With love for Our Planet is our own sustainability label that will help customers make a more sustainable purchasing choice. A product must meet at least one of our proposed sustainability criteria with an accompanying official label to fall within this selection.
With love for Our Planet:
a sustainable selection, highly recommended by A.S.Adventure
Our responsibility
As a retailer aware of the ecological impact of production and consumption, we have a clear mission:
To urge our brands to develop sustainable products.
To make it as easy as possible for our customers to choose sustainable alternatives.
After all, being more aware of how we produce, distribute, and buy is a collective responsibility for producers, distributors, A.S.Adventure itself as an organisation, and everyone who is a customer of ours.
Which criteria do we use?
The sustainability criteria used for ‘With love for our planet’ are grouped in four domains that require constant attention:
- More sustainable materials
- More sustainable production
- Ethically responsibe
- Commitment to the planet
Divided over these 4 domains, every product must comply with at least one of the proposed sustainable criteria, with its own official label or a third-party label, in order to get our With love for Our Planet approval. For example, the use of sustainable materials such as hemp and sustainable wool. Or products that support charities or actively invest in reforestation. And of course, we also take a closer look at the characteristics on a regular basis and adjust where necessary.
A guide to our criteria and official labels
Check below which criteria we prioritise and which official seals of approval we use.
1.1. Removal of harmful chemicals
Harmful chemicals are often used in textile and clothing production, but it is better to remove these chemicals than use them. The labels below distinguish the products that remove these harmful substances. A healthy body, with healthy gear, for a healthy outdoor life.
PFC Free
PFC-free clothing does not contain fluorocarbons.
Although PFC chemicals have proven their worth for waterproofing clothing, they are extremely harmful to people and the environment. Not only are they carcinogenic, but they also take a very long time to degrade. And as an outdoor brand, we definitely want to take good care of the Great Outdoors. Our vision is, of course, accompanied by exceptional quality. For example, PFC-free clothing and coatings have been made water-repellent or waterproof in an alternative manner. Bionic Eco Finish is an excellent example of this.
Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals
Do you see this label in the product information?
It means the product does not release harmful substances into nature. For example, the production wastewater is thoroughly filtered to remove certain chemicals. The same applies to production emissions: extra checks are made for air pollution.
Oeko-Tex Made in Green
Made in Green from Oeko-Tex is a traceable product label for all types of textiles (such as clothing and homeware) and leather goods
, including non-textile/leather parts (such as accessories). Items are awarded this label when they have been tested for harmful substances. The label also guarantees that the textile or leather product is manufactured according to sustainable processes, under socially responsible conditions.
1.2. Recycled materials
Anyone operating sustainably takes the preciousness and scarcity of our natural raw materials, energy sources and CO2 emissions into account. As a result, many of our brands use recycled materials such as recycled plastic, cotton and down. We always use 50% recycled material per product as standard. This means we harvest tomorrow’s raw materials ourselves.
Global Recycled Standard
The GRS is an internationally recognised product standard
that sets stringent requirements for third-party certification, from recycled content, chain of custody, social and environmental practices, to chemical restrictions.
Recycled Claim Standard
The RCS is an internationally recognised, Chain of Custody-standard that follows recycled materials through the entire supply chain.
The RCS is intended for products containing at least 5% recycled material. Every step in the production process must be certified: from the recycling itself to the point the product reaches the final retailer. This standard does not further consider the social or environmental aspects of processing and production, quality control or legal compliance.
Repreve
Repreve is a branded fibre made from recycled materials such as plastic bottles.
We actually use this for our own brand, Ayacucho. REPREVE stands for durable, reliable quality.
1.3. Natural fibres
It’s in the title: furthermore, no synthetic pesticides, insecticides or herbicides are involved in the production of natural fibres. They are also created without genetic modification. And don’t forget: organic farming helps maintain the natural ecosystem. So by definition, it is already sustainable. But we strive for the best, so we use a standard of 100% natural fibres per product.
Global Organic Textile Standard
GOTS was created to bring together globally recognised requirements for organic textiles.
From the harvest of raw materials to environmentally and socially responsible production and finally, labelling. Both operators and wholesalers are inspected annually on site. In addition, they must have valid certification to be able to label their end products as meeting the GOTS standard.
Better Cotton Initiatieve
The BCI is a non-profit worldwide organisation with the largest cotton sustainability programme in the world.
They want to make cotton production better for the people who produce it, for the environment in which the fibres grow, and for the future of the entire industry. In summary, the label bundles the three most important sustainability pillars: ecological, social and economic.
1.4 Extra durable fibre (or yarn)
One type of natural fibre is not the same as the other. For example, the production of cotton is very polluting. Wood pulp fibres, hemp or jute, responsible wool and down are much better alternatives for the environment and animals. Some of the labels that use these sustainable fibres are presented in the guide below.
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
FSC promotes environmentally, socially and economically viable forest management around the world.
The certification guarantees biological diversity and quality of life for locals and workers. Tencel, Ecovero or Lyocell can then be extracted as a natural raw wood material (pulp) from these responsibly managed forests and renewable wood sources using environmentally friendly processes with high environmental standards.
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)
PEFC is a worldwide non-profit and NGO; it is committed to promoting sustainable forest management through independent third-party certification.
Tencel, Ecovero or Lyocell can then be extracted as a natural raw wood material (pulp) from these responsibly managed forests and renewable wood sources using environmentally friendly processes with high environmental standards.
Responsible Wool Standard
The Responsible Wool Standard focuses on the welfare of sheep and the land on which they graze.
They offer an extra guarantee that the wool comes from sustainably operating farms that work with respect for animal welfare.
ZQ or ZQRX Natural Fibres
ZQ growers and partners are committed to protecting our environment, animals and the people behind the companies.
All the growers adhere to the requirements laid down in the ZQ Grower Standard.
Nativa
Nativa is the most advanced, 100% traceable and sustainable wool brand in the world.
Nativa wants to bridge the gap between sustainable purchasing standards and the quality and sustainability requirements set by today’s consumers.
Responsible Down Standard
The RDS wants to ensure down and feathers is sourced from animals that have not suffered pain or other damage.
Gold Standard - Leather Working Group
The Leather Working Group is a non-profit world leader in environmental certification for the leather industry.
BLUESIGN
The Bluesign label has established value in our outdoor department.
It is based on powerful principles to come to an ecologically responsible product. Optimised production processes result in fewer raw materials and less waste of energy. Bluesign therefore accepts the huge responsibility for people and the environment. The Bluesign also imposes strict standards to prevent water pollution, a good example of which are efficient wastewater treatment plants.
CO2 emissions are unavoidable in textile production. But Bluesign is also committed to using raw materials and chemicals to purify these emissions. Finally, the label prides itself in providing a good working environment. As such, it guarantees the safety and health of all employees.
Green Button/Gruener Knopf
The Green Button certificate is awarded to companies that produce or market clothing under their own brand
, as long as the clothing is produced in a socio-ecologically responsible manner. They must also be able to prove that they care about human rights and the environment.
Cradle to Cradle
Products that are good for the environment and our health have a good chance of being awarded a Cradle to Cradle certificate.
This involves looking at the chemical composition of the product, the recyclability of the components, and the social responsibility of the production process. Energy and water consumption, as well as the impact on the environment, must also be severely limited in order to obtain such a certificate.
Fair Trade - Textile Standard
The Fair Trade Textile Standard is part of the overarching Fairtrade Textile Program
, which promotes change in the textile supply chain and related business practices. They focus on better wages and working conditions and incentivise brands to commit to fair trade conditions.
World Fair Trade Organisation - Fair Trade Standard
The WFTO is part of the overarching WFTO Guarantee System.
The standard includes the ten principles of fair trade and defines criteria for complying with them. The principles are determined by WFTO members and are based, among other things, on Fair Trade values, International Labour Organisation conventions and human rights.
Fair Wear
Fair Wear wants to encourage the clothing industry to provide safe, decent and well-paid work for its employees.
They mainly focus on the sewing, cutting and trimming processes, which are the most labour-intensive links in the chain. Fair Wear works with 140+ member brands, factories, trade unions, NGOs and governments.
amfori BSCI
Since 2003, amfori BSCI has been helping companies improve the social and sustainable aspect of their supply chain.
The code of conduct has 11 principles, supported by the members, from fair compensation to no child labour.
BSR’s HERProject
BSR’s HERProject is a global partnership that helps improve the conditions of lower-income women in the supply chain.
They bring brands, suppliers and local NGOs together to promote better working conditions for women through interventions in health, financial inclusion and gender equality.
1% for the Planet
Yvon Chouinard (Founder of Patagonia) and Craig Mathews (Founder of Blue Ribbon Flies) founded 1% For The Planet in 2002.
The idea is simple: companies take advantage of the resources provided by the Earth, so they are obliged to help protect those resources in return. Every company involved in 1% For The Planet donates 1% of its annual sales to environmental organisations. As such, they are contributing to a cleaner world for tomorrow, now.
Discover here all the With love for Our Planet’ products
Read more about sustainability
Corporate Social Responsibility at A.S.Adventure
Corporate Social Responsibility means making the best possible choices for people and the environment. From a sustainable product range and the repair of your belongings, to sustainable packaging and CO2 reductions: every link in our company deserves special attention.
Recycle box
You are ready for something new, but you want to avoid making the waste mountain bigger? Maybe you should think about entrusting your beloved gearto the Recycle Boxes in our shops. We upcycle and recycle your old gear so it goes back on the road or is transformed into raw materials for another purpose.
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