In 2025, DHL Global Forwarding, Freight celebrated Appreciation Week with the theme "You Make a Difference." Inspired by this message, Global Service Center (GSC) set out to create a meaningful and sustainable giveaway for its employees across seven global locations - Columbia, Germany, Philippines, Hungary, China, Mumbai and Bangalore. They were looking for a partner that could collaborate with them to create a purposeful, high-utility, and aesthetically appealing product that employees would actively use in their daily lives. Additionally, they required end-to-end support, including doorstep delivery to each office, with complete ownership of logistics, customs, and coordination.Â
The Journey from Brief to Backpack
reCharkha proposed its Spartan Backpack, a thoughtfully handcrafted unisex bag made from upcycled plastic waste. Designed for daily commutes, it features a spacious main compartment, a roll-up canvas top, and discreet pockets bringing together style, practicality, and durability. However, DHL was looking for a solution that more closely aligned with the everyday needs of its employees.
In response, reCharkha refined the design to enhance functionality, incorporating dedicated compartments for a laptop and a water bottle to better support daily use.
Taking the message of brand and sustainability to the communityÂ
Co-branding:
We collaborated closely to integrate the DHL brand into the product, developing logo applications and creating mockups with multiple placement options. The final placement was selected based on optimal visibility, aesthetic balance, and alignment with DHL’s branding guidelines.
Artisan Card:
Each reCharkha product is accompanied by an artisan card that shares the story of the maker and traces the journey of the product, from discarded plastic to a durable, functional bag. It also highlights the impact of each purchase in generating livelihoods and contributing to environmental sustainability.
The making of the Spartan Bag-
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Upcycled Fabric:  Each bag is crafted using upcycled plastic waste 40-45 plastic bags & wrappers that transform discarded materials into a durable and functional fabric.
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Accessories: Â High-quality stainless steel zippers and runners are chosen for their durability and long life, reducing the need for frequent replacements.Â
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Cotton lining and sturdy belts are made from a natural, recyclable material, offering both comfort and durability while supporting more sustainable material choices.
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Upcycled Flex: Once used as advertising hoardings, upcycled flex materials are repurposed to provide structure and support to the bag, adding to its durability while extending the life of another waste material.
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Hitlon: A layer of hitlon, sourced from discarded sleeping bags, is incorporated to provide structure, cushioning, and reinforcement. By repurposing this material, the design extends the lifecycle of textile waste while enhancing durability for everyday use.Â
Turn Around Time
reCharkha delivered 6,700 bags within a span of three months, managing the entire process from production to last-mile delivery. This included weaving the fabric, crafting the bags, and ensuring seamless delivery across multiple global locations. The project was completed within a record timeframe, with full ownership of both manufacturing and making the products available exactly where DHL required them.
The impact
Through this collaboration, employee recognition at DHL became a reflection of purpose and responsibility. Together, we upcycled 300,000 plastic bags into durable backpack fabric, transforming waste into value. The project also generated over 11,000 days of livelihood for rural women and artisans, supporting income generation while advancing sustainable practices.Â
See what DHL has to say:
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