Earth Day
Repair, Not Replace: How The Travel Store Embraces Earth Day Through Zero Waste
Source: Noah Buscher on Unsplash
Every year, Earth Day—which falls on 22 April—reminds us of our shared responsibility to care for the planet. At The Travel Store, we take this message to heart. That’s why this Earth Day, we focused on something often overlooked in the world of travel: the power of repair.
Instead of tossing damaged suitcases into the landfill, we asked: What if we could reduce waste, restore value, and reimagine how we treat our belongings? Through our Zero Waste campaign, we brought the 3Rs—Respect, Restore, Reimagine—to life in a meaningful, practical way.
We respect the Earth by reducing waste. We restore instead of replace. And we reimagine a future where every bag, no matter how worn, still holds value. Because at The Travel Store, we believe in giving your luggage a second life.
Source: Antoine GIRET on Unsplashs
RESPECT: Showing Mother Nature We Care
Ever wondered what happens to old suitcases once they’re discarded? Most of them end up in landfills, where synthetic materials like hard plastic or coated fabrics can take up to 500 years to decompose. Worse, broken zippers or cracked wheels (which are often minor issues), become the reason entire bags are tossed.
By choosing to respect our planet, we begin by rejecting the mindset of disposable living. A single repaired bag means one less item contributing to landfill overflow. It may seem small, but these choices add up, especially when we travel often.
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Source: FB
RESTORE: Why Repairing (Not Replacing) is the Smarter Choice
Let’s face it: new luggage can be expensive. A decent carry-on can cost anywhere between RM150 to RM2,000+ depending on brand and size. Meanwhile, basic repairs like fixing a handle or replacing a wheel? They start from just RM20.
Repairing isn’t just a sustainable choice, it’s a financially smart one too. At The Travel Store, we want to normalise the idea that restoring your gear is not only doable, but actually the better choice. After all, it’s not just luggage—it’s your trusted travel companion. Why replace it when you can keep it going?
Source: Pinterest
REIMAGINE: Giving Your Old Suitcase a New Purpose
Not everything can be fixed, and that’s okay. But that doesn’t mean it has to be wasted. There are many ways we can upcycle or repurpose old suitcases. A few examples include turning them into furniture (like a desk, nightstand or shelves), pet beds, planter boxes, and even portable storage units.
It’s all about reimagining what your luggage can become. With a little creativity, your retired suitcase might just become your next favourite conversation piece at home.
Source: FB
A Look Back at Our First Earth Day Campaign
This year, The Travel Store’s first-ever Earth Day event took place from 19–22 April. Over four days, our customers got to enjoy free repair services for selected luggage brands like Echolac, Eminent, Hush Puppies, and Verage at our key locations. This gave them a chance to restore their old luggage bags and reduce waste in the process. We’re so grateful to our customers for showing genuine interest in the idea of restoring instead of replacing.
Besides that, we also hosted sustainability talks with industry experts, sparking conversations around responsible travel and conscious consumerism. And to reward our loyal customers, the top 50 players of our mini game “Repair Rush!” got to take home exclusive prizes and cash vouchers.
Source: TTS
You Can Still Enjoy Repair Services at The Travel Store
Although our Zero Waste campaign for Earth Day has officially ended, our commitment to sustainability continues. As part of our ongoing effort to support zero waste, you may visit the following The Travel Store outlets for luggage repair services:
- The Travel Store Taman Kepong (Headquarters)
- The Travel Store KLCC
- Echolac Mid Valley
- The Travel Store KL East Mall
- The Travel Store Aeon Big Wangsa Maju
- The Travel Store BMC Mall
- The Travel Store Penampang KK
- The Travel Store Suria Sabah
So if your suitcase is gathering dust or missing a wheel, don’t toss it just yet. Bring it over to any of the locations above and we’ll be happy to help you repair your luggage!