed to the triple bottom line of People, Planet, and Profit. ASBC members believe sustainable business is good and that a sustainable economy is prosperous and resilient.

 

sustainable makeup bags 

PovertyCure is an initiative of the Acton Institute that seeks to ground the battle against local and global poverty in a proper understanding of the human person and society and to encourage solutions that foster opportunity and unleash the entrepreneurial spirit that already fills poverty-stricken areas of the developed and developing world.

ETHICAL

leather womens purses

ADDRESSING THE CORE ISSUE

The MADE FREE® model was designed to provide sustainable social reform - addressing the root cause of slavery and human trafficking: poverty and the need for sustainable, ethical jobs that empower. Handouts of food, clothing, and water may help today but don’t necessarily change the circumstances for tomorrow. Their mission is to address the core issues to win the war on poverty. For poverty to end, those who make our fashion need to make a livable wage. Every purchase supports a day of freedom for your crafter through a sustainable job that provides a dignified, empowered, and sustainable pathway out of extreme poverty while reducing the risk of being trafficked or enslaved. For slavery and poverty to end, those who make our fashion need to be empowered through a livable wage. MADE FREE provides ethical, well-paying jobs to the most vulnerable who handcraft our quality apparel and accessories. Every purchase you or your organization makes matters.

SUSTAINABLE HANDBAG MATERIALS FOR HANDCRAFTING eco friendly bags

Eco-friendly bags - MADE FREE

BODY BAGS: Sports Bag Aw Orange

traveller bags

An upgrade of the popular day pack backpack in this all-weather, water-resistant poly. The large front zipper pocket is the perfect place to store your keys, phone, and wallet. It can be worn with a sack against your back for added security—adjustable straps for a custom fit.

LEATHER BAGS: MADE WITH PU LEATHER: Zip Wallet - Camel

mens zip wallet

Handcrafted from the finest biodegradable, eco-friendly, vegetable tanned leather. Fully lined with multiple pockets, slots, and an inside zip compartment.  A beautiful zip wallet for men!

LEATHER CLUTCH BLACK PURSE

black leather clutch

Handcrafted from the finest biodegradable, vegetable-tanned, eco-friendly leather. With a strong wristlet handle and black striped lining.

LEATHER PORTFOLIO - CAMEL

portfolio leather, portfolio leather case

These leather portfolios are handcrafted from the finest eco-friendly, vegetable-tanned, biodegradable leather, with two large inside pockets for legal pads and other papers, a pen holder, and two business card slots.

FAQs

IS MADE FREE A BUSINESS OR A NON-PROFIT?

We are a low-profit social enterprise company with a mission to provide life-changing jobs over profits. 

HOW DOES MADE FREE® FIND THE CRAFTERS THAT THEY WORK WITH?

MADE FREE® works with trusted partners in the countries we serve who already work extensively with the poorest of the poor. They are our eyes and ears and can qualify potential crafters for us. They share our vision, values, and commitment to those we serve. 

 HOW MUCH ARE THE MAKERS PAID?

All makers are paid at a level that meets or exceeds international fair trade standards and local wage requirements. In most cases 5X more than what they would be paid without this life-changing job.

HOW DO I CARE FOR & PROTECT MY FREEDOM PURCHASE?

Spot clean with water. A fabric or leather water repellent/protector can be applied to canvas, material, or leather to help guard against the elements and staining.

WHY DOES MADE FREE® USE LEATHER?

Sustainable leather is better for the environment than many “vegan or synthetic types of leather” made from environmentally damaging petrochemicals (oil) and synthetic chemicals. While they can be broken down to a degree, the synthetics used in vegan leathers don't fully biodegrade. As a result, they can also release toxic particles and phthalates, affecting the health of animals and the environmental health. 

WHAT IS ECO-FRIENDLY LEATHER?

Eco-friendly leather is vegetable-tanned leather without the use of chromium. It is also bio-degradable. In addition, all of the leather used is a recycled byproduct from the meat industry which would otherwise be discarded.

Choose Clear Givings Market / MADE FREE for ethical, sustainable bags.

Sustainability practices are Clear Givings Market / MADE FREE forte. When you purchase a MADE FREE eco bag, you're not only getting sustainable, eco friendly bags, but you're also supporting ethical employment connections. Clear Givings Market / MADE FREE offers great gifts to inspire you and your significant other, friends, and family. 

Treat yourself now, check out MADE FREE at Clear Givings Market! We love how MADE FREE is revolutionizing the sustainable handbags industry and making a powerful difference. Each purchase has a positive impact, providing life-changing employment in areas that lack resources.

Enjoy your purchase with a purpose at Clear Givings Market!