This means we meet high standards for social and environmental impact across five key areas: governance, environment, workers, customers, and community. Additionally, it reflects our commitment to using business as a force for good. Being a B Corp is a milestone we are very proud of, but it is certainly not the end goal. It provides our team and our partners with a shared purpose and motivation to continually improve.

by-bar’s commitment to reducing our environmental footprint starts with measurement. Each year, we track our Scope 1 and 2 emissions, covering direct emissions from our office, stores, and business travel. To offset these emissions, we invest in a Climate Neutral Group project and have made additional improvements, such as switching to renewable energy for our warehouse.

Our roadmap includes plans to measure our Scope 3 emissions, our main challenge, at both total and product levels. Scope 3 covers emissions outside our direct control, primarily from our supply chain. In preparation, we are already taking meaningful steps to reduce these emissions, such as reducing air shipments, increasing our use of low impact materials, and implementing low-impact packaging.

Since the beginning of 2024, we partnered with Tex.tracer, a transparency platform that enables us to map the entire journey of our products, from cotton field to the final item, working closely with our suppliers at each stage. Starting next summer (2025), many of our products will feature a QR code, allowing you to trace their journey. This approach lets us share our transparency efforts and gives you an inside look into each product's story.

We are committed to ethical and responsible production at every stage of our supply chain. We work only with suppliers who meet our social and environmental standards, with all partners signing our Code of Conduct for fair working conditions. Larger suppliers undergo third-party audits by organisations like Sedex or BSCI, while smaller suppliers complete our self-assessment. Tex.tracer enhances transparency, helping us monitor compliance closely and drive continuous improvements.

Each season, we set goals to increase our use of low-impact materials, such as recycled, organic, and upcycled fibres. We use a fibre index to identify the most sustainable options, allowing us to make conscious choices that reduce our environmental footprint. Currently, 31% of our collection is made from lower-impact materials, and our upcoming Spring/Summer collection will raise this to 46%. We are committed to increasing this percentage annually.

At by-bar, we measure our Scope 1 and 2 emissions, those are our direct emissions. This includes emissions from our office, brand store, warehouse, and business travel. Our main challenge is measuring Scope 3 emissions, which represent the largest portion of our footprint, especially within our supply chain. To address this, we have set a goal for 2025 to measure our entire Scope 3 emissions. This will enable us to monitor and reduce our impact more effectively.

We are committed to sourcing wool and leather responsibly, with greater transparency through our partnership with Tex.tracer. To enhance our practices, we are increasing the use of certified Responsible Wool in our collections. As of November 2024, we have obtained certifications under the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS), and Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS). While not all our wool products are certified, this step allows us to expand our use of Responsible Wool and ensure a fully certified and traceable supply chain. For leather, we collaborate with certified tanneries and are focused on continually improving our standards in this area.

Yes, we actively support charitable causes. We regularly contributing to social projects and community initiatives that reflect our values, aiming to give back and make a positive impact beyond our business. Over the past two years, we have donated around €45.000 to organisations such as Quiet Breda, the local food bank, and Ukraine relief efforts and to sponsoring a sports club in our hometown. Recently, our team also participated in a SUP Cleanup event in the Breda canals, collecting 75 kilos of waste while paddleboarding.

We believe sustainability is a shared responsibility and encourage our team to engage in our environmental and social goals. Employees participate in projects like clean-up events, sustainable practice workshops, and responsible consumption initiatives. Our sustainability specialists have set goals for each team, ensuring accountability in reducing our collective impact. By fostering a culture of sustainability, we empower our employees to make a positive impact within the company and beyond.

Customers can contribute to sustainability by choosing quality, conscious made clothing and extending each item's life through care, repair, and recycling. At by-bar, we offer tips to make products last. Look for our 'conscious choice' logo online for lower-impact items and use our size guide to reduce returns. When it is time to part with a piece, consider reselling, donating, or passing it on to someone who will enjoy it.  Making conscious choices can make a big impact.