Bama, the Tuscan group bringing green innovation to the world of plastics

Founded in 1980 in a small town in the province of Lucca, the Bama group has become one of Italy's leading manufacturers of plastic articles for the home, the garden and the pets. Today, the company focuses on a sustainable development model, starting with the material with which it makes its lines: durable plastic, 100 per cent recyclable and produced using only certified, non-toxic resins. The group also involves consumers in its commitment to the environment. Through awareness-raising initiatives, it promotes separate waste collection to ensure a new life for discarded products.

Over and above disposable: it's time to rethink how we use plastic
Plastics comprise a class of inexpensive and very versatile materials that we find in many everyday objects today. Its widespread use is not accidental: it makes it possible to produce lightweight, durable products in a wide variety of shapes, characteristics that cannot always be replicated with other materials. However, alongside these benefits there are also critical issues, starting with the enormous amount of waste that is accumulating in the environment. Plastic, in fact, is hardly biodegradable and remains in circulation for thousands of years. But the environmental impact of a plastic object does not only depend on the material itself: it also matters how it is designed, produced, used and finally disposed of.

According to the European Environment Agency, there are three main factors that make plastic less sustainable. The first problem is the unwise use, to make disposable items or superfluous products, such as excessive packaging. Then there is the use of non-recyclable plastics and, finally, the lack of effective systems for collection and recovery.

For the Bama Group, the solution is a circular model where items are designed to be of quality and to last, resisting weather and sunlight. At the end of their life cycle, they are recycled and transformed into new products, extending their value beyond their initial use. This approach reduces the environmental footprint of plastics, avoiding both the emissions required to produce a new item and those generated by disposal, which often takes place through incineration. Direct pollution is also reduced: it is estimated that short-lived products account for about two-thirds of all plastic waste, with packaging alone accounting for almost half (42%).

Bama's green strategy, between technological innovation and recycling culture
Bama's commitment to the environment is not limited to the characteristics of its products, but concerns the entire production chain, starting with the energy that powers it. At the Tuscan factory, the company has installed a 25,000 m² photovoltaic system - an area equivalent to 3.5 football pitches - that covers about 70% of consumption. For the remaining share, it has initiated a programme to gradually increase the purchase of clean energy, aiming to cover its entire needs with renewable sources. This path is certified by the Guarantee of Origin (GO), which ensures its sustainable nature and complete traceability.

Technological innovation is another key element of Bama's green strategy. Every year, plants are upgraded with the purchase of more modern and energy-efficient machinery. Recently, the group replaced four plastic moulding presses with a new model, which guarantees significant resource savings.

The environmental focus also extends to logistics, from the packaging used - all of which is recycled and recyclable - to an automated warehouse that makes internal processes more efficient. The use of dedicated software reduces production waste to a minimum, as well as the unnecessary movement of materials and goods.

After production and distribution, one last challenge remains: ensuring that their products are used and disposed of correctly. In addition to producing fully recyclable items and solutions for household recycling, Bama raises consumer awareness and promotes the culture of recycling through communication and training initiatives. The company pays particular attention to the new generations, to teach them to recognise materials, to sort them in the right way and, more generally, to develop an awareness of environmental issues. Current initiatives include guided factory tours and the recent campaign with the provocative title "It's not plastic. It's you." inviting everyone to play their part in the recycling.