Challenges
Nobody's perfect. Not even WINQS. On the contrary. We produce waste, are responsible for CO2 emissions and must continue to improve our supply chain. But because we can't stand anything less than greenwashing, we deal with all challenges transparently and list them on this page. If you are missing information, feel free to ask.
Optimise Supply Chains
Although we take care to keep all shipping and delivery distances short, we are still dependent on where our sustainable raw materials are available. Ocean plastics, castor beans or scrap rubber, for example, are only available to us in Asia. To avoid unnecessary shipping, we manufacture some products already there. But it is our declared goal to gradually establish our own regional production sites with local suppliers. This is the only way we can further shorten transport distances and control our supply chain.
Close All Loops
It is our ultimate goal to create a perfect circular economy, by permanently reusing materials and creating zero waste. However, to achieve this, it is not enough to use only recyclable resources. Therefore we are currently working on producing not only our textiles, but also our shoes and bags from perfectly separable, bio-based mono-materials that can be split up and recycled in their entirety at the end of their life.
Abolish petroleum plastics
For our textiles, we have already succeeded in replacing all petroleum-based plastic with sustainable fibres of botanical origin. But for some other products, this is simply not yet possible due to functional demands. For the midsoles of our running shoes, we replaced just over 30% of the usual plastic with castor beans, and for our outsoles we use recycled scrap rubber. However, we are working hard to soon be able to produce completely plastic-free.
Natural colors and adhesives
Currently, we are already experimenting with various natural dyes of plant origin - red cabbage for pink, black beans for blue, onion skins for orange. In the future, these will replace all our dyes. But the quality, especially the longevity, is still not there, yet. That's why we're relying on non-toxic, water-soluble REACH-certified dyes for the time being.
Further developing transparency
Since the end of 2021, we have offered a comprehensive traceability system for our textiles to provide customers with absolute transparency. Where do our fibers come from? Where and by whom are they spun into textiles? Which factory sews our shirts? Is renewable energy used? Our aim is to extend this transparency to our entire portfolio by the end of 2023.
Reduce overconsumption
The most sustainable shoe is the one you don't buy. In this respect, we are in a dilemma. On one hand, we promote our new collections to grow as a brand and achieve greater sales. Then again, we want the sports industry to produce less. That's why we are working on making our products even more durable than they already are, contrary to the trend. And we also want their construction to further simplify repairs to increase their life-span.
Install circular shipping
The majority of our sales are made online. Therefore, we work with biodegradable, recycled as well as recyclable packaging materials that can also be used directly for shipping. This way we reduce the need for additional material. However, our goal is to completely replace disposable packaging with reusable solutions as soon as possible.
Reduce returns as much as possible
Thanks to the quality of our products and their careful design, our returns rate is particularly low. Nevertheless, we would like to install additional tools in the future that will make it easier for our customers to order exactly the sizes and styles they want.
