Big bags (often called FIBCs—Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers) are ubiquitous in industries like construction, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing due to their durability and capacity for transporting bulk materials. These sturdy containers, crafted from woven polypropylene strips, can store and transport large volumes of loose materials such as granules, powders, or flakes, significantly improving efficiency and reducing labour costs in bulk handling processes. They are also lightweight, cost-effective, and often reduce the need for additional packaging. However, despite their many advantages, their recycling can be challenging.
While the big bags themselves are often recyclable, it’s essential for most companies to label them with additional tags that are attached using strips. These labels are mostly made from plastics like PVC, nylon, or even mismatched PP varieties that create a barrier to efficient recycling, requiring manual separation.
AION, who specializes in sustainable and circular industrial design for plastic products has taken a closer look at how small changes in packaging design can significantly impact waste reduction and circularity. Their solution involves creating a fully recyclable tag made from 100% recycled plastic materials from the big bags themselves. By using compatible materials, this eliminates the need for label removal, simplifies recycling, and overall reduces the waste that typically ends up in landfills.
These circular packaging tags contribute to a zero-waste approach by ensuring that entire big bags can be recycled together, without separating components. This innovation not only simplifies and streamlines recycling, but also contributes to lowering CO2 emissions, thanks to the reduced need for incineration and new material production.
Big bags are essential across industries, but as single-use items they are contributing significantly to plastic waste worldwide. By rethinking these details in packaging, even small changes can have a substantial impact on sustainability.
AION is a Norwegian based company specializing in sustainable industrial design and circular plastic solutions. Leveraging deep expertise in recycled materials, AION collaborates with industries, manufacturers, and recycling partners to transform waste into valuable resources.