The Second Life of 18 Bottles: Turning Waste into a Design Gem

As Brand Manager of the Zdravybatoh.cz online shop, I come across products every day that promise “a greener tomorrow”. But honestly? Proof is often missing. With the Norwegian brand BECKMANN, it's different. The Norwegian temperament has no patience for empty talk. Where others use vague terms, we count bottles.

Why exactly 18? That's roughly how many PET bottles (0.5 l each) it takes to make one of our backpacks from the City or Street range. rPET technology isn't just about recycling; it's about giving new purpose to a material that would otherwise burden the planet for hundreds of years.

From the ocean floor to the mountain top

Try to picture the journey. A plastic bottle that may once have floated in the ocean, threatening marine life, goes through a demanding process of cleaning, shredding and melting. The result is a fibre – strong and water-resistant. This fibre is sewn into a backpack that you'll carry today on a trip to the Tatras, the Alps or just to a work meeting in the centre of Prague.

It's a powerful story: This backpack once floated in the ocean; now it's climbing to the summit with you. Travelling with that in mind changes the whole experience of a trip.

Norwegian quality: sustainability must not come at the expense of function

Many “eco” products fail at one key thing – durability. If an eco-friendly backpack falls apart after one season, it isn't eco-friendly. In Norway, where the weather doesn't forgive mistakes, they've known this since 1946.

Our backpacks for travellers and the city combine recycled materials with uncompromising functionality:

• Water resistance: rPET material naturally repels water, and the fabrics are also treated to withstand even a Central European cloudburst.
• Ergonomics first: Even the city and travel models have a sophisticated back system. An aluminium ergonomic bar (on selected models) ensures that the backpack keeps its shape and relieves the spine.
• Low weight: Thanks to advanced materials, you don't carry unnecessary extra kilos on your back.

Street FLX: the ideal companion for the modern nomad

If you're looking for a specific tip for your travels, my favourite is the Street FLX model. Why? Because it understands the needs of the modern traveller.

In the morning you head to work with your laptop and need a compact business backpack. In the afternoon you set off by train for the weekend and need to pack an extra hoodie and toiletries. The Street FLX has a unique expansion system – simply open the zip to increase the volume by 5 litres.

What you'll appreciate when travelling:

• A separate padded laptop pocket (keeping your data safe).
• A chest strap that spreads the weight and takes the strain off your shoulders when you're running for the train.
• A design that looks great both in the office and on a forest trail.

Travel responsibly, expect more

Don't settle for average. Expect more from your gear. Expect it to protect your health with top-quality ergonomics, and expect its production to make sense. With a BECKMANN backpack you're not just buying “luggage”. You're buying a piece of Norwegian engineering tradition and the good feeling that 18 bottles didn't end up in landfill but serve a new purpose.