Information: This report is outdated – you can find the current sustainability report here.

 
 
 
 
DE
2013 Sustainability Report

Customers’ responsibility

The degree of a product’s environmentally friendliness also depends on the customer. As a producer, we have little influence over their behavior. But we can provide good information and lead by setting an example.

Usage phase crucial for the climate footprint

We at VAUDE have limited influence on how customers use our products in the outdoors and on their way to the mountains, let alone how they wash their gear at home.

However, the greatest percentage of a piece of outdoor apparel’s climate footprint originates during this usage phase – either directly from washing and drying, or indirectly - from travelling, for example.

We can, however, influence our customers by providing good information and raising their awareness of what they can do - see „Raising awareness with communication on sustainability issues“.

In terms of the resource consumption during the usage phase of a VAUDE product, maintenance plays a vital role. We provide our customers with detailed instructions for product care. These are also sometimes attached directly to the product, for example, on the sewn-in care label or the instructions are included in a booklet that comes with the product.


GRI:   EN4
Energy consumption outside of the organization
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Gentle washing for long life

Wash at 30° C, with as little detergent as possible and without using a dryer, unless this is required to reactivate a product’s waterproofness. This saves energy and extends the functionality and life of the VAUDE product.

We recommend Nikwax products for cleaning and maintenance. They are environmentally friendly because they are water-based, solvent-free and fluorocarbon- free.


Repairing instead of disposal

VAUDE is proud of its high quality and hard-wearing products. They are dependable, day-to-day companions and are manufactured for intensive usage. Many products with minor defects or wear can be easily repaired.

We operate a large customer service and repair department at our Obereisenbach location. Retailers and end customers can send in their products to be repaired.


Behavior in the outdoors

Anyone who works or plays in the outdoors should be asking themselves what they can personally do to help protect the environment. Taking your rubbish along with you, leaving protected plants alone, keeping to designated trails and avoiding disturbing wildlife should be a given for every outdoor enthusiast.


Responsibility in the great outdoors

When participating in outdoor recreation, everyone should pay attention to protecting nature.

VAUDE is setting a good example: in our own mountain sports courses and with the support of our partners who communicate about environmentally friendly behavior in the outdoors - such as the WWF Germany, German Alpine Club (DAV) and the Association of Nature and Forest kindergartens.


Charging your mobile phone on the go

These days, nobody wishes to do without their electronic devices, even in the mountains. GPS, mobile phones and cameras are standards of modern outdoor equipment, not only for personal comfort, but for more safety in “the wild” as well.


With VAUDE’s mobile solar chargers, you can recharge batteries using renewable sun energy. When they are used up, batteries should be disposed of with hazardous waste – they do not belong in the environment.


VAUDE Solar Charger

You can recharge the batteries of electronic devices with solar energy while on the go.

Mobility - how do we get to the mountains?

Get outdoors – naturally! Your eco-friendliest option – by bike or train.


Always ask yourself whether you can get something done without using the car – or by carpooling (such as with www.flinc.org). It pays off. It not only saves resources, it is also more fun. Of course, this includes the daily commute to work as well. See also „44,335 km of bike commuting“.