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WASTE IS OUR RESSOURCE

ZURICH / COPENHAGEN – The Swiss upcycling pioneers FREITAG present «WASTE IS OUR RESOURCE» during 3daysofdesign 2026. From June 10–12, the installation explores the potential of discarded materials. At the very entrance of the Swiss Atelier in the newly opened Swiss Embassy, FREITAG showcases how circular thinking can transform «trash» into functional, long-lasting, one-of-a-kind design pieces.

Thinking and acting in cycles is deeply rooted in the FREITAG culture. At this year's 3daysofdesign, the Zurich-based bag makers transforms the entrance of the new Swiss Embassy into a statement on the reuse of waste materials. This installation symbolizes the durability of upcycled materials telling the story of their former life on the road. Visitors don’t just enter a building; they transition through a physical history of European transit and the FREITAG factory process, interacting with the textures, sounds, smells, and the scale of materials that have traveled thousands of kilometers before finding a second life in a bag.

This immersive scenography layout was realized through local Copenhagen studio Borg Brückner. Beyond the visual experience, guests are invited to get hands-on at a DIY station, creating their own small pouches from leftover tarp scraps – a tangible piece of the circular journey.

The exhibition «WASTE IS OUR RESOURCE» will launch during 3daysofdesign on June 10, 2026 as part of THE SWISS ATELIER in the newly opened Swiss Embassy at Store Kongensgade 128.

THE SWISS ATELIER

THE SWISS ATELIER brings Switzerland to 3daysofdesign, celebrating a design philosophy rooted in innovation, precision and sustainability. Leading brands meet rising designers from Switzerland and Denmark – weaving craftmanship and innovative thinking into a creative experience in and around the newly opened Embassy of Switzerland in Denmark in Store Kongensgade.

Exhibition Dates
10–12 June 2026

Opening Hours
10:00–18:00

ABOUT FREITAG

FREITAG makes bags and accessories from used and, increasingly, circular materials. What began in Zurich in 1993 with messenger bags made from discarded truck tarps now comprises around 60 models, every product a one-off. FREITAG products are robust, functional everyday companions that, thanks to a range of repair and exchange services, can expect an even longer, more fulfilling life. The headquarters is in Zurich, where a large part of the truck tarpaulins are disassembled, washed, and cut to size. The company also runs 30 FREITAG Stores worldwide, a Zurich-based Online Store, and its products are available at over 220 retail partners globally.