For every purchase made we plant 5 mangrove trees. Why? Because giving back to mother nature and the community where we handcraft our bags is at the heart of what we do. 

Indonesia is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. Made up of over 17,000 islands, Indonesia is home to 135 threatened mammal species, including the endangered Sumatran Tiger, Orangutang, the Javan Rhinoceros and Sumatran Elephant. What's even more impressive, is that these beautifully delicate islands make up 25% of our global fish populations.

Sadly, these beautiful islands and their inhabitants are also under threat. This is partly due to human impact (overfishing for example), but also from natural occurrences such as coastal erosion and tsunami's. Luckily for us, several organisations exist that are working to reduce this impact. We're partnered with nonprofit organisation Eden Reforestation Projects to do our bit.

Why mangrove trees?

Mangrove trees are magical. Their roots reduce soil erosion, and provide breeding grounds and safe nurseries for schooling fish. In turn, this reduces the effects of flooding. Mangrove trees are also amazing carbon dioxide suckers! Mangrove forests can store twice as much carbon on a per-area basis compared to salt marshes. During normal growth, mangroves rapidly convert carbon dioxide into biomass, and store this material in the soil.

Duffle&Co mangrove trees

As global warming increases the temperature of the world we know, you'd have thought that trees such as mangroves would be planted everywhere! However, Indonesia continues to lose 6.2 million acres of forest habitat a year, and in the last 3 decades, has lost over 40% of its mangrove forests. This has affected not only the environment and the species that rely on them but also the communities that depend on this ecosystem for survival.

Our partner Eden Reforestation Projects

By partnering with Eden Reforestation Projects we are able to actively work with local communities to restore forests on a massive scale, thereby creating jobs, protecting ecosystems and helping mitigate climate change.

Located on the northern coast of West Papua, Biak Island is characterised by its tropical climate and extensive coastline. This is the island where you help us plant mangrove trees. Eden Reforestation Projects is working with local villagers on Biak Island to restore, replant, and protect these unique and vital forest systems.

Duffle&Co are a seedling level partner with Eden Reforestation Projects. This means that as of April 2022, more than $5,000 USD has been donated to restore this ecosystem. So every time you purchase a Duffle&Co bag or accessory, 5 mangrove tree seedlings are planted in and around Biak Island.

Duffle&Co mangrove community

This planting isn't just helping grow trees, but also helps in providing valuable paid work days for local villagers that would otherwise be living below the international poverty line. By choosing Duffle&Co, you're showing the world that you wear your values. You're casting a vote for craftsmanship over mass production, climate positive design and a future that envisions a cleaner planet.

We're using fashion as a force for good, creating bags that do more than just look good. By choosing Duffle&Co, you can wear your values!

You can learn more about Eden Reforestation Projects here.

To contribute 5 trees to our planting efforts, shop our collection here.