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SMALL ACTS, GIANT IMPACT

Giant Airway Sport Recycled bottle cages are made from recycled plastic fishing nets and generate a significantly lower amount of CO2 in their production process. With the millions of plastic bottle cages that are used annually by cyclists worldwide, putting an Airway Sport Recycled cage on your bike is a small act that has a giant impact.

fishing nets around dolphin

GHOST NETS

Over 640,000 tons of discarded fishing nets - the equivalent of 426,000 cars - pollute our oceans and seas every year. These “ghost nets” present a significant ecological problem, adding to micro plastics in the ocean and harming sea life.

From Net to Bottle Cage

Giant works with local recyclers who collect ghost nets and prepare them for conversion into the pellets we use to make our recycled bottle cages.

fishing nets
Step 1. Collecting
Discarded nets are collected from large and small fishing companies all over Taiwan.
pulling fishing nets
Step 2. Sorting & Cleaning
The nets are sorted and classified by material and then cleaned to remove impurities.
washing nets
Step 3. Washing & Drying
Salt water impacts the quality of the plastic used to make our bottle cages, so each net is thoroughly rinsed with fresh water and dried in the sun. This process can take up to a few months.
fishing net
Step 4. Cutting Up
Each net is cut up into manageable pieces prior to the melting process.
melting fishing nets
Step 5. Melting & Squeezing
The pieces of net are now melted down into a liquid. The liquid is then squeezed into long, thin strands and left to cool into solid plastic.
pellets
Step 6. Making the Pellets
Once the strands have cooled into solid plastic, they are cut up into tiny pellets, known as post consumer recycled (PCR) pellets, and shipped off to our bottle cage manufacturing plant.
cages
Step 7. Making the Cages
In the final step, the PCR pellets are combined with some fiberfill for added reinforcement and crafted into sturdy, sustainable water bottle cages for your bike!

Why a recycled bottle cage?

The universal presence of bottle cages makes them a powerful tool for environmental progress in the bike industry. By transitioning to recycled materials, we can collectively make significant movement towards increased sustainability.

Lower CO2 Emissions

Utilizing PCR pellets in water bottle cage production significantly reduces the environmental impact of the process. On average, production of a recycled cage is responsible for only 150 grams of CO2, a remarkable 54% decrease compared to production for cages made with virgin pellets.

Good as New

Through a meticulous process of filtering, rinsing, and drying, we ensure that the recycled material is free of salt and impurities. By incorporating additional reinforcing fiberfill, we create injection molded pellets that match the physical properties of virgin plastic, resulting in a recycled material that’s as good as new.

Giant Group Enviro Mark

It's more than just a mark; it's a story of transformation and innovation. When you spot this symbol, you're looking at products designed with the planet in mind. From the deep blue seas where we source our recycled materials, to the vibrant green trails you ride on, our Enviro Mark means you're part of a cycle of change.

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