About
Stormberg produces functional clothes for the whole family. By emphasizing design and practicality, Stormberg developed clothes that allows the whole family to be well dressed for big and small occasions and in all kinds of weather.
Our policy is simple: It should not cost much to get out on tour together as a family.
Since its inception in 1998, this philosophy made Stormberg the fastest-growing clothes manufacturer in Norway. Stormberg is synonymous with clothes for the entire family, whether the purpose of the trip is by the sea, in the forest or in the mountains.
Before Stormberg was established, it was almost impossible to find functional clothes for young children. This was a paradox, as most often it is the children who play in the outdoors more than adults. All Stormberg-made products, therefore, are for children, youth and adults.
The clothes are thoroughly tested by both children and adults to ensure that they withstand tough use during Norwegian-changing weather conditions. Classic colors, focus on design and quality means that the clothes look good and they can be used season after season. Long lasting clothes are more environmentally friendly than those that are short lived.
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Strategy
A carbon footprint analysis with action plan finalized in April 2008 shows that the average CO2 emission factor is 5.3 kg CO2 per kg clothing. Based on an annual production of 495 tons (1,1 million pieces) the total carbon footprint for Stormberg in 2007 was 2612 tons CO2.
The calculation includes all steps in the production, but not the actual use of the clothes. Regarding the packaging, the entire life cycle is covered “from cradle to grave”
These emissions have been offset through the acquisition of official, UN issues carbon credits. We have chosen a project in Jinan, China , where methane emanated from a landfill is producing electricity. In addition to buying carbon offsets Stormberg is spending 1% of the companies’ turnover on different
projects to make the world a little better place to live.
In order to calculate the carbon factor for Stormberg clothing, the most important input factors required for the delivery of the finished product (whether it is 100% cotton, polyester or a mix of the two fabrics) were collected. The life cycle covers all stages from the cultivation of cotton and production of hydrocarbons for polyester, to the delivery of the finished product in the store. All substantial use of fossil fuel (both electricity and fuel) as well as packaging has been considered. All use
of fossil fuel has been converted to CO2 equivalents and then distributed to the respective production volume in each part of the value chain. Common factors from external analysis were used to calculate a single factor for the entire cotton clothing process, from the cultivation of cotton to the finished garment, including both the photosynthesis and the use of fertilizer.
For administration and operation inKristiansand and the store in Oslo , an own carbon footprint has been developed, including driving, air travel and the use of oil and electricity. In order to calculate factors for packaging, both the analytical tool SimaProTM and information from US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) have been utilized. In addition to this, known emission factors from SFT
(Norwegian Environmental Agency) and Sintef. The calculation includes all steps up to the consumer and does therefore not cover the actual use of the clothes.
The analysis shows that the largest share of the carbon footprint comes from cultivation and production of cotton fabric and that the transportation part represents a modest share.
Implemented, initiated and planned climate measures in Stormberg
Developing an environmental action plan for a company or a product consists of building awareness among their customers and surroundings as well as their own employees. By actively reducing own emissions and compensating for the rest through the mechanisms under the Kyoto protocol, they will contribute to counteracting the effects of global warming. Stormberg has already carried out numerous environmental measures. Most of the measures will have a positive effect on the environment, though to a different extent. Stormberg is very clear on their desire to integrate sustainability throughout the entire
production, from design to destruction, also known as “Integrated Product Policy” (IPP). Most of the completed measures are primarily aimed at internal and external change of attitude through for instance a conscious employment of materials and environmental collaboration. Stormberg is nonetheless close to reaching a global strategy for ethics and environment throughout the entire life cycle of their products.
By further reducing and offsetting their consumption and emission, Stormberg wishes to be recognized as a market leader on climate efforts in their sector.
In order to communicate their climate efforts in a clear and consistent manner,Stormberg will focus on the following actions during the next two years:
1) Environmental strategy for product development
- Strict requirements for the use of chemicals in products and production
- Collaboration with Friends of the Earth Norway in order to develop environmentally
friendly sportswear
2) Use of materials and recycling
- Only use recycled printed matters
- Degradable/recycled/non-toxic/reusable packaging (bags and packages)
- Consider the use of recycled materials in clothing
- Investigate the use of ecological/recycled/carbon labelled materials in the clothing
collection.
- Recycling system for used Stormberg clothing and environmental information on products
not being recycled.
3) Production
Focus on production improvements regarding environment, waste management,
energy efficiency and GHG emissions etc, in addition to the improved working conditions
4) Administration
- Energy efficiency measures for servers and IT equipment
- Reduce air travel
- Purchase of environmentally friendly vehicles at car renewal
5) Compensation of global emissions
Purchase UN issued emission credits offsetting the whole production and as a result,
possibly carbon labelling the Stormberg products.
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