Why The New Generation Le Pliage May Be More Eco-Friendly Than A Pair Of Jeans

Longchamp debuts the Le Pliage Green – a sustainable line of its trademark foldable totes that are made from recycled nylon.

By Imran Jalal, 22 Jul 2021

You can say that Longchamp's Le Pliage has always been somewhat of a circular fashion staple. The pared down canvas bag, introduced in 1993, minimises wastage by using few materials and discourages excessive consumption with its in-house repair service.

Indeed, customers can simply bring in their Le Pliage to the store to give the bag a new lease of life whenever it becomes scuffed or worn around the edges. The brand reveals that about 30,000 Le Pliage bags have been given a facelift to date.

This month, Longchamp officially seals the eco-friendly status of Le Pliage with the launch of Le Pliage Green. Made from recycled nylon, the release is the first time the French brand has created its trademark foldable bag collection with a material other than canvas. The launch also marks the transition for all Le Pliage bags to be made with this sustainable material by 2022.

While the material may be different now, the aesthetic and practicality of Le Pliage remains. The recycled nylon – sourced from items like fishing nets, stockings, et al and certified by the Global Recycled Standard – provides a similar level of durability and retains the waterproof and washable qualities of the OG canvas design.

Additionally, 90 per cent of the leather (a figure the brand hopes to increase to 100 per cent by 2023) used for the Le Pliage Green is said to be sourced from tanneries that bear the Gold certification by the Leather Working Group. The certification takes into account factors such as water and energy consumption and waste treatment.

If you're still considering the sustainable factor of Le Pliage Green, just consider this math: the brand estimates that the bag produces carbon dioxide emissions that are six times less than that for a pair of jeans.