Our Eco Story

Materials Matter

Eco is not a trend. The textiles, aluminum and plastics that make up Bumbleride products are carefully chosen for durability, safety and function, but also for their environmental impact. Manufacturing can be a dirty business so we seek out suppliers that are innovating to save energy, conserve water and reduce pollution in landfills.

What is Recycled PET (RPET)?

PET is defined as polyethylene terephthalate (plastic water bottle material). RPET or recycled PET is considered a greener option in textiles today for a few reasons:

Various studies all agree that it uses anywhere from 35-53% less energy to make recycled polyester than it does to make virgin polyester.
We are keeping bottles out of landfills and reducing use of raw/virgin materials.
RPET is cited as producing far fewer emissions to the air than does the production of virgin polyester: again estimates vary, but Libolon’s website introducing its new RPET yarn put the estimate at 54.6% fewer CO2 emissions (source).

Why Cork?

Cork is used in many high use applications including trekking pole handles, fishing rod handles, toys, shoes, insulation, wine stoppers, flooring, yoga mats, etc. It is a versatile resource straight from Mother Nature that is very easy to maintain.

Durable & Anti-microbial.
100% Sustainable & Renewable.
Naturally Waterproof & Non-toxic.
Non-slip, Ergonomic Grip.
Easy To Clean.

Which material are recycled sea nets or fishing nets?

Beginning with our 2020 Collection, we have sourced nylon recovered from the upcycling of fishing nets, which now make up 25% of the plastic components on our stroller frame. These nylon fishing nets are recovered from the local oceans near our factory in Taiwan, cleaned, converted into reusable pellets, and injection molded into plastic parts. They have been tested for durability and have proved to be as effective as regular plastic.

Organic Cotton Accessory Collection

100% GOTS certified organic cotton
Free of pesticides
Free of harmful chemicals
Uses 91% less water and 62% less energy

What is PFAS or PFCs?

PFAS and PFCs are abbreviations for a group of “poly or per fluorinated chemicals and compounds” most often referenced as specific versions named PFOA or PFOS. PFAS can most often be found in stain and water repellent fabrics, plastic food packaging, non-stick cooking equipment, drinking water and household cleaning products. There is evidence that exposure to PFAS is known to cause unfavorable health outcomes in animals and humans.

Durable Water Repellent

The Durable Water Repellent (DWR) used on Bumbleride fabrics is PFAS free (meaning, free of perfluorinated or forever chemicals). It replaces the chemicals used in traditional DWR with a plant based oil to ensure the utmost safety for baby and planet. It provides outstanding waterproof performance and will last through many machine washes (spot washing with mild soap and water recommended to reduce environmental impact).

Non-fluorinated, plant based oil.
Machine washable without sacrificing fabric breathability, feel or performance.
Screened via ChemIQ, with a “Preferred” rating, for VF Corporation, and has been registered with the Scivera system for Nike.
Approved by the third-party safe chemistry certifiers, bluesign®, ZDHC, and preferred by OEKO-TEX.

PFAS Free Durable WaterRepellent (DWR)

Durable Water Repellent (DWR) is a liquid chemical treatment to fabric that creates a microscopic barrier to prevent saturation when wet, most often found in high performance outdoor clothing and found in baby gear fabrics to protect against spills and accidents. Most common DWR contains PFAS related chemicals that are known concerns to the health of baby and the planet, often referenced as C-8 or C-6. Bumbleride’s DWR is PFAS free (C-0).

PFAS Free Durable WaterRepellent (DWR)
Durable Water Repellent (DWR) is a liquid chemical treatment to fabric that creates a microscopic barrier to prevent saturation when wet, most often found in high performance outdoor clothing and found in baby gear fabrics to protect against spills and accidents. Most common DWR contains PFAS related chemicals that are known concerns to the health of baby and the planet, often referenced as C-8 or C-6. Bumbleride’s DWR is PFAS free (C-0).
Non-fluorinated, plant based oil.Machine washable without sacrificing fabric breathability, feel or performance.Screened via ChemIQ, with a “Preferred” rating, for VF Corporation, and has been registered with the Scivera system for Nike. Approved by the third-party safe chemistry certifiers, bluesign®, ZDHC, and preferred by OEKO-TEX.

Details

Our Materials Story

Since 2016, all of our fabrics and padding are OEKO-TEX Standard 100, Class I certified free from harmful chemicals (What is OEKO-TEX?). Bumbleride products are free from Fire Retardants, Lead, Phthalates, BPA, Polyurethane Foam (excluding Travel Bags for form), PVC, Vinyl, Formaldehyde, Chlorine, PFAS and many more harmful chemicals.

Bumbleride fabrics are made from 100% RPET (post-consumer recycled plastic water bottles, polyethylene terephthalate, RPET). We have upcycled over 1 million bottles into our fabrics since 2011. In addition, our black colorways use an innovative dye process that conserves approximately 25-40 gallons of water per stroller. This dye process not only reduces water use, but also pollution.

In an industry where mega factories, fast fashion and mass production are the norm; causing social and quality control concerns along with extreme environmental harm, we have chosen to work with a family-run, small batch factory in Taiwan from the very beginning of Bumbleride. Our factory uses more than 50 local businesses as sub-contractors, who not only support the local economy, but allow for tight and close control on quality and efficiency. Read more about our Factory.

We are constantly evolving. We’ve been on a quest to find the most earth-friendly durable water repellent, as traditional DWR used on performance fabrics is harmful to our planet and people. This new DWR would have to meet our stringent high performance and durability standards in addition to being safer on the planet. Through much research and testing, we are proud to offer a PFAS free DWR (C-0) since our 2020 Collection, that replaces these chemicals with a plant based oil to ensure the utmost safety for baby and planet. This new DWR provides outstanding waterproof performance and will last through many machine washes (spot washing with mild soap and water recommended to reduce environmental impact). Learn more about our DWR.

Ocean plastic pollution is another critical issue that we are addressing with the help of our factory and suppliers. Discarded nylon fishing nets make up a significant part of the plastic pollution impacting our oceans, sea life and the environment. A single “ghost net” can last for months trapping fish, whales, dolphins, seals, turtles and sea birds. Since our 2020 Collection, we have sourced nylon upcycled from fishing nets, which now make up 25% of the plastic components on our stroller frame. Cleaner oceans, happier sea life and less virgin plastic.

We continue to research new materials that maintain our high standards for performance, while reducing our impact on the environment.

Our Materials Story

Since 2016, all of our fabrics and padding are OEKO-TEX Standard 100, Class I certified free from harmful chemicals (What is OEKO-TEX?). Bumbleride products are free from Fire Retardants, Lead, Phthalates, BPA, Polyurethane Foam (excluding Travel Bags for form), PVC, Vinyl, Formaldehyde, Chlorine, PFAS and many more harmful chemicals.

Bumbleride fabrics are made from 100% RPET (post-consumer recycled plastic water bottles, polyethylene terephthalate, RPET). We have upcycled over 1 million bottles into our fabrics since 2011. In addition, our black colorways use an innovative dye process that conserves approximately 25-40 gallons of water per stroller. This dye process not only reduces water use, but also pollution.

In an industry where mega factories, fast fashion and mass production are the norm; causing social and quality control concerns along with extreme environmental harm, we have chosen to work with a family-run, small batch factory in Taiwan from the very beginning of Bumbleride. Our factory uses more than 50 local businesses as sub-contractors, who not only support the local economy, but allow for tight and close control on quality and efficiency. Read more about our Factory.

We are constantly evolving. We’ve been on a quest to find the most earth-friendly durable water repellent, as traditional DWR used on performance fabrics is harmful to our planet and people. This new DWR would have to meet our stringent high performance and durability standards in addition to being safer on the planet. Through much research and testing, we are proud to offer a PFAS free DWR (C-0) since our 2020 Collection, that replaces these chemicals with a plant based oil to ensure the utmost safety for baby and planet. This new DWR provides outstanding waterproof performance and will last through many machine washes (spot washing with mild soap and water recommended to reduce environmental impact). Learn more about our DWR.

Ocean plastic pollution is another critical issue that we are addressing with the help of our factory and suppliers. Discarded nylon fishing nets make up a significant part of the plastic pollution impacting our oceans, sea life and the environment. A single “ghost net” can last for months trapping fish, whales, dolphins, seals, turtles and sea birds. Since our 2020 Collection, we have sourced nylon upcycled from fishing nets, which now make up 25% of the plastic components on our stroller frame. Cleaner oceans, happier sea life and less virgin plastic.

We continue to research new materials that maintain our high standards for performance, while reducing our impact on the environment.

Why Cork

100% Sustainable & Renewable

Cork is used in many high use applications including trekking pole handles, fishing rod handles, toys, shoes, insulation, wine stoppers, flooring, yoga mats, etc. It is a versatile resource straight from Mother Nature that is very easy to maintain.

Cork comes from the bark of the Cork Oak tree.
The cork we use grows in the mountain area of eight provinces of China, which is the closest geographic area to our manufacturer in Taiwan.
Completely natural and raw material is harvested by removing the bark of the tree every 9 years, once the tree is sufficiently matured (around 15-30 year).
Cork Oak trees can live up to 300 years.
The harvesting practice is considered the most sustainable and environmentally friendly harvesting practice on the planet.
Cork Oak trees are not cut down or harmed in the process.
The trees are stripped to harvest the cork while they continue to grow and thrive.
Cork regenerates each time after being harvested, storing carbon to regenerate bark.
Comes directly from nature and every part of the cork is used.
Completely biodegrades without any toxic residues.
Can be easily recycled and repurposed into other products.
Harvested cork trees absorb 5x more CO2 than non-harvested trees.
These forests are the perfect example of the balance between preserving the environment and sustainable development.
Cork Oak tree forests support one of the world’s highest levels of forest biodiversity, second only to the Amazonian Rain Forest.

Naturally Waterproof & Non-toxic

It is impermeable and does not absorb water.
Cork contains no additives or chemicals other than the natural resin called Suberin (a waxy substance responsible for the elasticity of the cork, that in nature repels small insects and does not absorb water).
Free of PVC and flame retardants and any other harmful chemical.
The adhesive used is an alternative to the typical TDI used, which is a solvent free, polyurethane adhesive that has no formaldehyde, no toxicity and no VOCs

Non-slip, Ergonomic Grip

Cushioned grip that is lightweight and buoyant.

Natural texture gives both softness and flexibility to the touch..