Freitag Repurposes Plastic Tarp Waste into Versatile Bags

Frustrated by Zurich’s weather while cycling, Swiss brothers Markus and Daniel Freitag stumbled upon an idea to transform industrial waste into high-value fashion products. Since its founding in 1993, Freitag has consistently repurposed used truck tarpaulins into durable, waterproof bags that meet the needs of urban mobility. Their sustainable approach has established the brand as a pioneer in eco-friendly fashion, including in Indonesia through official distribution since 2021. According to Sanggit, Freitag’s booth manager at brightspotCITY, the initial inspiration came from Swiss cyclists’ habit of using bicycles for daily activities. “They came up with the idea of using tarpaulins as bags to keep belongings safe from rain,” he told Kompas.com during a private opening event at brightspotCITY on Tuesday, 26 May 2026. “Truck tarpaulins there need replacing every one to five years,” Sanggit added. The Freitag brothers saw potential in the waste piles. For them, the leftover materials could be collected and reused, resulting in a range of unique, patterned bags. Designers then carefully select the best sections of tarpaulin for colour composition and graphic lettering to maintain high artistic value. Sanggit said the showcased collection includes the Julien shoulder bag, Miami Vice shopping bag, and a red-and-white laptop bag. “The most sought-after models are the Sonny and Hawaii Five-O,” he noted. Several urban-inspired messenger bag models, such as the medium-sized Dexter and small Lassie, are designed to be flexible for users. The bags also incorporate components from recycled bike inner tubes and car seatbelt remnants.