Freitag has been making messenger luggage and equipment from used truck tarps and different supplies because the early Nineteen Nineties. Its company philosophy is, “We predict and act in cycles.”
The corporate is extensively thought to be one of many authentic champions of round enterprise. To be taught extra, I interviewed Elisabeth Isenegger, communications lead and 13-year veteran at Freitag, by e-mail in November.
Suz Okie: Are you able to give a little bit of background on Freitag’s origins and why circularity is so central to its technique?
Elisabeth Isenegger: One thing that began with the recycling of discarded truck tarps has inspired us time and time once more to make use of assets and power sparingly.
Right now, our primary focus is holding merchandise and supplies in circulation for so long as attainable and understanding how we are able to depart the linear economic system behind us as soon as and for all.
Life-extending measures we now have already carried out, resembling upcycling, one-time recycling or restore, don’t absolutely fulfill this aim. As an alternative, we try to drive the round economic system by closing our materials cycles and changing into a round group. …Moreover, all good issues deserve a second life.
Okie: How have been repairability, sturdiness and different round ideas factored into the design?
Isenegger: This may be seen within the connected pouch manufactured from recycled truck tarpaulin and the zips, which have been visibly sewn. Additionally, the piece of tarpaulin that was reduce out of the pouch to insert the zip is utilized in the principle compartment as a docking strap for keys. On this method, the tarpaulin is used effectively and functionally within the product with out leaving manufacturing leftovers. On prime of this, the spare components, resembling punched reflectors, are supplied at no cost in our shops in order that the bag proprietor can repair some parts themselves, in the event that they select.
Okie: With regard to supplies, how large of a waste stream are truck tarps, and why did Freitag begin with this explicit materials stream?
Isenegger: Within the beginnings of Freitag in 1993, our two founders, graphic designers Markus and Daniel Freitag, have been searching for a practical, water-repellent and sturdy bag to carry their inventive work. Impressed by the multicolored heavy visitors that rumbled via the Zurich transit intersection in entrance of their flat, they developed a messenger bag from used truck tarpaulins, discarded bicycle inside tubes and automotive seat belts.
All-in-all, trade estimations declare that round 10 million sq. meters of (PVC) tarpaulins are produced yearly.
We’re additionally working with numerous industrial companions to develop a truck tarpaulin that, even after a protracted second life as a Freitag bag, doesn’t find yourself within the rubbish, however again within the cycle. The first prototypes of a round tarp at the moment are into its first spherical of testing by being mounted on small vehicles, and in 2024 there can be a second take a look at spherical with a primary small fleet of vehicles.
Okie: Historically, designing merchandise from upcycled supplies might be troublesome to scale given sporadic sourcing and extra concerned testing/high quality management. How does Freitag overcome this?
Isenegger: As an alternative of ordering a brand new materials in large volumes, we glance out for used truck tarps throughout Europe from a number of hundred completely different trucking firms, in as many various colours and prints as attainable. Not all of them can be utilized as a result of they often fail high quality checks. Nonetheless, we do not see these limits to scalability as solely detrimental, because it has helped us to pursue a wholesome, natural development and keep our genuine character as a distinct segment model.
Okie: The Freitag impression report denotes that you just’re “actively looking for higher options” to recycled PET.
Isenegger: We’re conscious that supplies produced from recycled PET bottles can solely be an interim resolution so long as the PET is sourced from [what could be] a practical closed cycle. Accordingly, we solely use them the place no round options can be found and are actively looking for higher options. In parallel, we’re presently engaged on completely different round initiatives.
We’re embarking on a brand new cycle with a product produced from only one materials. This newest round growth from Freitag known as Mono[PA6] as a result of each a part of the backpack, from the material to the buckles, is manufactured from only one materials: polyamide 6. The first 1,500 items of the primary round backpack can be manufactured from virgin PA6, a non-recycled materials, and are anticipated to be out there in spring 2024, together with a restore idea and takeback course of.
Okie: With regard to your round companies, it is thrilling to see you pursuing a number of round companies without delay.
Isenegger: We provide product-related companies resembling restore, take-back, customization, a complimentary bag change and a lending program.
On prime of the present companies, within the Freitag Laboratory of Progress (F.L.O.P.), a small workforce is puzzling over new round options and enterprise fashions which are in keeping with our manufacturers’ goal of “Clever design for a round future.”
