Use comes first
Choose something people will use again and again. Purpose, quality and lifespan guide the brief.
SUSTAINABILITY & PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE
Thoughtful choices.
Clearer evidence.
A product people keep begins with a good idea. And with choices about materials, origin and production. We help you ask the right questions and find the options that fit your brand.
Explore the explainers ↓10 topics · 5 languages · practical product knowledge
Better choices.
FROM AMBITION TO A CONCRETE PRODUCT
What makes it
a considered choice?
There is no single material that is right for every brief. We start with the purpose, then examine the options and the information behind them.
Materials with a story
Recycled, organic or certified: we check what a claim actually covers and which evidence is available.
Consider the whole product
Decoration, packaging and delivery matter too. We include them when comparing the options.
DESIGN, MATERIAL & MAKING
An idea takes shape.
So do the choices.
Material & construction
We discuss function, material composition and expected use. A sample helps assess feel, finish and suitability.
Decoration & finishing
Print, embroidery, engraving or a custom shape: the technique must suit the material and the design. We check how the chosen process affects product documentation.
Packaging & delivery
We discuss the protection a product needs, the use of packaging materials and the delivery plan. These choices are part of the brief.
THE KNOWLEDGE LIBRARY
What is behind
the label?
Understand material standards, traceability technologies and supporting initiatives. These illustrated product explainers make the differences easier to explore.
English first; German, French, Spanish and Italian are also available. This collection is not available in Dutch.
Traceability
Aware™
A physical tracer and digital supply-chain records help reveal a material’s journey. On supported products, a QR code opens the digital product passport.
Organic origin
Organic Content Standard
OCS tracks organically grown material through the supply chain. For textiles, for example, check the certified content and documentation for the selected item.
Download EnglishPDF · 417 KB ↓
Other languages
The diagram labels remain in English in all versions.
DeutschPDF · 422 KB ↓FrançaisPDF · 420 KB ↓EspañolPDF · 420 KB ↓ItalianoPDF · 418 KB ↓
Wood & paper
FSC®
For wood and paper products with verified sourcing. This explainer shows how Chain of Custody tracks materials through the production chain.
Recycled materials
Global Recycled Standard
GRS makes recycled inputs and their supply chain verifiable. For a proposal, we also consider the certification scope and how the finished product is decorated.
Recycled content
Recycled Claim Standard
RCS focuses on verifying and tracing recycled material. It supports a material-content claim; it is not an overall assessment of a product’s environmental impact.
Tested textiles
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100
A standard for textiles tested for harmful substances. We consider which components are covered and how the final decoration is applied for each product.
Plastic with provenance
Prevented Ocean Plastic
Collecting plastic before it reaches the ocean and turning it into new material. This explainer covers collection, processing and origin tracking.
From bottle to fibre
REPREVE®
A material brand that turns post-consumer plastic bottles, among other inputs, into fibres. Applications include bags and textiles; content and use vary by item.
Textiles & traceability
Waste2Wear
Turns plastic waste into textiles and uses digital records to trace the material journey. On participating products, a QR code can make that journey visible.
Download EnglishPDF · 476 KB ↓
Other languages
The French source contains an unrelated introduction about wood and paper. Refer to the English version for the correct explanation.
DeutschPDF · 279 KB ↓FrançaisPDF · 279 KB ↓EspañolPDF · 279 KB ↓ItalianoPDF · 277 KB ↓
Supporting forests
Trees for All
Selected products support forest projects through a share of sales. This is a contribution programme; it does not automatically make a product carbon neutral. Figures in this source are historical.
The PDFs include some historical figures. We verify current applicability when discussing your product.
LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN
Your idea starts
a good conversation.
A clear brief or just a first thought? We will help you explore the possibilities.