SUSTAINABILITY.
SUSTAINABILITY.
Sustainability is not something that we do; it is
what we are. It's in our nature. Caring for people, for the planet is something that we do every
day, since the very beginning of our company. And every day we want to do better, for ourselves, for
others and therefore for future generations. Our goal is to be 100% circular by 2035.
MANIFESTO.
Call it a purpose, a mission or even a compulsion. Whatever words you choose, it’s a real thing. Caring for others and the environment, caring for the earth that nurtures us, the air we breathe and the water that helps us flourish. We’re not perfect, but we’re all responsible and we all have a part to play. Some small, some big. It’s in everything we do and always has been. We create products where beauty meets sustainability. And right now, it’s more important than ever. Why? Because there’s no longer a choice between profit or planet. We’re entering a period in time where all of us have the chance to make a difference. With every action we take, with every decision we make. That’s why we’re choosing to leave the next generation a legacy, not a mess. We’re making the move to 100% circular design by 2035. How about you?
Official B Corp certification for Brabantia from March 2023. B Corps (an abbreviation of 'Benefit Corporations') are companies recognised for their positive impact on people and the environment. This certification is an incredible recognition and is in line with our goal of moving towards 100% circular design by 2035.
For decades, Brabantia has been helping people separate waste, keep food fresh for longer and dry laundry naturally. Now, we want to do even better: 100% circular design by 2035. And that means 100% material health, 100% clean wastewater, 100% renewable energy, 100% recycled production waste, 100% recycled/biobased materials and 100% recyclable products. We’re really going for it!
OUR SIX PILLARS TO 100% CIRCULAR DESIGN:
We want the materials we use during production, processing and use to be as safe as possible for people and the environment. Safer than legally required, even. According to the law, we are already on 100% safe material, but according to our own standards we scored 98% in 2022.
In our work, we try to use as little energy as possible, and we want the energy we use to be 100% renewable. By installing more solar panels, like at our new head office, and choosing suppliers of sustainable energy, that goal is getting closer and closer – 70% in 2022.
We want our wastewater to be so clean that it can be processed into drinking water. This year we have kept our target of 100%.
In 2022 too, approximately 92% of our waste is reused. But we want to recycle all the wood, plastic, metal, water, paper and cotton waste from our production. How? Through smarter waste separation and by working with our suppliers to prevent waste.
This is one of the hardest goals to reach, but we keep on making steps towards achieving it. Many of our plastic and metal parts are already partly made from recycled material. Like our StepUp pedal bin, made of 91% household plastic.
Our products are already 94% recyclable, of which 60% can be used to make new high-quality products. We won’t rest until we reach the full 100%!
MORE CRADLE TO CRADLE® CERTIFICATION.
The StepUp Pedal Bins and the Sort & Go Waste Bins were Cradle to Cradle® certified at silver level in 2021. More than 1,000 of our other products already have the Cradle to Cradle® certificate at bronze level. Now, 74% of the products we produce ourselves (and 45% of our total range) are Cradle to Cradle® Certified at bronze or silver level. This, too, fits our goal of 100% circular design by 2035.
ABOUT CRADLE TO CRADLE®
Cradle to Cradle® means that it is possible to reuse every raw material and material used for a product endlessly – without losing value. You can recognise products by the special Cradle to Cradle® certification. Products are assessed on five components: Safe materials, Reuse of materials, Clean air and climate protection, Water and soil management and Social responsibility. The main goal of Cradle to Cradle® design is a constant cycle of raw materials and thus the prevention of waste. There are five levels of certification.
The certificates are reviewed every two years. In order to maintain the high C2C score, we have to keep making our products more sustainable. It forces us to continue to keep pushing for more sustainability and circularity in our products
MATERIAL HEALTH.
Ensuring materials are safe for humans and the environment.
WATER & SOIL STEWARDSHIP.
Safeguarding clean water and healthy soils.
SOCIAL FAIRNESS.
Respecting human rights and contributing to a fair and equitable society.
CLEAN AIR & CLIMATE PROTECTION.
Protecting clean air, promoting renewable energy, and reducing harmful emissions.
PRODUCT CIRCULARITY.
Enabling a circular economy through regenerative products and process design.
100% RECYCLED, 100% RECYCLABLE.
Brabantia already scores 33% on use of recycled material in 2021 - 94% of the material of our products can be recycled after use to make new products.
A beautiful example: The NewIcon Pedal Bin 30 litres in Matt Steel is made of 68% recycled material (37% household waste and 31% industrial waste). Already 99.9% of this model can be reused.
STEPUP. THE NEXT STEP IN RECYCLING.
STEPUP. THE NEXT STEP IN RECYCLING.
The new StepUp Pedal Bins are made from and for recycled waste. First, they have a click-on label holder and free labels to set up your own personal recycling system. They’re affordable and space-saving too, so you can easily put two or three of them together. And after use, they are 99% recyclable. And their production is also pretty green: they are made from 91% household waste. No wonder these bins are Cradle to Cradle® Certified at silver level.
A BRIGHT FUTURE.
The StepUp collection is made to last. In addition, we offer a 10-year warranty. If something is broken, we will provide a replacement part or a replacement product. This way, the StepUp lasts even longer. A bin for the future.
Made with 100% Fairtrade Cotton.
At Brabantia, we are committed to making a positive difference for people and planet. That is why we took the next step: all of the cotton in the New Dawn Ironing Board Cover is Fairtrade certified, traded, audited and sourced from Fairtrade producers. The strict Fairtrade standards are designed to ensure farmers and workers are all safe, have good working conditions and are treated fairly – especially those in Asia, Africa and Latin-America. As well as protecting the environment where Fairtrade cotton is grown. Choosing Fairtrade cotton for our ironing board covers is yet another step towards a fairer, more sustainable, eco-friendly and ethical world.
And by buying (an ironing board with) this cover, you are helping too! Let’s choose today for a fair tomorrow!
A sustainable home: B.HOME.
In 2021, the construction of our new, sustainable head office ‘B.Home’ on the Leenderweg in Valkenswaard started. It’s on historic ground, as this is where our factory used to be. During the construction of the new building, the foundation of the old factory was reused. And that is just one example of the circularity and sustainability of our new home. There are many more, because the office is designed according to BREEAM principles. For example, the skeleton of the building is entirely made of wood and can easily be disassembled and reused.
On the roof, you will find sedum and a whopping 222 solar panels.
Around the building we will grow our own ‘Tiny Forest’ and we collect rainwater as much as possible.
Some of the wall covering inside is made of recycled old army uniforms. The lamps are made from old
CDs, the chairs from recycled PET bottles and the walls are painted with Fairf. This paint is made
from plant material and therefore contributes to lowering the CO2 level. So B.Home is not just an
office, but living proof of our desire to live and work sustainably.
BRABANTIA AND WEFOREST.
Brabantia has been working with WeForest since 2014. As part of the successful Love Nature campaign, more than 2.8 million trees have been planted in the Amhara and Desa’a regions of Ethiopia and Burkina Faso.
The trees keep the fertile soil in place by sheltering the soil during heavy rainfall, they provide employment and will feed people, because WeForest also plants fruit and wood trees on farms
MORE SUSTAINABLE TOGETHER.
Drying your laundry outside instead of in the dryer. Throwing away less food. Bringing your own lunch. Separating waste. And choosing good products made from honest, recycled materials. All those small adjustments by all people add up to make a big difference for the planet.
Drying naturally.
Drying laundry on a rotary dryer or drying rack is good
for the planet and for your wallet. You save on electricity and your clothes stay beautiful longer.
And did you know that the wind helps to remove creases? So natural drying also means less
ironing.
Separating waste in style.
Separating waste? Do it in style with our smart
products. From handy waste bins with 1, 2 or 3 inner bins to countertop trays and stackable waste
bins to set up your own recycling station with: we offer an extensive range to make separating waste
more beautiful, pleasant and sustainable.