Picture of ocean background with rocks in foreground with text "Materials Matter" on image.
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.

  • Plastic Bottle Icon 100% rPET
    Fabrics
  • Percentage Fishing Nets  50% Recycled
    Sea Nets
  • Water Drop Icon Innovative
    Dye Process
  • Chemical Beaker Icon No Harmful Chemicals
    PVC, BPA & Phthalate Free
  • PFAS-Free PFAS Free Fabrics
  • Oeko Tex Logo OEKO-TEX

 

PFAS Free Durable Water
Repellent (DWR)

What is Durable Water Repellent?

Picture of water repelling of a bumbleride canopy thanks to PFAS free durable water repellent

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).

What is PFAS or PFCs?

Picture of child sitting in Bumbleride stroller facing camera drinking from a klean kanteen sippy cup

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.

What is Recycled PET (RPET)?

Picture of bumbleride strollers on desert rocks at varying heights with sunrise in background

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?

Picture of bumbleride era cork handle zoomed in to show detail and quality

Which material are recycled
sea nets or fishing nets?

Picture of Bumbleride Era stroller in Sea Glass over fishing nets to showcase our use of 25% recycled fishing nets in plastic components on stroller frame

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

Picture of child smiling inside the seat of a bumbleride stroller with organic cotton infant seat liner
  • 100% GOTS certified organic cotton
  • Free of pesticides
  • Free of harmful chemicals
  • Uses 91% less water and 62% less energy

Shop Organic Cotton Accessory Collection

 

Bumbleride Materials

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.

"Eco is not a trend" quote on image of boy at beach at tidepools