Haglöfs’ sustainability work is made more visible
Being aware and taking responsibility have been words of honor at Haglöfs for a long time. Topics such as environmental impact, working conditions and human rights are parameters in Haglöfs’ day-to-day operations. Developing high-quality products that have a long life span is naturally a first step, but Haglöfs’ sustainability work goes much farther than that.
Haglöfs’ vision is to position its brand as the leader within Technical Outdoor and Sustainability on all key markets in the world. Much of this work is an ongoing process that consists of constant improvements, one step at a time. During 2013, Haglöfs formulated new, more aggressive sustainability goals that will apply through 2015.
- 50% of all Clothing products sold will be made from recycled material.
- 80% of all Clothing products sold will be bluesign® products i.e. made from material approved by bluesign®.
- 50% of all Hardware products sold will be made from bluesign®-approved and/or recycled material.
- 40% of all Footwear products sold will be made from recycled materials.
Take Care symbol
Haglöfs has currently taken quite large strides towards its vision, and a large portion of the company’s products has been marked with Haglöfs’ Take Care symbol for Fall/Winter 2014. This symbol serves as a guide for people who are looking for the Haglöfs products that have come the farthest. In order for a Haglöfs product to carry the Take Care symbol, it must live up to at least one of the following criteria:
- Be a bluesign® product.
- Made from recycled material (50 percent or more).
- Made from organic cotton.
In Haglöfs’ Clothing collection for Fall/Winter 2014, more than 60 percent of its products will be carrying the Take Care symbol when they reach the stores. The goal is for this number to gradually and steadily increase.
Sustainable product development
Haglöfs’ goal is to limit the environmental impact of its products. Therefore, when developing each new product, the company searches for materials that are produced with as little negative impact on the environment as possible. In order to become a new supplier to Haglöfs, it is today more or less a requirement to be a bluesign® system partner. Another important step in this process is to increase the portion of recycled material in the products. Several of Haglöfs’ product lines are currently based around recycled polyester.
For functional materials, it is in many cases necessary to use chemicals in order to, for example, make them waterproof or water-resistant while at the same time breathable – properties that many outdoor enthusiasts demand. However, this does not prevent Haglöfs from continuously questioning and trying to think outside the box. For a number of product lines that do not need to be completely waterproof, Haglöfs has instead chosen to make them water resistant with an impregnation (DWR) that does not have fluorocarbons.
Far-reaching responsibility
Another important aspect of the sustainability work is to make sure that people who are working for Haglöfs’ manufacturers are working under acceptable conditions. Two years ago Haglöfs joined Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) – an international independent verification initiative dedicated to improving the working conditions and salaries of workers in the clothing industry all over the world. When Haglöfs is negotiating new production agreements, its first choice is always manufacturers that meet Haglöfs’ and FWF’s Code of Labor Practices. As a direct result of its work with FWF, Haglöfs has also decided to eliminate production in countries that cannot guarantee reasonable working conditions.
Text and images are available at www.haglofs.com/press
For more information please contact:
Sara Skogsberg Cuadras
PR & Media Manager
+ 46 8 584 400 14
sara.skogsberg-cuadras@haglofs.se
Lennart Ekberg
Director of Sustainability
+46 8 584 906 72
lennart.ekberg@haglofs.se
Haglöfs develops clothing, footwear and hardware for people who invest in an active outdoor lifestyle. From small-scale backpack manufacturing in 1914, Haglöfs has developed into one of the world’s leading suppliers of technical and sustainable outdoor products by means of modern product development and strategic distribution. The Haglöfs brand is primarily marketed to 25 European and Asian markets and the company employs some 200 people. Sales for 2013 amounted to SEK 724.5 million. Haglöfs is owned by ASICS Corporation since 2010. www.haglofs.com
CONTACTS:
PR & Media Manager: Sara Skogsberg Cuadras, sara.skogsberg-cuadras@haglofs.se
Tags:
