I’ve just unwrapped an item of cycling kit that came through the post. Like a child’s game of pass-the-parcel, it was nestled in several outer layers of packaging, none of which were plastic, which I am assured were all made from either 80% reclaimed, 100% recycled, or packaged from responsibly sourced FSC cardboard. I’m told the jersey itself is made using Bluesign fabrics that have also been responsibly sourced. My virtuous self has signalled. I felt confident that I had a sustainable/eco/green item.
Then an email landed in my inbox. It was an inquiry from a reader requesting that we share more information about product manufacturing. As a team, we’ve begun to really focus on highlighting the eco credentials of any product we’re reviewing. This is a conscious effort and something we’d like to formalise in CW in the coming months. Once we’ve worked out exactly what we should be looking for.
But the email got me thinking: what do we know for sure? What do these terms, standards or claims even mean and wouldn’t it be helpful if someone could produce a quick reference guide? It turned out that along with the ‘sustainable’ jersey I had also opened up a can of worms.
The more I dug into these claims, standards and schemes, the more unanswered questions I had, for brands quoting the ‘standards’, as well as the bodies behind them all. It was time to call the experts.
Denne historien er fra June 09, 2022-utgaven av CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra June 09, 2022-utgaven av CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
CLASSIC BIKE COLNAGO SUPER
A trailblazing bike immortalised by Merckx and Saronni
"Strava activities are the only way I know some of my friends are still alive"
...or that Bernard is doing his weekly shop
AN EXPERT'S TAKE ON... SADDLE SELECTION
Crucial advice to guide your next purchase
JUST A NUMB#R?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
RURAL PERIL
More UK cyclists are killed on rural lanes than on busy city streets. Rob Kemp investigates why and what can be done to keep us safe while riding in the countryside
A BLESSED RIDE THROUGH THE FOREST OF BOWLAND
Forgoing cloak, cassock and cross, Trevor Ward goes in search of the holy roads that helped make a Tour winner
Dame Sarah Storey claims road and 19th gold double
More success for Team GB's Paralympians in Paris, but Storey slams women's time trial course
Roglič matches Vuelta win record
Slovenian takes fourth Tour of Spain title after hunting down O'Connor's lead, writes Adam Becket
Williams crowned Tour of Britain champion
Welshman leads home resurgence at the stage race to crown an Israel-Premier Tech clean sweep, reports Tom Davidson in Felixstowe
CLASSIC BIKE CLAUD BUTLER OLYMPIC ROAD
Iconic British brand's Holdsworth-era road bike