Baggu

Hello! My name is Marije and I am the founder of The Domestic Botanist. I often get the same questions about Baggu bags from customers, so that’s why I’m providing extra information in this article. One of the reasons why Baggu bags have become so popular in Europe (and specifically Nederland), is because of their minimalist design, sustainable materials, special prints and versatility. 

I’m hoping to answer all your questions with this article, and I will compare the most popular Baggu models with each other. Baggu is a sustainable bag brand, so I’ll also dive deeper into the impact of Baggu bags on reducing plastic waste. Let’s go! :)

What is Baggu?

Baggu is a sustainable brand from the US who started in 2007 with designing reusable bags with the goal of making plastic bags obsolete. The so-called Standard Baggu bags are made from recycled nylon. Later on they added the iconic canvas Duck Bags to their collections, these are made from a combination of 65% recycled cotton with a smaller part new cotton (I’ll explain to you later why they use partly recycled yarn). And since then they added a variety of bags. Their goal is to combine practical design with appealing looks.

Where can I buy Baggu Bags in Europe or Nederland?

If you live in Nederland or Europe you can buy Baggu bags at The Domestic Botanist. We have one of the largest selections in house and we offer the latest designs. And there’s another special feature that we have: at The Domestic Botanist we offer pre-order possibilities for Baggu styles. If your desired bag is not available you can send us an email and we’ll try to add your item to our next order! Just send us an email store@thedomesticbotanist.com and we’ll explain to you how it works.

What types of Baggu bags are available in Europe / Nederland?

Here is a general overview and explanation of the most popular types of Baggu bags in Nederland:

• Standard Baggu: The classic! This is a spacious and foldable shopping bag (64x39 cm, up to 22,5 kg carrying capacity) which comes in a variety of prints and colors. It folds into a 12,7x12,7 cm pouch. When folded, it easily fits as a small package in your jacket or handbag.

• Baby Baggu: This is the smaller variant (45x25 cm, holds up to 13,5 kg, it folds into a 10x10 cm pouch). This bag is ideal for lunch, small purchases or as a handbag. I also have quite some customers who buy this one for their kids! The Baby Baggu offers the same sustainable character, but in an extra compact size.

• Big Baggu: Even larger than the Standard: 84x46 cm, holds up to 22,5 kg and folds into 15x15 cm pouch) suitable for beach, shopping or weekend trips. I am personally using this big one to carry packages to the post office! It is really oversized (in a good way, haha).

• Crescent Bag: A curved, crescent-shaped (crossbody) bag, available in Medium and Large. Ideal as a city bag or for work and study. We notice this bag is getting increasingly popular and they come in many colors!

• Duck Bag: A sturdy canvas tote (made from 65% recycled cotton), with adjustable shoulder strap and short handles. This style comes as a Horizontal Duck Bag or the vertical regular Duck Bag. Both are versatile as a shopper or work bag. It fits a 15” inch laptop. Some customers buy them as a diaper bag as well! Available in different colors and sometimes even prints.

• Puffy Sleeves: Quilted puffy laptop sleeve, puffy glasses sleeve, puffy earbuds case: all with thick padding to protect your belongings (in a fun way!).

• Backpacks & Weekend Bags: Handy backpacks and travel bags, often in recognizable Baggu colors or prints. These big sustainable bags combine functionality with an urban feel.

Why are Baggu bags so popular?

Baggu bags are popular in the Netherlands because they offer practicality (which we Dutch people like, right?), sustainable bags that are often lightweight, machine washable and very strong.

The advantages of Baggu bags are:

• Sustainability: They are produced from recycled raw materials with a minimal waste design, something that perfectly aligns with growing environmentally conscious and
sustainable Dutch consumers.

• Timeless & hip: Their unique prints, colors and minimalist design language ensure they don't quickly go out of fashion. That’s what I love about them as well, as I always hope my customers will cherish their items for years to come!

• Practical and versatile: When folded they are very small (and therefore always portable), extremely light, but can carry heavy groceries. Therefore they are ideal for city dwellers, students and families.

• Affordable: The Standard Baggu costs around €16-€18 (depending on print or fabric), which is affordable for a high-quality, sustainable design product.

How sustainable and environmentally friendly is a Baggu bag?

Sustainability is the foundation of the Baggu brand. Here are some important facts that support the sustainability of their bags:

• Materials: Since 2022, all ripstop nylon bags from Baggu are made from 100% recycled nylon. The heavyweight nylon models are mostly made from 59% recycled nylon and the Duck Bag (and other canvas models) consist of 65% recycled cotton. Further below I’ll explain to you why this percentage isn’t always 100%.

• Minimal waste design: Through smart patterns, bags are cut from one piece of fabric, so virtually no waste is generated during production. Packaging is also almost exclusively made from recycled material.

• Long lifespan: Because bags are very sturdy, they are perhaps a one-time purchase, saving plastic and waste for years.

• Transparency in production: Baggu works with certified factories, where labor rights and environmental requirements come first.

• Plastic savings: One Baggu shopper can replace more than 1,000 plastic bags per year with frequent use.

Thanks to these efforts, every sold Baggu bag contributes to reducing plastic waste and stimulating a sustainable, circular economy.

Are Baggu bags machine washable?

One of the good things about Baggu is that most of their bags are machine washable! Their bags are designed for intensive use, so that’s why they're easy to clean:

• The nylon and canvas bags (Standard, Baby, Duck Bag) can be washed in the washing machine at 30 degrees. Use a delicate or gentle cycle and mild detergent.

• Let them air dry after washing. Never put your Baggu bag in the dryer, to prevent damage or shrinking.

• Leather details, or the quilted Puffy models, should be cleaned by hand with mild soap: dab the dirt off instead of scrubbing vigorously, so the filling or material stays intact.

• Avoid ironing, dry cleaning or bleach, as this can damage the material.

Always check the washing instructions on the label. If you wash your Baggu bag the right way, it will retain its color, shape and sturdiness for years. You can always contact me if you have any questions!

Frequently asked questions about Baggu bags

• What does a Baggu bag cost on average? Depending on model, between €15 (Baby Baggu) to around €80 (Large Crescent or weekend bag). Limited editions or collaborations are sometimes more expensive.

• Are Baggu bags a good alternative to plastic? Yes: one Baggu bag replaces an estimated thousands of plastic bags in its lifetime.

• Can you personalize Baggu bags? Collaborations are sometimes done where a design is exclusive, but personalizing yourself (name, initials) you have to arrange yourself through, for example, a local screen printer or sewing studio.

• Are all Baggu bags made in China? Yes, but at controlled, ethical factories with attention to people and environment.

• Why is the Standard Baggu such an icon? Because of the price, compactness, weight, prints and the fact that it fits any lifestyle.

• How long does a Baggu bag last on average? With normal use, Baggu bags can last several years, often more than 5 years.

Baggu Europe: We now accept custom orders at The Domestic Botanist!

Is there a specific Baggu item that you are searching for? Shipping costs from the United States to Europe are quite costly so we offer a pre-order service for our customers. This means we can add your personal orders to ours. Let us know which items you wish and we’ll try to add it to our order! As soon as the shipment is here we can forward your beloved Baggu bag to you! Please do not hesitate to send me an email, and I’ll let you know how it works! Xoxo Marije

Conclusion

I hope you found some helpful information about Baggu. Please note you can always send me an email if you like any info. I'm willing to help! Kindest, Marije