Cycling is inherently sustainable if you leave the car behind. In the future, Shimano will make cycling even more sustainable, among other things with environmentally friendly packaging.
A trip into nature on a racing bike, mountain bike, gravel bike or trekking bike is good for your health. And every journey that is made by bicycle instead of by car is environmental protection in its purest form. But, let's be honest: Our hobby also generates waste, consumes resources and sometimes affects ecosystems.
No, this isn't going to be greenwashing blah blah... don't worry. We just keep up with the times and are so honest with ourselves and you that we see and admit that as bikers we simply enjoy nature and should therefore take some responsibility for this planet. We have vegans and vegetarians in the team, we try to form carpools whenever possible, we only print what needs to be done, etc. No, we don't want to praise ourselves, we think that's normal, that's possible and we want to tell you, you can do it also. And if you want, you can think we're stupid, because we're getting there now. But it's healthy selfishness to guard what you love...
Because we are pleased that we are not the only ones who see it that way, we don't want to withhold the current Shimano message from you, which hits exactly this notch: Shimano is introducing sustainable packaging
Sustainability is a recurring theme in SHIMANO's annual reports. In 2020, for example, SHIMANO reduced water consumption in its factories by around 7%. In the same year, SHIMANO also unveiled an action plan to reduce single-use plastic in containers and packaging. All without sacrificing packaging quality or consumer experience.
Lower environmental impact
Meanwhile, SHIMANO has taken numerous concrete actions that are evident, especially in the area of sustainable packaging with less impact on the environment and the planet. Basically, this packaging is based on four key aspects: minimal use of single-use plastic, a gradual transition to FSC-certified or recycled cardboard or a mix of both, the reduction of the overall volume of the packaging and the more economical use of printing ink. The latter in turn simplifies the recycling of the cardboard boxes after unpacking.
Among other things, the new DURA-ACE R9200 Series, the flagship among the racing bike component groups, has been given a new look. Until now, the products were in a sleeve, which in turn was packed on a cardboard inlay and fixed there with plastic film. This inlay was placed in an outer carton made of conventional cardboard and plastic film. The new, sustainable packaging now only consists of an inlay and outer box, each made of FSC-certified, recycled cardboard. A special shape of the inlay ensures that the products stay in place, and no plastic film is used to fix them. A positive "side effect" is that this inlay structure acts as a cushion if the box accidentally falls to the ground.
Other SHIMANO products have also recently received new packaging. The shoes, for example, now come in an environmentally friendly box made from recycled material. Less ink has been used and the symbols and labels are significantly smaller. FSC-certified or recycled cardboard or a mix of both is used for the packaging of the spare parts. The pack size is better adapted to the shape of the product, resulting in less wasted volume and saving on packaging material. Here, too, the consumption of printing ink was reduced.
To protect the highly technical fibers during transport and storage, SHIMANO packs the cycling clothing in poly bags, which are now made from 100% recycled material. These bags can in turn be recycled after unpacking. Product labels are also becoming more sustainable. They are now made from FSC-certified or recycled cardboard or a mix of both, and the use of printing ink has been reduced in outer boxes. In the future, SHIMANO glasses will be packaged without the use of plastic, instead FSC-certified paper will be used. The outer packaging is smaller and less ink is used here too.
Next Steps
These are just some of the early results of Shimano's sustainability journey. Step by step, SHIMANO introduces more and more sustainable packaging that is good for people, for the environment and for the entire planet. In other areas, too, SHIMANO will continue to make every effort to act even more sustainably. In its environmental guidelines, SHIMANO declares, among other things, to reduce CO2 emissions as much as possible, encourage employees to save energy in campaigns and prevent pollution or pollution of the air, water and soil. The latter also includes exposure to noise and vibration.
Fair Ride seal for Shimano
Velomotion awards Shimano the Fair Ride seal for outstanding services to a sustainable bicycle industry for their commitment to sustainability in packaging.