Wastewater from textile manufacturing is currently the focus of the Greenpeace Detox Campaign. Greenpeace has accused the textile industry (and thus also VAUDE) of being responsible for polluting China’s waters with dangerous chemicals.
There, toxic waste and toxic wastewater cause serious health problems in the local population. In addition, toxic substances spread throughout the planet via the global waterways.
Wastewater is an important environmental aspect for VAUDE because it is generated in many upstream processes required for the manufacturing of VAUDE products. In some cases, wastewater even has to be classified as potentially harmful to the environment and health.
In the VAUDE Greenpeace Detox Commitment, we have made a commitment to preventing any release of harmful chemicals into the environment.
To achieve this, we have decided on a whole package of measures:
- Full supply chain transparency (material suppliers and manufacturers) – can be downloaded here
- A binding Manufacturing Restricted Substance List (MRSL) which regulates strict limits or usage bans of critical substances within the entire production process as well as finished goods – (find it here)
- Testing all discharge of hazardous chemicals based on this MRSL and publishing these test results – (read more here)
- Close cooperation with suppliers and industry leaders, as well as training, capacity building and auditing of supply chain partners
In a pilot project, we are currently conducting an environmental management system at various suppliers. Read more here.
Most of our fabric suppliers work in accordance with the bluesign® System. For VAUDE, this is an important component of our Environmental Management System.
Our production facility in Tettnang-Obereisenbach does not require process water and industrial wastewater is not produced. The only wastewater at this site comes from sanitary facilities and the laboratory where waterproofing tests are carried out. Read more here.
