In its comprehensive sustainability strategy, the mountain sports brand SALEWA pursues a consistent social and ecological commitment at all levels. It operates under the umbrella of its parent company, the Oberalp Group, which has now taken on a pioneering role in the mountain sports segment with its forward-looking CSR and environmental projects.
The South Tyrolean brand is now taking another significant step with the conversion of all product packaging: From July 2019, the company will initially ship 60 % of its products in ecologically and regionally produced SALEWA „Grass“ boxes and completely dispenses with the plastic shipping packaging or conventional cardboard packaging used to date.
Packaging concept with regional raw materials, produced locally
The outer layer of the new shipping packaging consists of 40 % from grass,which is obtained from regional sources. The grass comes exclusively from compensatory areas so that there is no competition with animal feed areas. The production of the green box consumes 99 % less water in production than conventional corrugated board.
This means that CO2 emissions can be reduced by half. The packaging concept is holistically sustainable: the boxes are produced by Dinkhauser Kartonagen in Tyrol. The inside of the box is made of FSC-certified cardboard with a High recycling content.
Green outer packaging - a well-rounded concept
The Grassbox is equipped with an integrated return seal for reuse. The entire packaging is
to 100 % recyclable and in this production method a Pure natural material.
In order to give the high-quality contents an appropriate appearance, SALEWA prints the new boxes and provides information on which Benefits for people and nature in it when the plastic bag is no longer in use.
„We have to think long-term. As people and as a company. As a mountain sports brand, we want to consider all areas and do our utmost to fulfil our social and environmental responsibility. We firmly believe in the Grassbox and are proud to now ship our SALEWA products in natural, climate-neutral packaging.“
Stefan Rainer, Brand Manager SALEWA
Sustainability teams in action
The SALEWA Grassbox is just one example of the Oberalp Group's commitment to sustainability with the brands Salewa, Dynafit, Pomoca and Wild Country. The ambitious orientation of the South Tyrolean entrepreneurial family is recognised by the employees and the Sustainability team driven forward.
Since 2012, experts in the areas of labour and human rights, management of chemicals in the product and supply chain, communication, environmental management and sustainable production have been ensuring that internal company decisions and processes comply with the Sustainability requirements correspond.
[infotext icon] Oberalp provides an overview and the status quo in the current Sustainability Report 2018 for download:
http://www.oberalp.com/en/sustainability [/infotext]
Source: Salewa International
