One of the most important factors in Haglöfs’ efforts to limit negative environmental impact is the development of high quality products with a timeless design – products with a long life cycle and which are not of a throwaway nature. Our designers also have to pass sustainability training so that they are better able to create the right products from the very beginning of the design process. But we don't just leave things there.
Our customers demand water-repellent, waterproof and breathable products, and chemicals are essential in achieving these characteristics. We need to maintain full control of the chemicals used in the manufacture and post-production treatment of our products. One of the ways we achieve this is by listing the chemicals we prohibit our suppliers from using in the production of fabrics and accessories. We diligently follow national legislation and REACH, the EU chemicals regulations that maintain strict control of undesirable chemicals.
We have also signed up to bluesign – a voluntary initiative among textile companies that encourages fabric and equipment suppliers to improve their production in order to meet the strict environmental, health and safety standards that bluesign demands. Once the improvements have been implemented, suppliers may sell their fabrics to us as bluesign approved. We then know that the fabrics are produced in accordance with the most stringent environmental certification currently in existence, and that the products are therefore safe for humans and the environment. For further information, please visit www.bluesign.com
We also use Ökotex-certified fabrics in our products; Ökotex is a well-known German textile environmental certification. We use fabrics made from recycled materials in an ever-larger proportion of our products. In our spring/summer garment collection, 22% of all fabrics will be made from recycled raw materials, and 18% will use bluesign-approved fabrics. We aim to gradually increase these proportions.
We continually review our environmental objectives with the aim of constantly improving our efforts in order to reduce our overall environmental impact.
bluesign® is a voluntary initiative for textile manufacturers to improve their production to the highest environmental standard available. When we chose a bluesign certified fabric we are sure that it meets our high demands on function, environment, health and safety. At Haglöfs a product where 90 percent or more is made from bluesign®-certified materials is referred to as a bluesign product. For further information, please visit www.bluesign.com
Many of our fabrics are treated with durable waterrepellent (DWR) to keep you dry, warm and clean for longer. Where it is possible without compromising the high level of functionality of our garments, we use DWR treatments that are free from PFOS and PFOA – causing less impact on the environment.
Spring/Summer 2011, 35 percent of all fabrics is made of recycled or recyclable material. Our ambition is to increase these percentages each year, as we do. At Haglöfs a product where 50 percent or more is made from recycled materials is referred to as recycled.
Anti-odor treatment is a cherished phenomenon in everything from underwear to shoes. At Haglöfs we use Polygiene® Active Odor Control. It is a unique treatment that focuses on inhibiting the growth of bacteria and related odors – not just mask it. This means that you do not have to wash as often, which also saves energy and gives the garment a longer life. For further information, please visit www.polygiene.com