60 %
% energy demand via sustainable energy sources
118,18 t
CO2 eq in tonnes
0.79 kg
CO2 savings per shoe
What we do today determines what the world will look like tomorrow!
We sell our shoes ourselves and can plan our quantities precisely; remaining pairs are offered in our outlet. we use leftover material either for new models or for accessories such as bags or shoehorns. That is important to us.
Discover our sustainability areas
Discover BÄR's commitment to people, the planet and the craftsmanship in our shoes.
Renewable energies
The same climate protection requirements apply to the BÄR brand in India as in Germany. In India, as in Germany, we generate more than 60% of our own energy requirements from renewable sources. A wastewater treatment plant in Ambur (India) provides an impressive 16,000 litres of groundwater per day. This plant also saves energy by eliminating the need to pump water from the well. The absence of harmful chemicals in gardening eliminates soil pollution. In 2020, we were also able to save 81.78 tonnes of CO2, which is the equivalent of driving a mid-range petrol car around the world 10 times over approx. 400,000 km.
Quality lasts
The basic idea of sustainability is first and foremost that a product should last as long as possible. The later a product has to be replaced, the less waste is produced and the more sustainable it is. For this reason, our motto is: Quality lasts!
BÄR shoes last two to four times longer than conventional shoes! The materials used at Bär are subject to strict quality requirements and tests with regard to durability. The function of the materials used should be maintained throughout the entire service life. We offer a two-year guarantee for our Joe Nimble® sports brand.
Origin of the raw materials
When leather is processed correctly, it becomes recyclable and biodegradable. Leather is a natural product that has been used for hundreds of years and is extremely durable if it is well cared for. At Bär, we also pay very close attention to the quality and origin of our materials. This is why we buy a large proportion of our leather in Europe from suppliers and traditional companies that we know and that we regularly check for quality, performance and working processes/conditions. The rest of the leather, such as lining leather, we buy close to production in India, where we are 100% convinced of the quality.
Fairness
We do not categorise our employees according to culture, faith, gender or inclination. We also stand for the clear prohibition of child and forced labour or discrimination. The working conditions in our domestic and foreign operations are regularly audited and certified - see certificates. Humane and fair working conditions, appropriate remuneration and health and safety in the workplace are a priority for us as a family business. This applies to our employees, store operators and suppliers.
Social responsibility
Our actions are characterised by respect and appreciation for people and nature. Good working conditions are very important to us. In addition to healthy nutrition and the ecological and ergonomic design of the workplace, we offer flexible and individualised working time models including home office, part-time work and training opportunities.
Social commitment
The Bär brand sees the support of social projects worldwide as an important part of social sustainability. Bär supports a school for the deaf and dumb in India, e.g. with the installation of a drinking water filter system in 2020, as well as school uniforms and teaching materials. BÄR is also involved in numerous other social projects:
- regular shoe donations to the Invitare Foundation, for example
- Support for the Lions Club,
- MNS donations to schools in Bietigheim-Bissingen
Promoting education
To ensure long-term economic sustainability, the BÄR brand invests in the future by supporting young people from the region after they graduate from school with training or as part of the dual study programme, which is unique in the world. As a recognised IHK training centre, Bär employs up to 20 trainees and students in various areas. From product management to purchasing, accounting, but also digitalisation and web design, all areas are represented and thus ensure that BÄR's expertise is maintained and expanded.
Innovation
BÄR regularly invests in collaborations and support programmes that not only promote the progress of the BÄR brand, but also maintain its competitiveness in the long term, so that it can not only keep up with future trends, but also participate in them. This enables the development of trainers that have a lower carbon dioxide value or contain new types of vegan leather, for example. Innovation therefore not only enables us to look to the future, but also to live in the future.
Process optimisation
Thanks to modern technology and optimised production processes and project workflows, BÄR is able to implement suggestions and new projects efficiently and in a way that conserves resources. The implementation of home office, new room solutions and the latest software enables agile and flexible response options. This gives us the freedom to continue working on shoes that are comfortable and durable in the long term.
BÄR supports VOX MARIS, from waste to new life
The VOX MARIS project, developed by the BioDesign Foundation, is the latest technology to reuse tonnes of plastic that end up in the sea worldwide. The BioDesign Foundation is a non-profit organisation and always proclaims a message of hope and positivity. BÄR is pleased to be able to support the project financially and to work together with VOX MARIS as a co-operation partner. In this way, BÄR is making a significant contribution to the revitalisation of the oceans.
The idea
"The idea of the BioDesign Foundation was born out of a desire to go one step further. They believe that the solution is not to bring plastic waste from the oceans to the mainland and then destroy it, but to find a way to give it a second life and a second use" - this is how the BioDesign Foundation came up with the idea for the VOX MARIS project.
Most of the world's marine litter is made of plastic
Unfortunately, a large proportion of marine animal food consists of plastic. Plastic breaks down into several parts and can be divided into nanoplastics and microplastics. Nanoplastic is the smallest part, which sinks deep into the sea and ends up on the plankton. Microplastic is the larger part, which spreads like a soup in the water and is therefore also eaten by marine animals.
Recovering the lost plastic
100kg of plastic is collected by fishing boats every day. To promote recovery, fishermen are paid for the plastic waste they catch. The boats bring their plastic catch back to the HARBOUR COLLECTION CENTERS at the harbour. In Italy, a partner has been found to realise the dream of cleaning up the oceans.
With a research team that has been working for more than 10 years on the development of a prototype for a thermocompacting system, it is possible to start this recovery of lost plastic.