What is Green Shape?

Green Shape is a seal of quality used by VAUDE for VAUDE-products, which are produced in an exceptionally environmentally friendly and ressource saving way.

What makes Green Shape stand out?

The Green Shape System reviews the entire life circle of a product. It starts with the design: here it is important that the product is durable and repairable. Green Shape criteria also play a huge role in the developement of a product, in that it makes sure, that the only sustainable materials and technologie comes to use. The production it carried out environmentally friendly und within fair working conditions. The latter is being monitored by the Fair Wear Foundation. The care of Green Shape products has been designed in environmentally terms, as this should be energy saving and carried out without chemical purifictaion as well. The end of life of these products is strictly regulated according to ecological requirements: the product must be possible to dispose without special care or should be recycable.

The Green Shape criteria
All Green Shape criteria are based on the bluesign® system to certificate textiles. Furthermore, the Green Shape delevoled further criteria for additional materials such as foams, metals and other plastics, used during the manufacturing of outdoor equipment like backpacks and tents. The use of fluorcarbone in Green Shape products is generally forbidden (within the bluesign® system it is allowed under strict conditions). The use of critical materials (e. g. PVC, solvent-containing prints) and technologies (nanotechnology, genetic engineering) are prhibited in the production of Green Shape products.
Before a product is awarded the Green Shape label the following sunstainability-criteria must be reviewed:

Exclusion criteria

• genetic engineering
• PVC
• PTFE
• nanotechnology
• treatment (chlorine- und hypochlorid containing bleach, PFC-DWR)

Certificated environmentally friendly mertials

• Selection of material suppliers according to ecological certifications (bluesign® systempartner, Made in Germany)
• certificated materials (bluesign® approved, GOTS)
• natural materials (recycled materials, organic cotton)

Certificated environmentally friendly components

• Selection of material suppliers according to ecological certifications (bluesign® systempartner, Made in Germany)
• certificated materials (bluesign® approved, natural materials, recycled parts, undyed)

Environmentally friendly product care

• it is possible to wash the product by low temperatures (below 30°C)
• no dry cleaning
• no tumble dryer neccessary (only neccessary to reactivate the DWR)

Monitoring

The compliance with the strict Green Shape criteria are being monitored by the VAUDE CSR Team (CSR = Corporate Social Responsibility).

Conclusion

Green Shape is a standard charcterized by comprehensive and strict requirements. It guarantees sustainable products for retailers and consumers.