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VAUDE – working to make (y)our world a better place: « Outdoor competence « Innovation « Responsibility for people and planet « Enterprise as family « Ecological intelligence

„Our goal: To become objectively Europe´smost sustainable Outdoor company by 2015“ – Dr. Antje von Dewitz, CEO

values

and mission

This is what VAUDE stands for: innovative and highly functional products, and responsibility for people and nature.

Our goal to become Europe´s (and then world´s) most sustainable outdoor company is ambitious. Especially making this objectively – which means measureable and transparent, and accredited by independant 3rd party experts.

We know our role as an eco trend setter within the outdoor sector, and we take on the challenges it brings.

values and mission

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vaude

ecosystem

VAUDE works to make (y)our world a better place – holistically and systematically.

The VAUDE sustainability strategy is called „VAUDE ecosystem“. The VAUDE ecosystem describes everything VAUDE does to increase eco and social sustainability. It includes the entire life cycle of VAUDE products,but it also includes our decisions as a company.

Green Shape is the VAUDE quality seal for products manufactured environmentally friendly.

vaude ecosystem

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vaude

ecosystem

The VAUDE ecosystem is based on the VAUDE CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) philosophy. It includes the entire life cycle of VAUDE products, but it also includes our decisions as a company. « Green materials & Technologies« Clean Production« Sustainable Use & Service« Responsible End of Product Life« Renewable Energy & Emissions« Business & Biodiversity« Eco Partners & Networks« Social Responsibility

The entire VAUDE ecosystem is tied into the VAUDE Environmental Management System, which is audited annually by an independant expert according to EMAS and ISO14001.

vaude ecosystem

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Green Shape is the VAUDE quality seal for products manufactured environmentally friendly.

VAUDE has the strictest criteria for eco products of the entire outdoor industry: Green Shape products have to consist of at least 90% „green“ materials (organic cotton, recycled polyester or polyamid, Tencel, hemp), or have to be dyed with the eco friendly VAUDE eColour technology, or comply with the world´s most stringent textile standard for environment, health and safety: bluesign®.

bluesign® approved & Eco Claim

Eco Claim bluesign® approved

bluesign® product & Eco Claimbluesign® product

OTHER PRODUCTS

“ON THE WAY”

green materials

and technologies

The Green Shape Pyramide is the VAUDE own evaluation tool for products with an eco benefit: Transparency instead of Greenwashing!

The pyramide combines eco friendly materials (like bluesign® approved fabric, organic cotton, Recycled Materials, Tencel) and clean production technologies (like bluesign® product, VAUDE ecolour) into one evaluation system.

The entire VAUDE collection Summer 2012 includes 43.5% Green Shape products. 73% of the apparel collection and 21% of the hard goods collection is Green Shape!

green materials

and technologies

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recycled

materials

« Green Shape Products consists of at least 90% recycled materials.

ReCy

Cled

mAT

eRIA

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ReCyCled mATeRIAls

« Polyester (PES) – fabrics or PET bottles« Polyamid (PA)

« 100% savings of virgin fossil materials (oil) « Reduction of waste « 50% less CO2 emissions« 30% to 50% energy saved in manufacturing process

recycled materials

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organic

cotton

« Green Shape Products consists of at least 90% organic cotton.

ORGA

NIC

COTT

ON

ORGANIC COTTON

Conventional cotton production accounts for the use of 25% of all insecticides and 11% of all pesticides in the world, although only covering 2.4% of the world‘s cultivated land use (Pestizids-Aktions-Netzwerk e.V. PAN).

That´s why we use Organic Cotton:

« Eliminate the use of chemical pesticides and mineral fertilizers « Improve occupational health and safety« Maintain natural soil fertility through crop rotation « Increase degree of self-sufficiency of farmers« No genetic engineering

organic cotton

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tencel

« Green Shape Products consist of at least 90% eco fibres with Tencel.

tencel« Silk-like surface transporting moisture quickly and stopping bacteria growth. « No chemical treatment needed for material functionality « Closed-loop production process is used, reducing emissions to a minimum « Raw material made from eucalyptus wood sourced from sustainable forest plantations, fast growing, no genetic manipulation or artificial irrigation « The solvent solution is non-toxic, and is recycled for further use as well as process water. The end product is 100% biodegradable.

hemp

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« Green Shape Products consist of at least 90% eco fibres with Hemp.

Hemp cultivation does not require any insecticides or herbicides, and no artificial irrigation.

Hempʼs extremely deep roots loosen even compacted soil. Its lush growth shadows arid soils and prevents these from desiccating even more. Hemp prepares low-grade soils for a later use for food crops.

Hemp is perfectly suitable for functional clothing.

hemp

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vaude ecolour

« Green Shape Products can be dyed with VAUDE ECOLOUR Technology.

VAUd

e eC

OlOU

R

VAUde eCOlOUR

vaude ecolourAn eco-friendly dyeing process in which the color pigment is added during the spinning process

« 50% less CO2 emissions« 90% water saved« 63% less chemicals needed

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VAUDE has many products which are more ecological than regular, butdon’t automatically fulfill Green Shape criteria:

« We call products with less than 90% organic cotton or recycled materials “on the way”. Of course, anything is better than nothing, but they don’t count for Green Shape.

« This hydrophilic, non-porous membrane is extremely flexible, very thin and extremely windproof and waterproof. It is 100% PTFE-free, made from recycled polyester such as PET bottles, and biodegrades without producing toxic wastes. The Sympatex membrane is blue sign® approved. A high performance eco membrane alone, however, doesn’t make a Green Shape product. In order to be Green Shape, the outer material must also be bluesign® approved or made from recycled materials.

better but not

green shape

better but not green shapeCocona: An antibacterial performance textile made from coconut shells with activated carbon particles that absorbs sweat and distributes it over a large surface area. No chemical finishing treatments are necessary (i.e. nano silver), but the percentage of activated carbon particles spun into the polyester or polyamide fibers is small overall.

PVC free: The problem with PVC is that it contains phthalate plasticizers that prevent the material from becoming brittle. Phthalates are suspected of causing cancer. Our PVC-free claim means that these products are manufactured with absolutely no PVC. For example: Hot Couture Fashion Bags. Same waterproofness, but eco-friendly material.

Made in Germany: Produced in our own production facilities in Obereisenbach, Germany.

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bluesign® is the most stringent textile standard for environment, health and safety worldwide. All environmental aspects of production are monito-red and minimized: material, energy, water, waste water, air emissions, noise, waste, handling potential dangerous sustances. With the bluesign® Standard, VAUDE manufactures high performance, top of the line products with minimal environmental impact.

clean

production

clean productionbluesign® has two levels of environmentally friendly products:

bluesign® approved fabric: At least 90% share of the area of the textile fabric are bluesign® approved, including the inner and outer layers, and any printings. The remaining 10% must not have permanent direct skin contact, and must meet the criteria and limits of the restricted sustance list approved by bluesign®.

bluesign® product: At least 95% share of the area of the textile fabric are bluesign® approved, including the inner and outer layers, and any printings. The remaining 5% must not have permanent direct skin contact, and must meet the criteria andlimits of the restricted substance list approved by bluesign®. In addition, at least 30 % of all further parts of the product have to be bluesign® approved (zips, buttons, tapes, etc).

Green Shape products can be manufactured according to either level.

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Did you know: almost 50% of the product carbon footprint originate during the phase you use the product ? At VAUDE, we do not have much influence on the stage of product use while it is with the end consumer, outdoors in nature, on his way into the mountains, or at home washing his gear. What we can do: inform and educate – for example on our website.

sustainable product

use and service

Product guarantee & longevity:VAUDE products stay funcional and nice a long time before you need a new one. VAUDE guarantees for apparel for two years, for all other equipment three years. Product care & repair:Outdoor products have to put up with a lot: sweat, mud... No way around washing, but as „green“ as possible: low washing temperatures and as little detergent as possible and no dryer. We recommend Nikwax care products.

How responsible am I outdoors?Everyone enjoying the outdoors should ask what he/she personally can contribute to a cleaner planet.

Electronics & batteries:With the solar powered chargers of VAUDE you can charge your electronic devices outdoors with renewable energy. Batteries belong into special waste disposal, not into nature.

Mobility:Go outdoors! Preferably by train or bike. It is worth each try to avoid going by car, or at least join into one car together. This also applies to our dailyway to work! VAUDE staff bikes a total of 25,000 kilometers to work eachsummer since 2009. More fun – less CO2.

sustainable product use and service

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What happens to a VAUDE product after use? « 1994: Founding of ECOLOG Recycling Network by VAUDE as responsible End of Product Life solution that made us a forerunner in the outdoor branch’s “Green” revolution. « Way ahead of any “Green” times… « 2007: too little products came back – end of project. « New goal: business solution to “End of Product Life” for the entire Outdoor industry

responsible end

oF product liFe

End of product life does belong to the life cycle of any product.

VAUDE has been responsible for this issue for a long time, and today leads the industry activities towards a common solution within the oudoor industry.

responsible end oF product liFe

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VAUDE supports WWF Germany: 1% of revenues from the VAUDE Green Shape collection directly flow into WWF projects for children and youth. Official outfitter of the German Alpine Association (DAV) which actively supports ecologically compatible mountain sports. We actively support education bringing children closer to nature through our partnership with the German National Association for Nature and Forest Kindergartens.

eco

partners

eco partnersWe can not do everything ourselves. We are a business, not an environmental protection agency. Especially we do not have much influence on the stage of product use while it is with the end consumer – but here, over 50% of the product climate footprint originate!

WWF, DAV and BvNW are our most important partners for environmentaleducation of end consumers.

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VAUDE is Founding investor of the reforesting initiative BaumInvest (Costa Rica) Member of German Association for Environmentally Friendly Management e.V. (B.A.U.M. e.V.) Board member of the international Nature Conservation Initiative EOCA Board member of German CSR Forum Board member of EOG Sustainability Working Group, developing sustainable business solutions for the outdoor industry

networks

Sustainability is a global team sport – this is why VAUDE is involved inseveral expert networks. Here we gain valuable input and feedback to our activities.

networks

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Biodiversity – why do we care? Nature is the „playground“ for our customers‘ outdoor activities. Of course we care! We utilize materials provided by nature in our products – e.g. fibres, colours – and we develop new materials and technical applications that add new features to fabrics. We sweep in front of our own door and enhance biodiversity on our company premises.

business and

biodiversity

the loss oF biodiversity...…is considered as equally threatening to the planet as the climate change. Every day more than 100 species vanish forever – extinct! Biodiversity means

« Variety of species« Variety of habitats« Genetic variety within the species

VAUDE as a company which produces products made for use in nature, wetake our responsibility for biodiversity very seriously. As one of the very first companies, we took part in the biodiversity check of the EU Business and Biodiversity Campaign. Step by step, we implement different results. Those include planting blooming flower patches and birds houses as well as educating other companies we do business with.

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40% less CO2 emissions 100% of the electricity VAUDE uses in production, logistics, and administration at our headquarters comes from renewable sources. This reduced our corporate carbon footprint by 40%.

One third of all electricity we use at our headquarters is emission-free, regional, and renewable, originating from the company‘s own photovoltaic power system installed on our roof (over 100 tons CO2 emissions avoided annually).

renewable energy

and emissions

renewable energy and emissionsVAUDE has been using 100% renewable energy since 2009. This is an easy and affordable contribution to a cleaner planet each one of us can do at home!

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« Eco Management and Audit Scheme of the European Union designed to help organizations improve their environmental performance « ISO 14001: International Industry Standard for Environmental Management « 2008: VAUDE was the first business in the outdoor industry to successfully complete EMAS and ISO 14001 certification. « Since then: Annual reviewing process and audit carried out by an independent, accredited environmental verifier. « See VAUDE Sustainability report 2011 at www.VAUDE.com

environmental

management

system

Doing the right thing is important, but regular check ups by an independent expert are even better. By the annual EMAS and ISO14001 audits VAUDE getsimportant feedback so that we stay on the right track. The annual VAUDE CSR report is also checked and validated by an accredited EMAS auditor. We transparently report on successes and challenges on our way to become Europeʼs most sustainable outdoor outfitter.

environmental management system

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VAUDE is proud of its own product range „Made in Germany“. VAUDE is a member of Fair Wear Foundation to ensure worldwide monitoring of labour conditions. At the headquarters in Germany, VAUDE offers a lot to employees to make a work-life-balance easier: « VAUDE Kinderhaus « part time jobs / home offices « biking, climbing, yoga classes « equipment pool « and lot’s more VAUDE has been 3rd party certified in this social area in 2001 and 2004 by the German Audit Familie und Beruf®

social

responsibility

social responsibilityFair Wear Foundation is an independent non profit organisation which has the goal to improve working conditions within textile industries worldwide. It is a multi stakeholder initiative which means that it is governed by differentunions, trade associations, and NGOs.

Our membership in FWF shows how responsible VAUDE is for all people connected to the large VAUDE family – worldwide.

Fair Wear Foundation independantly monitors that all factories comply with international standards for fair labour conditions. They audit the organisational situation at the VAUDE headquarters in Tettnang, as well as the work progress in the production sites – mostly in Asia.

As a member of FWF VAUDE commits to the strict Code of Labour Practices.

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2009 « OutDoor Industry Award Gold category sustainability: sleeping bag „Blue Beech“ (bluesign® product +Tencel) 2010 « B.A.U.M. accredits VAUDE as bike-friendly employer « Utopia community award: most sustainable company 2011 « ISPO Company Ecolution Award + ISPO Eco Award tent „Blue One“ « Award „Best Buy“ Ethical consumer Magazine « Top Brand in Ethical Buyers Guide to Rucksacks « VAUDE has been nominated for the German Sustainability Award 2011, in the category of “Germany’s Most Sustainable Future Strategies” (SME).

reFerences and

acknowledgements

„WORKING TO MAKE (Y)OUR WORLD A BETTER PLACE.“

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