- FREITAG Creates Bags And Accessories Out Of Recycled Tarpaulins
- Zurich-based FREITAG makes robust bags out of recycled tarpaulins with eco-friendly production techniques.
Image © Plan B Film via FREITAG
Founded by graphic designers Markus and Daniel Freitag back in 1993, the Freitag bags are functional, water repellent and robust. The Freitag story is inspired by the multicolored heavy traffic of a Zurich transit intersection in front of the founders’ flat. The first bag ever designed was a messenger bag from used truck tarpaulins, discarded bicycle inner tubes and car seat belts, made right in the living room of the share apartment.Â
Image © Oliver Nanzig via FREITAG
With their innovative design, the Freitag brothers has brought a major change to the world of bag making. What started from the apartment in Zurich, has now made its way all over the world, from Europe to Asia. With each product made from recycled materials, and each one completely unique, their products are now available across 26 FREITAG stores and at over 300 resellers around the world. The online store provides over 4000 unique products.
Image © tinygiant.ch via FREITAG
Image © Oliver Nanzig via FREITAG
Similar to how it all began, each FREITAGÂ bag is produced from used truck tarps. Meeting their production needs of around 700,000 products annually, requires 800 tons of used tarp material, which is no easy task. A dedicated logistical team of five tracks the material required, back to the factory from Sweden to Portugal.
Image © FREITAG
The used tarps are then cut down, washed to remove the grime from the roads, revealing their unique patina. To make this process sustainable, the water collected rooftop rainwater-harvesting is used, which is warmed up using the residual heat from the leftover dirty water. Once cleaned, the tarps are taken to the drying room instead of a power-hungry dryer.Â
Image © FREITAG
The design department takes charge of the design process, who also handles the actual cutting of raw material to make sure as many bags as possible can be cut from the raw material, avoiding wastage. The cut materials are sewed up at various locations handled by partners of FREITAG. The finished bags are returned to the factory from where the bags are dispatched to stores worldwide.Â
Image © Lukas Wassmann via FREITAG
Over the years, FREITAG has established their presence in the industry with their unique products, and have won several awards. They have also come up with several unique initiatives like their micro-factories called Sweat-Yourself-Shop where customers can take part in making their own bag out of recycled tarpaulins. You can visit a nearby store or buy their products online from their website.Â
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