In almost every Canadian city, there are hard-working people who collect and sort refundable cans and bottles so they get recycled. They are called binners, and they are an essential part of the country’s recycling system. Most of them do this work carrying flimsy plastic bags. The Dignity Bag was built to change that, and BWI helped make it happen.
A tool for work that goes unseen
In Montréal alone, binners recover millions of aluminum cans every year. Their work keeps material out of landfills and back in the supply chain, but it is rarely recognized and almost never supported with proper equipment.
The idea behind The Dignity Bag was simple: give binners a bag built for the job. One that carries more, holds up to daily use, keeps them visible on the street, and shows the work for what it is.
Co-designed in Calgary
BWI’s Morgan Quinton co-designed The Dignity Bag with a partner company, and the design was shaped in collaboration with working binners. Custom sewn products are what our Calgary shop does every day, and this project put that experience to work on something that matters well beyond industry.
The finished bag is lightweight and tear-resistant, and it holds up to 240 aluminum cans. It has a quick-release drawstring at the top, adjustable straps, and high-viz straps with reflective details so binners are visible day and night.
Lightweight. Tear-resistant. Holds up to 240 cans. Built so the people doing the work can be seen.
On the national news
The project was featured on CBC national news, putting a spotlight on binners and the tools they deserve. The bag was launched with a Montréal non-profit co-operative that works with binners every day, and the goal is to get a bag to every working binner in Canada.
What this means for your project
The Dignity Bag started the way most of our custom work does: with a problem and a conversation. If you need a bag, tarp or cover that doesn’t exist yet, we can co-design it with you, prototype it locally, and build it in Calgary.