We have set ourselves ambitious goals to reduce our climate impact. We know that around 70% of our corporate carbon footprint is made up of the emissions generated by our products. And the only way to minimize it is by making circular products.
We contribute by re-thinking our role in the lifetime of the products we design. We are going beyond a company that carefully chooses materials and suppliers, and produces and sells high-quality, technical products, and evolving into one that makes them repairable, offers services to extend their lifetime and if possible, offers solutions for the end of life of components and products, when they are no longer repairable.
RECYCLED MATERIAL
We are gradually increasing the amount of recycled materials in our products. For example, our Sarner jackets, made entirely in Italy, are made from used wool jumpers, which an Italian company converts into yarn. This saves not just raw materials, but also waste. And still looks good.
100% Recycled Packaging
We are careful not to use virgin material in our packaging. Our boxes are FSC-certified and made from 100% recycled cardboard. Our polybags, which protect clothes from moisture and dirt, are made of 100% recycled low-density polyethylene (plastic) as well.
NATURAL MATERIALS
WOOL
Wool from Tyrolean sheep
Origin and animal welfare usually do not play a major role on the global wool market. Often there is a lack of transparency. This is why we want to rely increasingly on Tirolean wool. The reason is that supply contracts with local producers enable us to maintain much better control of the animal breeding.
The “Brillenschaf” & Shepherd’s Hut
German for “spectacled sheep“, is the oldest sheep breed in South Tyrol. Their felt is white, their ears halfway black, and around the eyes they wear dark circles, like spectacles, hence the name. Until a couple of years ago, the breed was almost extinct. The people of Val di Funes, South Tyrol, however, fought with great passion for the protection of their four-legged neighbours. Salewa has been purchasing the precious wool of the spectacled sheep for the TirolWool product line.
Between May and September, the sheep live in the high mountain regions. Over the last decades, the main alp of the valley fell more and more into ruin. Yet, the shepherds and voluntary helpers have put it on themselves, to build a new and more modern mountain hut. Salewa has been sponsoring the project with financial donations and donations in time (helping the set-up and the dismantling of the fences to protect the sheep from wolves).
No mulesing for Salewa wool
All of our wool suppliers undertake to avoid mulesing, a practice which causes pain to the animals. In this technique, the skin around the sheep’s tail is removed without any anaesthesia in order to prevent infestation by fly larvae (myiasis). The highly controversial method is seen as cruel and unnecessary by animal rights campaigners.
DOWN
Down is a true wonder of nature: from one tiny core, approximately two million small branches extend radially in all directions. This means that, while maintaining minimum weight, down is able to occupy a great deal of space and trap a large amount of warm air. Its great asset is that even after tight compression, e.g. in a stuff sack, it expands to its original volume. Its comfort for the wearer and insulating capacity are unique.
The problem with down is that the birds are frequently maltreated during the harvesting of the material. We have therefore decided to produce our down jackets and sleeping bags only with high-quality down from ethical sources. To be sure of this, we exclusively purchase down that is certified in accordance with the guidelines of the Responsible Down Standard. RDS is currently the most comprehensive animal welfare standard worldwide.
Drafting the RDS involved contributions from various interest groups. In particular, it has input from suppliers, farmers, animal welfare organizations and industry experts. The standard is independent, defines unmistakeable requirements and is based on regular checks and inspections, which are conducted without prior notice.
