Skip to main content
Join Us

Planet

Cause that’s what this is all about. Right?

OUR FOOTPRINTS
OF FAIRNESS.

The steps we take to make change a reality.

We’ve thought in blue since 1962.

With BE PART we mix in green as well. Our biggest dream: a world map in the purest shades of blue & green.

To make change a reality we aim for a green value chain and closed-loop processes.

  • Less carbon
  • A greener production process
  • Better packaging
  • More of a loop

OUR CARBON
PROBLEM.

And how we plan to become climate neutral.

Right now, there are a lot of sustainability buzzwords whirling around. They fill our atmosphere, like carbon, which is unfortunately not a fancy name but a real problem.

Carbon is one of the seven greenhouse-gases (GHGs) that pollutes our environment increasingly. Its emissions are created by the burning of fossil fuels, solid waste, trees and other biological materials. Or to put it into one word: industrialisation.

The alarming effect: GHGs cause massive changes to the global temperature, climate and entire ecosystem. If we don’t act, our plants, oceans, animals, trees and soils will no longer be able to keep up.

So, what do we have to do?

Let’s pick up two buzzwords that are currently on trend: carbon footprint & climate neutral.

A carbon footprint is the total amount of GHGs that are generated by our actions. The global clothing industry is the second biggest polluter, and is responsible for about 10% of annual carbon emissions. And - let’s face it - we are part of it.

Climate positive is the finish line of a journey on which companies like us reduce their carbon footprint step-by-step; due to Science-Based Targets (SBT). Here is what it looks like:

In 2021, we managed to finalise our `measurement` (2019 Status quo), identify where we mess up and evaluate our carbon footprint for the very first time. Step 01: Done.

OUR BIGGEST
POLLUTERS.

And our four goals for the future.

In 2021, we took measures. We were aware that we have to find our weak spots to make a stronger `less carbon improvement` in the future.

Here are our three biggest polluters:

Our products & their production process
Our inbound logistics
Our packaging

89%

of our total GHG emissions

5%

of our total GHG emissions

2%

of our total GHG emissions

So, what’s next?

In 2022, we want to focus on four goals:

  • Still follow our zero air freight target (that we didn’t reach in 2021)
  • Define Science-Based Targets
  • Invest in off-setting projects
  • Find even more reduction areas

Our goal for 2022 is to reduce our GHG emissions and to invest in off-setting projects to become carbon neutral in Scope 1 and 2.

OUR GREEN
PRODUCTION.

Or at least where we are actually at.

We talked about our own carbon footprint, but there are way more traces in the sand. All actors in our supply chain have an effect on our planet.

We want to understand which environmental issues have the greatest impact on our business and how our partners manage them. Again, it’s maximum transparency that we are seeking.

The primary goal; make our whole production a green one. And by whole we really mean it, with a closed loop, renewable energies, the re-use of water etc. Here is our roadmap; together with amfori BEPI with steps that are planned to leave green traces only.

01 
EVALUATE
02 
FIND WEAK SPOTS
03 
IMPROVE THEM
 
  • Self-assessment to improve awareness and education on environmental impact
  • Engage data collection of environmental footprint
 
 
  • Identify room for improvement
  • Regular checks via BEPI assessments
  • Benchmarking via supplier Scorecard - results are shared with each supplier
 
 
  • Request more sustainable production methods
  • Engage in local programs to support factories to improve their footprint:
    1. Identify best industry standard programme 
    2. Become member of relevant initiatives / programs
 

 

OUR BETTER
PACKAGING.

Unwrap the progress behind it.

There are two approaches on better packaging: 1) reduce and 2) recycle. We are currently doing both. We are consequently working on reducing our packaging, and at the same time using recycled poly bags and cartons.

That’s why we introduced 100% recycled paper for our eCom packaging, and will roll out our 100% recycled & recyclable poly bags (post-consumer waste) in early 2022.

But we aren’t done there. You already know it: Sustainability comes in waves, and we are already preparing ourselves for the next ones.

In 2022+, we will keep on researching for biodegradable solutions. Because - let’s face it - 100% recycled poly bags are still plastic bags, and our aim is definitely to reduce their use.

Plus: We plan to change all our cartons (in - and outbound) to a recycled version or, at the very least, a mixed version. This won't happen overnight - but it's on our agenda.

OUR LOVE FOR
CIRCULARITY.

How we want to turn the line into a loop.

Today most products on the market have one shared destiny: they end up as waste. They are designed within a linear lifecycle. Made. Used. Thrown away. One straight line to the dump.

We want to connect both ends of that line, and make a loop out of it. So that there actually is no `end`. Our vision: a circular system that maintains the use of resources, and keeps products in use. To reduce the harmful effects on our planet.

We are still at the very beginning, but there are some first drops causing circular waves that spread concentrically: we are increasing the use of recycled materials and implementing recycled water treatments for our denims. Sure, we are aware that circularity is way more than only using recycled materials. That’s why we’re already planning to create even bigger waves.

 In early 2022, our first circular design workshops are scheduled for our product teams, because the basis of a closed-loop product lifecycle is the knowledge on how to design products for more than just one life.

After we’ve set this important foundation - the sand we want to build on - we will aim at creating a circular capsule, made of materials with processes that are part of a clever backloop system: more sustainable, waste reducing and causing less emissions.

These two actions relate to new products. So what are we planning to do with the `old` ones? Those that are already in your closet, and destined to end up in the dump.

One of our targets for 2022, is to introduce a garment-collecting initiative that gives customers the opportunity to bring back their worn clothes. To really turn the straight line - Made. Used. Thrown away. - into a loop. And to raise awareness on how fashionable recycling can be.

OUR 2022+
GOALS.

How we refine our vision for the future.

Here is what we aim to do in the future:

  • Commit to the Scienced-Based Target initiative (SBTi) and define Scienced-Based Targets
     
  • Carbon Footprint evaluation for 2020 + 2021 for Scope 1-3
     
  • Reduce carbon emissions by, for example following our zero air freight policy, amd increasing our share of materials with a lower environmental footprint etc.
     
  • Identify more reduction areas and participate in off-setting programs
     
  • Roll-out 100% recycled poly bags in early 2022
     
  • Launch our `garment collection initiative` in our own stores

Let’s stop
drowning.

In the wide sea of promises.


And actually turn them into deeds. For all people. For waves of progress. For our planet.

If you want to keep on reading before you surface, you can find our Full Sustainability Report here.

free ride to top