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How to recycle and reuse eBike packaging
Riding an e-bike is something you can feel good about - once you own one, you can charge it with just a few dollars of electricity each year. It's incredibly environmentally friendly and economical compared to other methods of transportation, like owning, insuring, and filling up a car.
However, as with any consumer product, "low environmental impact" doesn't mean that bikes still need to be assembled, packaged and shipped, and are typically made of cardboard, plastic, Styrofoam and printed paper. You can reduce your environmental impact by reusing and recycling the packaging that protects your new e-bike during transport. Let's take a look at some creative ideas.
ITEMS YOU CAN REUSE
DONATE TOOLS
If your eBike comes with tools that you no longer need after assembly, consider donating them. We got this idea from Jordan at Bike Labs, a Denago dealer in Mansfield, Texas. Since they assemble a lot of bikes, there are quite a few duplicate tools in their shop.
By donating to a local cycling organization, they stay out of the landfill and help others who need them.
CABLE TIES
Cable ties can be incredibly useful by cutting them as close to the “clamp” mechanism as possible to preserve their length. Cable ties can then be set aside for:
Organize bundles of cables under your computer or stereo.
Make emergency repairs to clothing or gear along the road or trail. Throw a few in your toolbox.
Keep your workshop clean and tidy – for example, you can use cable ties to hold bundles of loose spokes together.
CARDBOARD
Don't forget the most obvious reuse of the outer box - reshipping your eBike in the future, as the box and styrofoam inserts are made specifically for your make/model, so having them on hand if you plan on shipping your bike in the future might be a good idea.
Inside the larger outer box you will also find several smaller brown cardboard boxes that can easily be used for sending birthday presents or storing Christmas decorations in the attic or basement.
The entire brown “craft” cardboard can even be used for composting when it is completely used up!
FRONT AXLE SPACERS
If your eBike arrives without a front wheel, the dropouts (the place where the wheel axle ultimately fits) are protected with a black plastic "dummy axle" - don't throw it away after you've fitted the front wheel, otherwise you'll ever need to ship your bike again.
BRAKE BLEEDING BLOCKS
When no wheel is mounted on an e-bike, we want to avoid the brake pads being compressed too tightly, requiring the rider to manually pull them back - a problem. A plastic brake bleed block is used to prevent this, the block prevents the brake pads from moving too far.
Many riders use these when travelling with their bike, for example when removing the front wheel to store their eBike in the trunk of a car, so hold on to them.
STYROFOAM
Since Styrofoam is not easily recycled, you should reuse it whenever possible. We've found some creative uses when you break it down into smaller pieces, including:
Drainage material for potted plants
Pack peanuts protectively
Stuffing pillows or repairing stuffed animals
ITEMS YOU CAN RECYCLE
CARDBOARD
Your eBike has been packaged both inside and out with cardboard, which can be recycled in almost any municipality. If your city or town uses a black bin for garbage (landfill) and a blue bin for recycling, you can almost certainly throw all the cardboard in the paper bin.
plastic bags
Most plastic bags are recyclable – look for the symbol printed on the bag.
PAPER PRINTING MATERIAL
Some customers like to use digital/PDF versions of quick start guides and user manuals. If you don't plan on using the paper versions, throw them in the trash too.
If you need to read it again in the future, get a digital copy from the Denago download page.
COPPER CLIPS
Some eBike brands and models use large copper staples to close the outer box. If you have the staples, they are also recyclable.
Items that end up in landfill
STYROFOAM
Every Denago eBike comes with some specially shaped polystyrene pieces to protect your eBike during transport. We think it's a good idea to keep these in case you need to ship your eBike again in the future.
If you have exhausted the “reuse” ideas above, throw it in the trash if necessary.
What about e-bike batteries?
Most high-quality eBike batteries use lithium-ion (“Li-Ion”) chemistry. We have designed your Denago eBike battery to retain most of its original charge even after hundreds and hundreds of recharges. However, every battery has a limited lifespan. At some point, it will be time to replace your eBike battery to restore its original range and performance. Please do not throw the battery in the trash
However, as with any consumer product, "low environmental impact" doesn't mean that bikes still need to be assembled, packaged and shipped, and are typically made of cardboard, plastic, Styrofoam and printed paper. You can reduce your environmental impact by reusing and recycling the packaging that protects your new e-bike during transport. Let's take a look at some creative ideas.
ITEMS YOU CAN REUSE
DONATE TOOLS
If your eBike comes with tools that you no longer need after assembly, consider donating them. We got this idea from Jordan at Bike Labs, a Denago dealer in Mansfield, Texas. Since they assemble a lot of bikes, there are quite a few duplicate tools in their shop.
By donating to a local cycling organization, they stay out of the landfill and help others who need them.
CABLE TIES
Cable ties can be incredibly useful by cutting them as close to the “clamp” mechanism as possible to preserve their length. Cable ties can then be set aside for:
Organize bundles of cables under your computer or stereo.
Make emergency repairs to clothing or gear along the road or trail. Throw a few in your toolbox.
Keep your workshop clean and tidy – for example, you can use cable ties to hold bundles of loose spokes together.
CARDBOARD
Don't forget the most obvious reuse of the outer box - reshipping your eBike in the future, as the box and styrofoam inserts are made specifically for your make/model, so having them on hand if you plan on shipping your bike in the future might be a good idea.
Inside the larger outer box you will also find several smaller brown cardboard boxes that can easily be used for sending birthday presents or storing Christmas decorations in the attic or basement.
The entire brown “craft” cardboard can even be used for composting when it is completely used up!
FRONT AXLE SPACERS
If your eBike arrives without a front wheel, the dropouts (the place where the wheel axle ultimately fits) are protected with a black plastic "dummy axle" - don't throw it away after you've fitted the front wheel, otherwise you'll ever need to ship your bike again.
BRAKE BLEEDING BLOCKS
When no wheel is mounted on an e-bike, we want to avoid the brake pads being compressed too tightly, requiring the rider to manually pull them back - a problem. A plastic brake bleed block is used to prevent this, the block prevents the brake pads from moving too far.
Many riders use these when travelling with their bike, for example when removing the front wheel to store their eBike in the trunk of a car, so hold on to them.
STYROFOAM
Since Styrofoam is not easily recycled, you should reuse it whenever possible. We've found some creative uses when you break it down into smaller pieces, including:
Drainage material for potted plants
Pack peanuts protectively
Stuffing pillows or repairing stuffed animals
ITEMS YOU CAN RECYCLE
CARDBOARD
Your eBike has been packaged both inside and out with cardboard, which can be recycled in almost any municipality. If your city or town uses a black bin for garbage (landfill) and a blue bin for recycling, you can almost certainly throw all the cardboard in the paper bin.
plastic bags
Most plastic bags are recyclable – look for the symbol printed on the bag.
PAPER PRINTING MATERIAL
Some customers like to use digital/PDF versions of quick start guides and user manuals. If you don't plan on using the paper versions, throw them in the trash too.
If you need to read it again in the future, get a digital copy from the Denago download page.
COPPER CLIPS
Some eBike brands and models use large copper staples to close the outer box. If you have the staples, they are also recyclable.
Items that end up in landfill
STYROFOAM
Every Denago eBike comes with some specially shaped polystyrene pieces to protect your eBike during transport. We think it's a good idea to keep these in case you need to ship your eBike again in the future.
If you have exhausted the “reuse” ideas above, throw it in the trash if necessary.
What about e-bike batteries?
Most high-quality eBike batteries use lithium-ion (“Li-Ion”) chemistry. We have designed your Denago eBike battery to retain most of its original charge even after hundreds and hundreds of recharges. However, every battery has a limited lifespan. At some point, it will be time to replace your eBike battery to restore its original range and performance. Please do not throw the battery in the trash