our conscious journey
We are committed to using our business as a force for good by taking responsibility for our impact on our planet, people and with our products. We’re not there yet, but we are learning and taking action to reduce our impact. By being transparent about our journey and conscious choices, we want to create positive change and hope to inspire others to do the same.
Our practices will keep evolving as we learn more. we will update this page every time we have news to share, so keep an eye on us.
Looking to make a more responsible choice? Search for our Conscious Choice logo on our website! At by-bar, we define a product as a Conscious Choice when at least 50% of its main fabric composition comes from more responsible sources with a proven lower impact.
our commitments
Reducing our impact by growing the use of certified low-impact materials
Mapping out our entire supply chain, to be as transparent as possible
Making sure our full supply chain is in line with our social and environmental standards
Measuring and reducing our carbon footprint, to decrease our impact on the environment
Being more circular to keep our items in play for as long as possible
Giving back to the world by donating to charity, projects and communities
“we are committed to minimising our impact, by making conscious choices and by offering high-quality styles for a wardrobe that will last.”
our milestones
We initiated the use of the transparency platform tex.tracer, a tool that will assist us in mapping out our supply chain, enhancing our transparency efforts. Our ultimate goal is to equip all by-bar products with an on-product qr-code.
Our unique antic styles are made of 100% upcycled cotton, which we already offer for over 10 years.
In 2022, we donated around 45,000 euro to charity, including donations to organisations like Quiet Breda, the local food bank, and aid efforts for refugees from Ukraine.
We transitioned to renewable energy sources in our warehouse, resulting in a 35% decrease in our co2 emissions.
In 2023, we introduced our code of conduct, which is signed by all our tier 1 suppliers.
We implemented a new “picking system” for our direct and online orders, which saves a lot of paper.
Last year, we introduced our fiber index, aimed at assisting our design and production team in making more responsible choices.
Since 2023, by-bar is a mission-led company, prioritising responsible practices.
Since the beginning of this year, we have established a dedicated sustainability team solely committed to realising our sustainability objectives.
In 2023, we successfully reduced scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 35% compared to 2022. Our focus now shifts to addressing scope 3 emissions, where the most significant impact is made, despite being indirectly influenced by us. Looking ahead to 2025, we aim to measure scope 3 emissions on product level, guiding our reduction targets in alignment with the science-based targets initiative (sbti). this underscores our commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability.
All our suppliers have pledged to adhere to our restricted substances list, following reach guidelines to exclude harmful chemicals. We conduct tests on select products for added assurance. This list is updated annually to align with the latest standards, prioritising the well-being of the environment and the people behind our clothing production.
Recognising denim's environmental impact, we're committed to minimising our footprint. Most of our denim products already have a low environmental impact measurement (eim) score through jeanologia software. By 2025, we aim for 100% low impact scores on all denim items. Jeanologia evaluates denim wash processes for workers' health, water and energy usage, and chemical use.
We have replaced traditional shipping boxes with snug paper bags, reducing packaging weight and promoting reusability. All our poly bags are reused within our warehouse, and once they have fulfilled their purpose, we ensure responsible recycling through our trusted waste partner.
We prioritise boat and truck shipping over air transport to keep our CO2 emissions low. By 2025, we will set specific co2 reduction targets and develop more responsible transport and travel policies. Currently, all orders from Portugal, Italy and Turkey are shipped by truck, and steps are being taken to minimise air transport for orders from India.
Building trusted relationships is key to our growth and sustainability efforts. We have worked with most of our suppliers and partners since the very beginning. We visit them regularly to collaborate on creating beautiful, high-quality, and more responsible products.
Ensuring good working conditions throughout our supply chain is paramount to us. Presently, 80% of our partners meet third-party standards like sedex, bsci, sa8000, ics, and fair wear. We are actively working with the remaining partners to improve their practices. We believe in growing together to make a lasting positive impact.
Transparency is crucial to our sustainability goals. We are excited to partner with tex.tracer, who developed a transparency platform that will assist us in mapping out our supply chain, enhancing our transparency efforts. By 2024, we aim to map 100% of our tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers, including their subcontractors. Our ultimate goal is to equip all by-bar items with a qr code, enabling customers to trace their journey.
Ensuring good working conditions throughout our value chain is a top priority. All our tier 1 suppliers have signed our code of conduct, committing to upholding our social and environmental standards.
As a company founded by women, we take immense pride in our commitment to advancing equality and empowering women. Our goal is to cultivate a culture of feminine strength among all the women we collaborate with and serve.
Every season we launch a well-balanced collection of high-quality items, conscious-made that are designed to last. We create beautiful, timeless items that you can enjoy for years to come.
Our current spring summer collection comprises 40% lower-impact materials, with a commitment to increasing this percentage annually. By 2025, we aim to reach 50% lower-impact materials, ultimately striving for 100% usage by 2030. These materials are categorised in our fiber index.
68% of our current spring summer collection is crafted from mono-materials, offering better resource use for textile-to-textile recycling in a circular system.
We acknowledge the environmental impact of leather and partner with an lwg gold standard-certified tannery. The leather working group (lwg) aims to enhance transparency and sustainability in leather production. Leather, known for its durability and natural beauty, embodies our commitment to long-lasting by-bar items.
We are actively exploring relevant circular business models for by-bar, focusing on increased responsibility for product maintenance, reuse, repair, and recycling.
Empowering our customers to make more responsible choices is important for us. Look for our brand logo, indicating items crafted from at least 50% low-impact materials or produced using eco-friendly manufacturing methods, as per our fiber index.
“we want to inspire and empower every woman to do what she loves most, by designing beautifully designed and conscious-made contemporary collections that bring her confidence and joy. by doing so, we hope to encourage her to join us on our journey, to build a wardrobe that will last and to be a force for good in the world.”
our purpose
Our purpose is to make a positive impact on the planet, build meaningful partnerships, and offering high-quality, conscious-made products that will last. Our conscious journey focuses on three pillars: planet, people, and product. We aim not only to meet but exceed industry standards, advancing towards a more sustainable future together.
By continuously evolving our practices, reaching milestones, and engaging with our community, we seek to inspire a broader movement towards more responsible consumption. Our conscious journey is an ongoing process of learning and adaptation, aimed at leaving a lasting legacy, where fashion not only reflects style but also a commitment to our planet and its people. We are still learning and evolving our practices, it's a continious never-ending journey.
More to come…