VAUDE Green Shape

How do you decide whether a material, process or product is “environmentally-friendly”? Especially when there are no worldwide standards, no operating evaluation systems, and no international or uniform “certificates” to go by. 

VAUDE is a pioneer in this field and developed its own rating system for environmentally friendly outdoor products in 2010: Green Shape

Green Shape is the VAUDE guarantee for environmentally-friendly products – made from sustainable materials and resource-conserving manufacturing. Our goal is the best for people and nature.

Since the introduction of the Winter Collection 2015/2016, the stricter criteria for VAUDE Green Shape have applied.

Green Shape is explained in just a few minutes in this YouTube film:

VAUDE is now setting even stricter requirements for the evaluation of its Green Shape products. Green Shape is the VAUDE guarantee indicating products that have been manufactured in an environmentally-friendly, resource-conserving manner.

Green Shape involves the entire product life cycle in accordance with even stricter environmental standards – including product design, development, manufacturing, care and recycling after use.

Not only the main fabrics used, but also the production sites must meet the high environmental requirements. What’s more, all additional components such as yarns, zips and press studs must meet the strict Green Shape criteria.

Retailers and consumers have the assurance that the more comprehensive Green Shape approach guarantees environmentally friendly products that do not have a negative impact on people or the environment.  

• Previously, the Green Shape criteria included materials but not the entire production process. This has now changed with the new requirements: the entire product life cycle is examined including design, all materials used, the production facilities, use and maintenance of the product, and potential recycling and/or environmentally-friendly disposal. 
• The bluesign® system certification for textile materials is an essential foundation of Green Shape criteria. However, for the production of backpacks, tents, sleeping bags and shoes we need materials such as metals, foams and other plastics that are out of the scope of bluesign® system. Therefore the Green Shape criteria were expanded to include the use of these additional substances and materials.
  
• The bluesign® system is an important part of the VAUDE Green Shape criteria. But Green Shape goes beyond the bluesign® system: Green Shape products may not, for example, contain fluorocarbons, while bluesign® allows their use under strict conditions. 
  
• The Green Shape guarantee expressly excludes the use of particularly critical materials and technologies such as PVC, fluorocarbons, nanotechnology or solvent-based prints.

Until the Summer Collection 2015, a product was Green Shape :

• when it meets the conditions of a "bluesign® product", or
• when it is dyed with VAUDE ecolour – see VAUDE ecolour – conservative dye process
• when it is made of at least 90 percent environmentally-friendly materials:

    • bluesign® approved fabric
    • organic cotton
    • recycled materials
    • a combination of these with at least 35 percent Tencel ® or hemp 

• The VAUDE Green Shape mountain is our evaluation system for all products up to and including the Summer Collection 2015. The closer a product is to the summit, the greater the benefit for the environment. Products with maximal resource efficiency and certified eco-quality: "bluesign® product". Ideally combined with environmentally friendly raw materials such as recycled polyester.
• For the "Camp 2" stage, our product managers combine environmentally friendly materials with "bluesign® approved fabric" certification.
  
• The "Camp 1" stage is for products that are made from at least 90 percent environmentally friendly materials.
  
• In "Advanced Base Camp" stage, the product offers a true eco-advantage. But this is not enough to meet the Green Shape criteria. For example, a T-shirt made from 70 percent organic cotton: better, but not Green Shape.
  
• At the "Base Camp" stage, we still have our work cut out for us. For many materials and components there just aren't any environmentally friendly alternatives with the same functionality. Research and development is needed so that innovative materials and technologies will become available as soon as possible.
  

* Scope:
These changes will apply from the Winter Collection 2015/16 for all new and revised products with new article numbers. Carry-overs and NOS (never out of stock) products in the Summer Collection 2015 that carry a Green Shape label, must comply with the new Green Shape criteria within three years at the latest.

--- modified 23rd of February 2017 ---