Trek & Cannondale Introduce More Recyclable Bike Packaging on Some Models
Trek and Cannondale are investigating options for shipping their bikes in fully recyclable and plastic-free packaging with a goal of eventually ditching plastic bags, PVC and zip ties.
While cycling is seen as a green sport, the industry currently has a large plastic problem and a huge reliance on the material to package bikes, components and clothing. This year, both Trek and Cannondale have begun to explore other options for packaging their bikes. They believe a change would not only help the environment, but can be better for bike shops and customers.
Cannondale's solution to the plastic problem involves using FSC-Certified cardboard with natural, plant-based inks and biodegradable fiber-reinforced paper tape. Cannondale estimate that their old packaging produced around 20 liters of landfill waste as most of the packaging was not recyclable.
 | Our objective was to design a better packaging system. Make it better for the environment, make the packaging protection stronger and significantly reduce assembly time. This is better for the planet, a gift for bike shops, and a win for our customers. |
Trek has not quite ditched all their plastics yet, but have plans to go entirely plastic-free eventually. Currently, Trek was able to reduce the number of non-recyclable parts down from 22 to 12 on their Marlin hardtail and for 2021, they hope to get this number down to just 2.
Both Cannondale and Trek are testing out the new packaging on limited models in their range with the aim to expand further in the future.
Trek's Packaging Before and After:
Before:
After:
In addition to updating their packaging, Trek has recently launched a campaign to educate customers and retailers on how they can safely and effectively dispose of the packaging. They believe that education also plays a big role in minimising the environmental impact of packaging.
| We set out to reimagine this product, simplify it, and decrease our impact. But packaging is only one step on our broader path. Another big one is education. |
To help with this issue, Trek has released a detailed guide on how to deal with their packaging here and they are set to release a sustainability report later this year.
Just by making the switch to a more sustainable packaging on their Marlin hardtail, Trek will save almost 23,000 kilograms from landfill. This makes you think how much plastic could be saved from landfills if the entire cycling industry introduced more recyclable packaging.
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Ps. sure, electric cars aren't great in terms of production and at the end of their life cycle, but they still more than make it right during the 10-15 years of usage in between.
modernfarmer.com/2016/05/sheet-mulching
I never thought to use bike boxes for this though. Sounds like I might have an excuse to stop by the shop soon!
When you listen to the bike podcasts and they ask the question how to get a job in the industry, it’s a lot of times the same answer: work at a bike shop and make yourself seen.
Chances are there that a bike brand manager may read your comment. But if you want to Make sure they see you, get in their face- in the best way possible.
Good luck and go after it!
If it makes you feel better, have at it. The reality however simply doe not care about your emotional status. The moral code of Westerners simply is not germane to a conversation about global efforts to reduce pollution.
Hey, seen any images of Prince William Sound lately? Or more so, Hiroshima? Hmmmmmmmm....seems the tree huggers simply are not basing their emotional cries on the realities of this ever changing planet.
Who will they sell the batteries from the converted factory to, if noone outside China will buy them, dumbass?
No buyers -> no export -> no production -> no pollution.
I promise however, I will not toss a reflector, a wheel disk thinger or a gel packet onto the underbrush.
The actual point was that most of the civilization is responsible for China's pollution levels.
As pertaining to bikes....simply, in most cases...they do it better. You have to look hard to find an AFFORDABLE comparison to many of the Chinese items (I am including Taiwan as China).
All in all, it is a multifaceted scenario where Unions, EPA, Minimum wages and taxing bodies have driven MFG to China (and other second world nations). Blaming ourselves for their lack of concern on the environment? Um, no, I am good. The entire thought process and judging virtue is WAY old with me. I do not tolerate it from our staff, I do not tolerate is from riding partners and I do not tolerate it (by not shopping at) stores and brands with the same "intolerance" for free will and open markets.
No environmentalist can prove any of their theories. Conjecture, sure. Science? Nope. Scientists used to say the Earth was flat and the Sun rotated around our planet....well, until the day they didnt.
We might wish to believe "every little bit counts", but this is just greenwashing.
Scrub carbon.... no amount of reduction in output or increase in efficiency will un-do the warming trends. It's like draining the ocean with a dixie cup.
Everyone is content "feeling" like they are making a difference, and that should scare us. Feelings can't change data.
My point is that there are folks who want to "feel" like they are making a difference, but they aren't educated enough to understand that the contributions they are proud of are trivial... but if we can educate consumers we could drive real change.
I think we are in more agreement than initially implied.
But seriously, how do they plan to recycle carbon frames and components?
And what about ebikes components? Expect some ebikes going to trash because most of the electronics is not open source / repairable.
This is not an easy answer. If you pack as clean as possible the costumer will complain, if you overpack, the costumer will be unhappy.
We try to develop "boxes" that you can transport without damages and storage in an easy way. After the bike is on the spot, the box must be easily folded and able to send to a recycling spot.
I can say that 99% of the people in the industry is trying and ready to make changes, not only small changes, we try to make big changes. We are not old fashion people, we like our planet and we try the best.
Was nice to read all the comments and for sure we will take care of the good ideas.
Have a nice ride this weekend!
My idea would go like this: The manufacturer sends however many modular boxes they can fit (stack? Interlock like legos?) on a reusable pallet with a deposit cost to the shop on each box -> that gets dropped off at the bike shop -> the bike shop sends back their empty modular boxes and they get their deposit back from the manufacturer.
I admittedly don’t know much about bike shipping logistics from manufacturers but from what I understand, each manufacturer has a regional distribution center and I’m going to guess that distribution center is using a dedicated logistics company to ship bikes from the DC to the retailer. The delivery company will be returning to the DC for another pickup after making the rounds, so it would make sense for the retailer to send back their modules when they’re empty. It makes sense in my head, at least, but I’m sure there are all kinds of costs I don’t know about.
Its not new and this announcement is just sloppy greenwashing.
I think since bike companies are interested in making money, there’s a profit motivation / improved CSI scores that their actuaries/accountants think will drive higher sales when companies like Pinkbike or Business Insider, WSJ, etc mention this practice by Trek & Cannondale.
TLDR follow the money