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.

The durability of products is a question of honour for us. It fills us with pride when mountaineers use Salewa products for as long as possible, ideally their entire lives.

 

Does your Salewa product need servicing?

Is your product damaged or are you looking for specific care instructions? Visit any Salewa Store, Mountain Shop or Salewa retailer where specialist staff can check your product and advise you on what options are available. Then you can decide which is best for you. We look forward to helping you.

 

Circular Experience - Give products a longer life

The most important step in reducing environmental impact is to leave the old ‘take, make and dispose thinking’ and move towards a circular business model. This means, for example, extending the life of our products, focussing on long-lasting design, using natural, renewable materials, and upcycling and recycling as often as possible. In addition, we’re introducing further circular initiatives in our sustainable business strategy. As part of the drive to go circular, we’re starting three new programmes at our Salewa Store Bozen/Bolzano:

• Repair Service: Salewa apparel, equipment and footwear is built to last. Our expert repair service uses original parts and materials to keep your gear going even longer.
• Second Life: Our Second Life programme offers used, reconditioned and repaired high-quality Salewa clothing, footwear and equipment – refurbished in the Dolomites.

Take care - Act sustainabily

 

Our garments are part of our adventures and experiences. Taking care of them will help them perform better and last longer. Salewa wants to support this. We design our all products for them to be used for as long as possible. This then reduces their impact and contributes to a more sustainable approach.

 

An important aspect of how to best take care of your clothes/products also includes your choice of detergents , washing machine maintenance and how you wash and dry your gear.

 

Laundry has an important impact on the environment in terms of energy consumption and the chemicals used in detergents, which are ultimately released into waste water.

 

How to take care of your garments

 

Salewa Care Instructions

General advice for all types of products:

 

• Always read the care instructions on the label.
• Fill your washing machine to capacity to use less energy. Moreover, this means the fabrics protect each other during the spin cycle.
• Empty all pockets, close all zippers and Velcro straps, loosen any drawcords.
• Treat stains and heavy dirt first (use neutral laundry soap, there’s no need to use bleach or chemicals).
• Wash similar colours/products together. There is no need to use colour catchers.
• Use only the required amount of detergent. Avoid using more than you need to.
• Wash at lower temperatures whenever possible – it’s better both for your clothes and energy consumption.
• Make sure all detergent is rinsed out and that there is no residue left on your garments.
• Air drying is best. Tumble dryers are generally not great for the majority of fabrics.
• Dry your clothes inside out to prevent the colour fading if exposed to direct sunlight. In general, it’s better for fabrics to dry in the shade.
• How clean is your washing machine? Clean it to remove detergent residues and clean the filters etc.
• Use guppy bags for synthetic or high synthetic content garments to trap microplastics and avoid release into waste water.
• And remember, it’s best not to dry things over a fire or heater. Fabrics can melt or burn even at a considerable distance.

Second Life
 

Salewa Second Life - Reborn for new adventures

Every used item has a story to tell, shaped by moments that made it unique, and by the journeys of those who wore it with care. Salewa Second Life gives new life to your used gear so that someone else can embark on new adventures, while also minimizing waste, an important step towards a circular economy. The longer a product stays in use, the lower its ecological footprint.

Salewa buys your used gear

We buy your used Salewa gear in exchange for a discount voucher, which can be used to purchase a new Salewa product. The voucher’s value will be determined by the condition of the returned product. Bring your item to one of the participating stores, once there we will assess it, regenerate it, and make it available to new mountain enthusiasts.
You can find Second Life items at the Salewa Store in Bolzano (IT). Help us reduce our impact on nature - “give a Second Life.

The collection service is available at:

• SALEWA STORE BOLZANO
• SALEWA STORE MILANO
• SALEWA STORE ORIO CENTER
• SALEWA STORE VERONA
• SALEWA STORE PADOVA
• SALEWA STORE TORINO
• SALEWA STORE MÜNCHEN
• SALEWA STORE GRAZ
• SALEWA OUTLET MONTEBELLUNA
• SALEWA OUTLET ASCHHEIM
• SALEWA OUTLET CASTEL GUELFO
• SALEWA OUTLET ENNA
• SALEWA OUTLET FRANCIACORTA
• SALEWA OUTLET HUMA
• SALEWA OUTLET MANTOVA
• SALEWA OUTLET METZINGEN
• SALEWA OUTLET PALMANOVA
• SALEWA OUTLET PARNDORF
• SALEWA OUTLET RADOLFZELL
• SALEWA OUTLET SCALO MILANO
• SALEWA OUTLET SERRAVALLE
• SALEWA OUTLET TORINO
• SALEWA OUTLET VALDICHIANA
• SALEWA OUTLET VALMONTONE
• SALEWA OUTLET VERONA
• SALEWA OUTLET VILLACH
• SALEWA OUTLET ZEIBRRÜCKEN

 

NB

1. Products must be clean and in good condition. For hygiene reasons, we cannot accept underwear, and for safety reasons, we cannot accept technical equipment.
2. The discount voucher is valid only at the store where it was issued.

Simon Gietl

 

“This jacket accompanied me on solo winter crossings, I wonder what other great adventures it will experience with its new owner!”


Thomas Friedrich

 

“During X-Alps 2023, I wore this sweatshirt… Now I hope someone else will take it flying again!”


Eline Le Menestrel

 

“I had this down jacket the first time I climbed the Comici route. Who will be the next to take it to the top?”

Net Zero

We contribute to minimizing the effects of the climate crisis, in line with climate science, by aiming to halve our direct and indirect value chain emissions by 2030 and accomplish net zero emissions by the year 2050. To do so, it is necessary to find out where we stand and set science-based targets, develop effective projects and measures, and drive and implement them. And of course, report on our progress.

Mesure impact

• Measure carbon footprint and report progress keeping in mind latest standards and definitions
• sensitize product development in cicrcular design and production

 

Reduction targets

• In line with Paris Agreement and Climate Neutral by 2030
• Products & Process geared toward Circularity
• Factories best in class, social & enviromental
• Data, Tools and Systems in place to support targets

Reduction meausers

• Adopt circular design guidelines in product development & production and scale up
• Invest in efficient energy at our own operations & at our partners’

 

Reduce

• Invest in less impactful production processes & materials
• Increase recycling
• Source from efficient partners

 

Remove

Offset the non-avoidable emission by investment in projects that guarantee a long-term GHG-sequestration