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.
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!