Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to our FAQ page. We’ve organized common questions about our mission, products, sustainability, and makers so you can quickly find what you’re looking for.

Our Mission & Business

Q: Is MADE FREE® a business or a nonprofit?
We are a low-profit social enterprise. That means we prioritize creating life-changing jobs over maximizing profits. Every purchase supports freedom through dignified work.

Q: How does each purchase create freedom?
Every MADE FREE® product funds a day of freedom for a maker. By providing safe, sustainable jobs, we help break cycles of poverty and exploitation.

Q: How do you find the crafters you work with?
We partner with trusted organizations in South Asia that serve vulnerable communities. These partners share our values and help us connect with artisans who benefit most from fair trade work.

Q: How much are the makers paid?
Our makers earn wages that meet or exceed international fair trade standards and local wage requirements—often up to 5× more than typical alternatives. This income provides food, housing, healthcare, and education for their families.

Sustainability & Materials

Q: What makes MADE FREE® bags sustainable?
We use 100% organic cotton canvas, biodegradable vegetable-tanned leather, and recycled materials. Our lifetime guarantee encourages fewer, longer-lasting purchases, helping reduce fashion waste.

Q: What is your commitment to environmental protection?
We take a triple bottom line approach (social, environmental, economic). Alongside sustainable materials, we prioritize safe jobs and fair wages. This holistic model reduces poverty while cutting waste from the fashion industry.

Q: Why do you use leather?
Our leather is a recycled byproduct from the meat industry that would otherwise go to landfills. It is vegetable-tanned without chromium, making it biodegradable and safer than synthetic “vegan” leathers, which are often made from harmful petrochemicals.

Q: What is eco-friendly leather?
Eco-friendly leather is vegetable-tanned, chromium-free, and biodegradable. All of our leather comes from recycled byproducts, helping reduce waste.

Products & Collections

Q: What types of bags do you offer?
Our collections include:

Backpacks (for school, work, and travel)

Tote bags (everyday carry)

Hip packs (hands-free essentials)

Leather goods (duffles, clutches, totes)

Market totes (eco-friendly shopping bags)

Q: Do you offer a lifetime guarantee?
Yes. Every bag is backed by our lifetime guarantee. If something goes wrong, we’ll repair or replace it—helping you buy less and carry longer.

Q: How do I care for my MADE FREE® bag?
Spot clean with water. A fabric or leather protector can be applied to canvas or leather to help guard against stains and weather.

Makers & Impact

Q: Where are MADE FREE® bags made?
All products are handcrafted in South Asia in World Fair Trade certified factories.

Q: What standards do your factories follow?
Our factories meet or exceed World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) standards, including:

Livable wages & income security

Safe working conditions and the right to unionize

Community development and local economic growth

Sustainability & environmental protection

Q: Where can I learn more about the makers?
Visit our Meet the Makers page to read stories of the artisans whose lives are being transformed by your purchases.

Still Have Questions?