True sustainability isn’t just about changing how we produce energy; it’s about changing how we manage the materials that make that energy possible.
We recently had the incredible privilege of collaborating with Enel North America, a leader in the renewable energy sector. Enel came to us with a clear, ambitious mission: find a meaningful, circular solution for retired tarp materials from their utility-scale wind projects.
Instead of letting this ultra-durable, weather-resistant fabric end up in a landfill, we teamed up to create something extraordinary—custom, premium backpacks distributed to every single Enel employee across the United States and Canada.
Encouraged by the success of this collaboration, we knew we had to take it further. Our desire to push the boundaries of sustainability and creativity led us to plan even more projects with Ecologic Designs. Together, we are exploring fresh avenues to repurpose waste and design products that symbolize our unwavering environmental commitment.
It all starts with a conscious decision to give discarded materials a second life. We meticulously collect our retired banners, knowing that these once vibrant symbols of events hold untapped potential. The magic happens at the skillful hands of Ecologic Designs artisans, who transform the banners into stunning fabrics filled with stories and memories.
Enel is an Italian multinational energy company and one of the world’s largest integrated electricity and gas operators. It operates in more than 30 countries, including Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, serving around 70 million end-users.
Enel has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) since 1999, where it trades under the ticker symbol ENEL. The company’s American depositary shares (ADSs) are also traded on the NYSE.
Enel Green Power is a renewable energy company and a subsidiary of the Enel Group, one of the largest energy companies in the world. Enel Green Power focuses on the development, construction, and operation of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, and hydropower.
Enel Green Power operates in over 30 countries and has more than 1,300 plants around the world, producing electricity from renewable sources. The company is committed to helping reduce carbon emissions and promoting sustainable development through its renewable energy projects.
Enel Green Power is also actively involved in research and development of new renewable energy technologies, aiming to increase the efficiency and sustainability of renewable energy sources.
The Material Challenge: From Wind Farms to the Design Studio
Industrial tarps used in utility wind projects are engineered to survive the harshest elements. They are heavy, thick, and highly resilient—which makes them terrible for landfills, but absolutely perfect for rugged, everyday gear.
The transformation process from industrial waste to employee apparel required meticulous craftsmanship:
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Harvesting & Processing: The retired tarps were collected directly from Enel’s North American wind project sites and shipped to our facility.
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Deep Cleaning & Inspection: Decades of outdoor exposure meant the material needed careful cleaning to prepare it for manufacturing while preserving its rugged aesthetic.
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Deconstruction & Patterning: Our production team carefully cut the tarps to maximize material usage, ensuring that functional elements of the original tarps were integrated into the backpack design.
The Final Product: A 1-of-1 Piece of Enel History
The resulting backpacks are a masterclass in functional corporate upcycling. Because they were harvested from real, operational wind project tarps, no two backpacks and duffels bags are exactly alike. Every employee received a completely unique piece of their company’s infrastructure history.
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Weatherproof Utility: Engineered with the same rugged DNA that protected wind project equipment.
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Modern Design: Custom-tailored with dedicated laptop sleeves, ergonomic straps, and organized tech compartments for the modern workforce.
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A Symbol of Shared Mission: A daily, tangible reminder carried by thousands of employees showing Enel’s commitment to environmental protection.
Learn more about Enel’s Green Power.
