The choices we make in product design matter more than ever. The environmental crises of our time are likely some of the most important issues to solve for the living and near-future generations. It is simple in theory. We need to cut down our resource consumption enormously. In practice, though, this is harder. There are many concepts that claim to play into this agenda and be part of future solutions but it can be difficult to know which of them actually moves us closer to our goal.
Low Impact Materials vs. Longevity
How much can be saved by low impact materials and how much does durability matter?
We are making products out of resource-heavy materials and our products are hard to recycle. Why do we still think that this is the least damaging possible for the planet?
We don’t make fast fashion. Our products are not made for looking fancy for the party on Friday and then getting discarded in favour of the next new trendy thing.
We don’t pursue the newest trendy fibre. Our strict focus is to create long-lasting, durable products that can withstand tough conditions and hard work. The more times you can use your clothes, the fewer are needed. That’s what is really saving the resources.
Alexander Mygind Andersen, CEO Viking Rubber
The Environmental Trade-offs of Durable Production
Our products are made to last long. We are using resource-heavy materials – not because we are scouting for the materials with the highest environmental footprints, but because we, as Alexander Mygind Andersen, our CEO, says, “We scout for materials that make our products last as long as possible.”
This has some drawbacks when it comes to resource intensity in the production of them. We are using a lot of synthetic materials, such as Nylon and Polyester. These materials come from petroleum from the ground. It is being pumped up. After they have served in our products, they will end their days going into the atmosphere as CO2, contributing to the warming of the planet. This is because our products are hard to recycle. We are mixing materials, making pockets, D-rings, membranes, buttons and Velcro.
Environmental Cost Per Use
When we do it anyway, it is because we think that the upsides more than match the drawbacks. The upsides are durability and longevity. That the product has a long life is the single most important thing. This is supported by data from what is likely the most comprehensive study on textiles in Sweden.
“If each garment is used twice as many times before disposal, almost half the impact is mitigated – prolonging the active life of clothing requires manufacturers and retailers to make and market more durable garments, and it also requires users to buy fewer of them.”
Mistra Future Fashion, 2019 “Environmental assessment of Swedish clothing consumption”
This is what we are trying to do. We are not trying to save some extra % by changing to lower impact materials if it means that we lose the longevity of our products. This is because we care about the environmental cost per use. The impact on the planet is divided by the number of uses.
This is standard in environmental evaluations, not comparing a product to another product directly, but through its function. It’s about assessing the impact of fulfilling a need. If our product meets that need more effectively and for longer, that means that less products are needed to meet the need.
Functional Workwear Is Better for Planet and Profit
But making long lasting products is not only about durability – it is about making a truly great product. Many products are getting replaced before they are worn out, just because they are not functional.
Products can also be replaced simply because it is the cheaper solution: In our line of work, the function of the product is what determines if a rope climber is wasting 30 minutes of work time going down and adjusting to temperature before climbing up again and being ready to work. It doesn’t take many trips down and up to make it more profitable to buy better gear.
In the pursuit of sustainability, the importance of high-quality, durable products cannot be overstated. At Viking Rubber, we take pride in crafting items that stand the test of time. While our materials may carry a higher resource footprint from the production, the long-lasting products means a smaller impact per time used. Our workwear is not designed for fleeting trends or temporary glamour – it’s created for durability in tough conditions. Our commitment to using robust materials is a deliberate choice to ensure that our products have a lasting impact. This makes sense for the planet, but also for the budget.
Investing in products that last means saving you money and reducing your environmental footprint – sometimes it even saves you time.