The production of clothing requires natural resources such as water and energy. At the same time, chemicals are used in manufacturing to provide product characteristics such as functionality or protective properties, but these may also have an impact on the environment. In addition, large quantities of textile waste are generated worldwide, for example during production or from unsold goods. This makes it all the more important to use resources responsibly, avoid waste and give greater consideration to circularity.
We are therefore working to reduce our environmental impacts step by step. This applies both to our own operations in Germany and to our collaboration with production partners throughout the value chain. Our approach includes the efficient use of resources, high product quality, minimal packaging material and a systematic data foundation across the supply chain.
DURABILITY AND CORE PRODUCT RANGE
Product durability is an important lever for us. The longer an item is used, the less frequently it needs to be replaced. This helps conserve resources throughout its life cycle. That is why we focus on robust materials, functionality and timeless design from the product development stage onwards.
Our core range of never-out-of-stock items accounts for around 98 percent of our workwear offering and is continuously available. This reduces the risk of textile waste arising from unsold goods. In addition to this core range, we launch new seasonal products twice a year as well as occasional limited small-batch collections. These are sold through our online shop until they are sold out, which also helps reduce remaining stock.
COMMITMENT IN OUR SUPPLY CHAIN
A significant proportion of the environmental impacts associated with clothing arises in the upstream stages of the value chain. We therefore work with our production partners to use resources efficiently, reduce environmental impacts and systematically collect relevant environmental data. In doing so, we consider a range of environmental aspects throughout the supply chain—from climate protection and chemicals management to water and waste. By continuously improving our data collection, we aim to identify opportunities for improvement at an early stage and, in future, to measure and manage our impact on a more informed basis. Compliance with our specified standards and requirements (see the Strauss Code of Conduct) is mandatory for our production partners. We monitor their implementation through regular supplier surveys and on-site audits.
Water is an important resource in textile production: large quantities are required, particularly for so-called wet processes such as dyeing, washing and bleaching. At the same time, water is an essential resource for ecosystems, business and society, and it is coming under increasing pressure in many regions. Together with our production partners, we therefore focus on these process stages in order to give greater consideration to water use in operational decision-making. Several of our production partners operate their own water-treatment facilities and use water-saving methods in their dyeing and finishing processes.
Waste avoidance also begins in the supply chain, for example in relation to production waste or packaging materials. In line with our contractual requirements, our production partners are obliged to separate waste properly, store it safely and ensure that it is recovered or disposed of appropriately through authorised waste-management channels.
We also aim to use resources carefully and purposefully when packaging products. For example, the plastic bag used to package some of our products protects them from moisture and dirt during transport. We use such packaging only where it is necessary to protect the product. Less sensitive items, such as trousers, are packaged with a paper band rather than plastic film.
Further information on our climate protection activities and our approach to chemicals can be found on the Climate Protection and Product Safety pages.
COMMITMENT AT OUR SITES
We also seek to use resources responsibly at our own sites in Germany. At our headquarters in Biebergemünd, rainwater tanks contribute to the efficient use of water. They supply non-potable water to the office buildings. The collected rainwater is used, among other things, for toilets and for watering green spaces, helping to reduce the use of potable water.
When it comes to transport packaging, our focus is on reducing material use and avoiding waste. Cardboard boxes are the packaging type most commonly used for our goods shipments. We continually review our packaging solutions with the aim of reducing material use and packaging waste.
Where suitable for safe transport, we ship consignments containing only a few or small items in small cardboard boxes or paper mailing bags. When selecting our packaging materials, we consider, among other aspects, material efficiency and the potential for separate collection after use.
A carefully designed packing system helps us limit the use of filling materials required to protect products. Where protective material is necessary, for example for fragile items, we use paper cushioning pads made from paper waste generated at our site.
The separate collection of paper, cardboard and other packaging materials forms part of our operational processes. Paper and cardboard generated at our sites are prepared for collection by commissioned waste-management companies using a fully automated cardboard baler.