Trek Bicycle Corporation
- Year of foundation: 1975
- Company headquarters: Waterloo, Wisconsin, USA
- Employees worldwide: approx. 4500
- Annual turnover: approx. 1 billion US dollars (BIKE research)
Trek is probably the absolute surprise in this round. The manufacturer is one of the biggest players in the world when it comes to sporty bikes. The Americans have been known for highly developed and innovative bikes for decades. But for sustainability? The fact that Trek paid its female cyclocross riders the same prize money as the men in 2017 - in contrast to the usual practice in the sporting world - was already an indication of modern thinking beyond the innovative hardware. The family-owned company's first comprehensive sustainability report is therefore a real eye-opener. It is not so much the fact of such a report as such, but rather the seriousness and transparency that shine from its pages. Even the foreword by company boss John Burke is a far cry from the views repeatedly expressed by former President Donald Trump, for example. Burke talks about the numerical increase in carbon dioxide levels in the earth's atmosphere, mentions devastating fires and flood disasters in the USA and quotes a climate activist as saying: "The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it."
John Burke: "Climate change is happening now. We at Trek are just getting started, but we promise to adapt quickly and take effective measures to reduce our environmental impact."
The study, which was commissioned from a neutral institute, focuses on CO² emissions - and it does so in great depth and thoroughness. The emissions caused by employees travelling to work and the air conditioning systems are listed, as are those from the frame stickers or the spokes. Trek's first aim is to clarify which adjustments can have the greatest effect with the least effort. One result: the average Trek bike carries a CO² backpack with 174 kilos of greenhouse gas.
As remarkable as the transparent stocktaking is the definition of initial concrete measures and targets. These include halving business travel compared to pre-corona levels, drastically reducing air freight and improving waste separation as well as new transport packaging with less plastic waste. However, the announcements remain vague when it comes to the choice of raw materials or fairness in the supply chain.
Is the report a signal of change? Is Trek even a pioneer among the big players in the industry? The future will tell. With a new report or with greener products.
First, but verifiable steps: After the first carbon footprint, Trek sets itself targets and changes details in production.
- Target for 2024: Reduce the proportion of air freight by 75% compared to pre-2020 volumes.
- By 2023, 100% renewable energy is to be used in all of our own operating facilities.
- 88 % reduction in landfill waste from mountain bike transport packaging thanks to modified packaging design.
- 2020 Introduction of improved waste separation in production and administration at company headquarters: recycling rate of 50% achieved.
Interview with Eric Bjorling
BIKE: When Trek commissioned the report, Donald Trump was still president. Eco-topics were unpopular, to say the least. Were there any unfriendly comments?
Eric jorling: We may have started before the 2020 presidential election, but whoever is or was president wouldn't have changed anything for us. Climate change is real, and we have a responsibility to drastically reduce our carbon footprint.
The report focuses largely on climate and waste. Others also emphasise social aspects of the supply chain. Is the environmental issue more important?
We started with the area to which we have the most direct access. Our labour force and suppliers are spread all over the world, and we also pay attention to the conditions there. But for this first report, we have actually focussed primarily on the environment.
Trek is a large and influential brand that also offers many carbon bikes. The material is not considered particularly sustainable. Is Trek utilising its potential to develop alternatives or reduce the impact?
When assessing the impact of a product, you have to take the entire life cycle into account - which of course also applies to aluminium, steel or titanium. It is certainly the case that carbon production and the handling of waste can be improved. But it has also been shown that carbon bikes last a very, very long time if handled properly. And if a carbon bike is used for transport and thus avoids CO², it certainly does more good than harm. Apart from that, we are definitely looking for a solution with a closed material cycle and are open to all suggestions and ideas in this regard.
This is the first sustainability report for Trek. Will more follow?
Yes, that is our intention. With the first report, we have created a platform from which we can continue. But we also hope to inspire others to take action of their own or to join us if they are seriously interested.
