Partnership Initiative
Circular Down
Image credit: © Kerrick/istockphoto.com
The challenge
In recent years, the market share of bedding with synthetic filling materials has risen continuously. In Germany, it is around 70 %. In addition to the energy required for the filling materials made from fossil raw materials, the fact that most of the fibres used are not biodegradable is also ecologically questionable. Meanwhile, a large proportion of the new down for down products comes from China. There are repeated reports of insufficient consideration of animal welfare aspects in Chinese poultry farms. In addition, the long transport distances of the down are associated with high CO2 emissions.
Our approach
To reduce the import and use of virgin material, new collection structures for discarded bedding filled with down and feathers are being set up in Germany as part of the “Circular Down” Partnership Initiative. To promote more sustainable down production, training materials on animal welfare aspects are being created for staff members on Chinese poultry farms and stricter animal welfare criteria are being integrated into the Downpass, a standard for sustainable feathers and down. An accompanying communication campaign informs about the new return options for bedding and the advantages of recycled down and feathers.
Our goals
The objective of the Partnership Initiative is to increase the useful life of down and feathers and to keep them in the cycle up to five times longer as recycled filling materials for bedding. The collection and reprocessing is intended to reduce imports of virgin material and lower transport-related CO2 emissions. The project also aims to improve animal welfare in down production.
Facts and figures
Project duration | 03/2024–08/2025 |
Focus topic | Environmental protection |
BMZ focus topic | Just Transition |
Project countries | China and Germany |
Involved Partnership members | Essenza Home, erlich textil, FairWertung, BTE Handelsverband Textil, Verband der deutschen Daunen- und Federnindustrie e. V. (VDFI), Bundesverband E-Commerce und Versandhandel Deutschland e. V. (BEVH) |
Downloads
SDGs
Involved Partnership Members
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