Trekitt : A Greener Choice

PFAS is the abbreviation for per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, a large group of 'perpetual chemicals' (formerly known as PFCs, but this phrase is now thought obsolete as it's less precise). PFAS are used in countless products in our everyday lives - from frying pans to textiles, fire extinguishing agents to cosmetics, pesticides, electrical appliances and coated packaging. In the outdoor industry, PFAS in impregnating agents ensure that products such as clothing, backpacks, sleeping bags, tents and shoes are extremely effective and durable in repelling dirt, water and oil. They are also used in the manufacture of PTFE membranes.

These persistent substances accumulate in the bodies of humans and animals and have carcinogenic and reprotoxic properties. PFAS can be found even in the most remote areas of the world. Once released into the environment, all PFAS are very difficult to remove.

The industry is increasingly working on producing impregnations and membranes without PFAS that are comparably waterproof, dirt-repellent and durable.

Biocides serve critical roles in various finishes, acting as disinfectants, wood preservatives, anti-mosquito agents, and textile enhancers. Within our product line, we primarily utilise biocides in items such as mosquito repellent garments and odour-reducing clothing. They effectively combat harmful organisms (e.g. animal pests, algae, moulds, and bacteria).

However, alongside their benefits, biocides present several drawbacks. These include potential allergic reactions, disruption of the skin's essential bacterial balance, and the emergence of resistance among pathogens. Consequently, products containing biocides cannot be considered "A Greener Choice".

This concerns the evaluation of political and economic country risks, but above all, human rights violations and corruption. The following information sources can be used for assessment: Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories (NCCT), Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the EU list of current sanctions, embargo or sanction lists of the United Nations or the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

We typically focus on Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index (CPI). If a product is manufactured in a country classified as high-risk according to these sources, it is not eligible for "A Greener Choice".

This plasticiser, classified by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) as a "substance of very high concern" has a hormonally altering effect and impairs our ability to reproduce.

BPAs are mainly found as plasticisers in drinking bottles or the inner coating of food packaging (such as plastic containers, cans or tins). BPA can dissolve on contact with food and can therefore be ingested with food.

BPA can also be used in the manufacture of flame retardants, fungicides, polyester or PVC production and thus enter the environment and the food cycle.

Flame retardants reduce the flammability of objects and thus delay the development of fires. They are used, for example, in the housings of electronic devices, circuit boards and cables, but occasionally also in tents and sleeping bags.

In addition to the positive properties of fire protection, there are also a number of problems. The use of flame retardants is associated with developmental delays, obesity, thyroid disease and cancer. They are highly persistent and can accumulate in the environment. In the event of fire, they cause fire by-products such as highly toxic dioxin.

PVC can be found in camping furniture, floor coverings, vinyl records, food packaging and often in toys. In our field, PVC can be used as bag material, boats or for ponchos. PVC is durable and inexpensive.

The problems with so-called soft PVC include the plasticisers and other additives that endanger the environment or can enter the body via saliva, skin contact or the respiratory tract. The recycling of PVC is problematic due to the many additives. Dioxins can be produced during incineration. Complex filter systems are required and turn the substrate into hazardous waste.

Improper use of uncoated food packaging, aluminium grill trays or dishes and pots can transfer aluminium ions to food. If possible, they should not come into contact with acidic or salty foods. In healthy adults, however, most of the aluminium ingested is excreted via the kidneys. The transfer of aluminium to food can be significantly avoided by using hard-anodised aluminium, for example.

Clear links with certain diseases due to the accumulation of aluminium from various sources in the body and the effects on health have not been proven with certainty. However, there is currently no aluminium limit value in the EU for tableware, cooking pots and similar utensils that come into contact with food (release limit value).

Oxybenzone absorbs or reflects the sun's harmful UV light and is therefore used as a UV filter in sunscreen and other cosmetics. However, there is a risk that oxybenzone can cross the placental barrier in pregnant women and thus cause damage to the embryo.

They can also damage coral reefs and, in high concentrations, lead to coral bleaching or coral death. The corals can survive the bleaching, but it promotes their death.

Disposable items cannot be a greener choice.

They are synonymous with wasting raw materials and energy. And above all, in most cases there is a more environmentally friendly reusable alternative. Whether it's plastic bottles, paper cups or plastic cutlery, the mountain of waste is growing; on land and in the oceans of our world... If an item is ready for the bin after a single use, it can't be "A Greener Choice".

Tritium is used as a component of the luminous paint for luminous dials, displays or luminous pendants.

Most of the radioactive radiation from the tritium is absorbed by the housing and the glass. Beta rays have a very short range. If possible, however, low-level radiation should also be avoided, e.g. in production or in the case of defective products.

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) focuses on the traceability of certified organic fibers (mainly cotton, but also certified wool and silk). It is one of the most trustworthy and holistic sustainability certifications in the industry. It covers the processing, production, packaging, labeling, trade, and distribution of all textiles that consist of at least 70% certified organic natural fibers. Textiles must meet environmental and social standards.

Responsible Down Standard (RDS)
The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) is an independent global standard that was developed with the participation of animal welfare organizations and industry representatives. Down is only RDS-certified if the entire supply chain passes a third-party audit that ensures that holistic animal welfare is maintained from hatching to slaughter - including no live plucking or force-feeding.

Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)
The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) is a voluntary standard that addresses the welfare of sheep and the land on which they graze. The aim of the Responsible Wool Standard is to provide the industry with a tool to recognize the sustainable practices of farmers. The aim is to ensure that the wool comes from farms that take a progressive approach to managing their land, consider the welfare of the sheep holistically and comply with animal welfare criteria.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
The FSC is a global non-profit organization that ensures that companies that use wood from an FSC-certified forest comply with its standards along the entire supply chain. The FSC has three different seals: FSC 100% (entirely from FSC-certified, well-managed forests), FSC Recycled (everything comes from recycled material) and FSC Mix (the product comes from FSC-certified forests, recycled material or controlled wood).

Preferred Fiber and Material Matrix
The Preferred Fiber and Material Matrix is a tool used by Textile Exchange to compare materials within a category on the basis of various indicators such as soil health, climate impact or biodiversity.

Global Recycled Standard (GRS)
The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) was developed to meet the demand for verification of the percentage of recycled parts or ingredients in a given product. The GRS provides a track-and-trace certification system that ensures that claims made about a product are backed up with documented evidence.

Preferred Fiber and Material Matrix
The Preferred Fiber and Material Matrix is a tool used by Textile Exchange to compare materials within a category based on various indicators such as soil health, climate impact, or biodiversity.

ZDHC
The ZDHC is a group of clothing and footwear brands and retailers working together to lead the industry towards the long-term elimination of chemicals of concern. The ZDHC was founded in 2011 in response to the Greenpeace DeTox campaign.

Source: own text

Bluesign
The aim of the bluesign PRODUCT seal is to reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry. It also stands for the safe production and processing of synthetic and natural fibers. Products that have been at least 90 percent processed in certified factories may bear the bluesign PRODUCT seal.

Terracare
The German tannery Heinen, which supplies hiking boot brands such as Hanwag and Meindl, is a pioneer in the production of high-quality, sustainable leather for the outdoor sector. The company is best known for its terracare label, the leading ingredient brand for leather produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. The hides for this come almost exclusively from Germany, whereby the origin is 100% traceable via app. Heinen only uses REACH-certified auxiliary materials, recycles almost all production waste, has a process water treatment plant and only uses renewable energy.

Leather Working Group
In 2005, stakeholders from industry, trade, NGOs and scientific institutes joined forces and founded the Leather Working Group (LWG). Today, with over 2000 stakeholders in around 60 countries, the initiative is probably the most important monitoring body and driving force behind a sustainable and transparent leather industry. It develops environmental and social standards for various aspects of production and offers a certification program in which leather manufacturers and processors can have their processes and operating procedures assessed. Seals are awarded in the gold, silver and bronze categories - for environmental and social standards as well as for transparency and traceability.

Cradle to Cradle
The Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Standard focuses on the circularity of products. It considers a product on the basis of five categories: Material Health, Materials Reuse, Renewable Energy and Carbon Management, Water Management, and Social Sustainability. A product receives a performance level in each category (basic, bronze, silver, gold, or platinum). The overall product label corresponds to the category with the lowest level.

Fair Labor Association
The FLA is a multi-stakeholder initiative of universities, NGOs, and companies that evaluates social practices and monitors their implementation in the supply chain. The FLA Code of Conduct for Workplaces sets standards for decent working conditions in factories and on farms. The FLA Principles for Fair Labor Practices and Responsible Sourcing and Production define key business practices to ensure safe and sustainable supply chains. All FLA standards are based on the ILO core conventions and internationally recognized labor practices. Member companies commit to complying with these principles in their business practices and supply chains.

Fair Trade
The aim of Fairtrade is to improve trading conditions for disadvantaged agricultural producers and workers in developing countries by enabling them to benefit from fair prices and long-term trading relationships. Fairtrade certification requires producers, traders, and companies to meet social, environmental, and economic standards. Certification is carried out by FLOCERT and a number of national Fairtrade organizations. The umbrella organization FLO e.V. develops the criteria for fair trade, on the basis of which the seal is awarded, while national member organizations such as TransFair e.V. market the seal.

Fair Wear Foundation
The Fair Wear Foundation focuses on the social side of sustainability and supports the conditions for workers in the respective factories. The organization works independently and focuses particularly on working conditions in clothing factories.