GoodBusiness
UpdateUpdated October, 2023

Here at Bellroy, ourabundance – getting there

business model is to

involves solving shorter-

make and sell things.

term problems.

And we believe that wecan harness the successWith that in mind, thisof that model to help

document focuses on thecreate a more vibrantmeasurable, concrete

future for people, animals

steps we’re taking rightand the planet. While

now. These are ourthe big-picture goal

progress stories fromis regeneration – theOctober 2023, withconcept that we can notsome notes on what’sjust sustain, but actively

next, and the many good

help all three of thosethings to come.

categories flourish in02

BELLROY GOOD BUSINESS UPDATE 2023

A focus onmaterials

We’re committed toThat’s why this report

limiting the impact of our

focuses so much on

materials and production

our material choices

process, because that’sand progress. Because

where the impact of athat’s where we have theBellroy occurs. Unlike

opportunity to make thet-shirts that go throughbiggest difference.

the wash (and get replaced
fairly often) or cars that
consume fuel and emit
exhaust, our products aremost impact-heavy before
they get to you. So wehave to be the responsible
ones.

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BELLROY GOOD BUSINESS UPDATE 2023

Contents
1/ Recycled fabrics
Giving waste a second life®

2/ Bluesign certified textiles
Keeping toxic chemicals out of our products

3/ LWG gold-rated leather
Choosing a time-tested material
with lower impact

4/ MIRUM®
Investing in a groundbreaking, all-natural
leather alternative

5/ Recyclable packaging
Minimizing waste throughout ourproduction chain

6/ Purposeful partnerships
Growing mutually beneficial relationships
with our makers

R E C Y C L E D FA B R I C S

We’re usingfabrics made fromrecycled materials.
2
1
34

5

6

WHY
To clean up waste that’s already in the system. Such as
discarded plastic bottles and industrial nylon waste.
All of our main body fabrics and linings are now madefrom 100% recycled materials: polyester from plasticbottles, and nylon from industrial offcuts.

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BELLROY SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2023

R E C Y C L E D FA B R I C STrashedTreasuredBecause bottles are better in bag form.

06BELLROY GOOD BUSINESS UPDATE 2023

R E C Y C L E D FA B R I C S

Saving waste from landfill
APR
2023

PET plastic bottles

13.9

Industrial nylon waste

MAY
2022

10.5

millionOct 2019
Bellroy launches
its first bags
made fromrecycled PETplastic bottles

APR
2020

2.5

millionmillion

JUL
2021

95.6

5.2

SEP
2020

million

3.5

million31.7

tonnes59.4

Jul 2021
Bellroy launches
its first products
made fromrecycled nylon
wastetonnestonnes

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

WHAT’S NEXT
Continuing to reduce our use of virgin petroleumbased materials, without compromising theperformance and longevity of our products. We are
currently developing and refining an exciting new
recycled material that aims to reduce ocean waste.

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BELLROY GOOD BUSINESS UPDATE 2023

R E C Y C L E D FA B R I C S

Did you know?

T h e r e’ s a c o m m o n
misconception that recycled
fabrics are cheaper than virgin.
But when we transitioned torecycled, it actually cost us
m o r e p e r s q u a r e m e t e r. T h e r e ’ s
an inbuilt cost in collecting,cleaning and processing thesematerials. But we felt thebenefits outweighed the costs.

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BELLROY GOOD BUSINESS UPDATE 2023

N O N -T O X I C M AT E R I A L S

We’re sourcing®
bluesign certifiedtextiles.

WHY
To reduce impact on people and the planet. bluesign®
certified materials meet highly stringent standards
around chemical usage throughout the production
process. This means that the materials in our products
don’t release harmful chemicals. Either as environmental
waste during production, or when they come intocontact with people throughout their life cycle.

BELLROY SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2023

N O N -T O X I C M AT E R I A L S

Bellroy products containingbluesign® certified materials

62%88%(2020)(2022)

WHAT’S NEXT
We’ve been working hard for years to eliminate PFAS
chemicals from our materials, without compromising
the water-resistance they provide. (Learn more about
these chemicals below.) 94% of our materials are
currently entirely PFAS-free, and we are on track tobe 100% PFAS-free in 2024.

010

BELLROY GOOD BUSINESS UPDATE 2023

N O N -T O X I C M AT E R I A L S

What are PFAS chemicals?

PFAS (otherwise known as PFCs, or‘forever chemicals’) are a class ofchemical commonly used in water- andstain-resistant coatings. They can befound in a wide variety of products,from non-stick cookware, to upholstery
stain guards, to outdoor equipmentand clothing. However, mounting
evidence suggests these chemicals posesignificant risk to human, animal andplant health.

011

BELLROY GOOD BUSINESS UPDATE 2023

L E AT H E R

We’re sourcing
the best leather
we can find.

WHYTo make use of a material that’s the best fit for purpose,in the most environmentally responsible way possible.
We use leather for its longevity and performance. Andby sourcing it exclusively from tanneries that haveearned a gold rating – the highest possible – from theLeather Working Group (LWG), we help reduce water,energy and chemical waste.

012

BELLROY SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2023

L E AT H E R~15 million
liters of water saved
every year
WHAT’S NEXT
With our suppliers, we’re exploring ways to increase theamount of usable leather per hide through improved
cutting technology. This would also reduce the amountof waste offcuts. We’re also looking into suppliers
that use renewable energy and innovative processes
to further reduce the water, energy and chemical
consumption of tanning. For example, ECCO Leather’s
DriTan™ leather, used in our premium wallets, whichsurpasses even the LWG’s gold rating.

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BELLROY GOOD BUSINESS UPDATE 2023

L E AT H E R

Advocating foranimal welfare

Since joining the Leather Working
Group we have agitated for better
traceability in the industry, including
launching and chairing the Animal
Welfare Group sub-committee. This
year our efforts are paying off, withanimal welfare moving front andcenter in the LWG’s auditing process.
Learn more >014

BELLROY GOOD BUSINESS UPDATE 2023

L E AT H E R A LT E R N AT I V E S

We’re backing
innovative
materials, moving
us towards aregenerativefuture.
WHY
As long as the beef industry still exists, so does leather.
But we’re still making it our goal to find and develop
viable alternatives which are better for both animals andthe planet. The most promising alternative we’ve foundso far is plant-based, and it’s on its way to a regenerative
production model.

015

3MIRUM® products

100%

made fromnatural, renewable inputs

0%contains
petrochemical

016

BELLROY GOOD BUSINESS UPDATE 2023

L E AT H E R A LT E R N AT I V E S

WHAT’S NEXT
We’re working closely with Natural Fiber Welding as
they further develop their technologies. NFW recently
transitioned MIRUM®’s cotton backing to traceableorganic cotton, sourced from C4 (California Cotton &Climate Coalition) farms that regenerate soil healthand sequester carbon. And even greater steps toward
regenerative production are still to come.

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BELLROY GOOD BUSINESS UPDATE 2023

L E AT H E R A LT E R N AT I V E S®

MIRUM customizedfor Bellroy

We have been working with
Natural Fiber Welding for years,
refining a custom formulationof MIRUM ® that’s fit for our
purposes in wallets and bags.

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BELLROY GOOD BUSINESS UPDATE 2023

PA C K A G I N G

We’vetransitioned
to recycledand recyclablepackaging.
WHY
To further reduce the environmental impact of oursupply chain. By making our packaging from recycledplastic, we reduce the burden on landfill. And by using
recyclable FSC-certified paper, we help protect against
deforestation and allow this part of the packaging tohave another life.

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BELLROY GOOD BUSINESS UPDATE 2023

R E C Y C L A B L E PA C K A G I N G

100%of our paper packaging is
FSC-certified paper

100%of our polybags are madefrom 100% recycled content

020

BELLROY GOOD BUSINESS UPDATE 2023

R E C Y C L E D PA C K A G I N G

WHAT’S NEXT
When it benefits the environment, we’re replacing virgin
paper in our packaging with recycled FSC-certified paper.
When paper made from sustainably managed forests
makes better environmental sense, we use that alongside
recycled paper. By investing in research and staying
across the options, we’re making decisions based on
environmental impact.

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BELLROY GOOD BUSINESS UPDATE 2023

R E C Y C L E D PA C K A G I N G

From dustbags
to polybags
To maximize their lifespan, ourproducts need protection on their way
to customers. Rather than the thickdust bags our products used to arrivein, we’ve switched to lightweightrecycled polyethylene bags. This
reduces total raw material used by 55%
and, since many customers didn’t reuse
the old dust bags, greatly reduces theamount of plastic that ultimately goesto landfill. Learn more >022

BELLROY GOOD BUSINESS UPDATE 2023

HUMANS

We’recollaboratingwith our partners
to improve
processes,
supply chains
and working
conditions.

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BELLROY GOOD BUSINESS UPDATE 2023

HUMANS

WHY
Because these relationships benefit both us and ourmakers. Our in-house teams work side by side with
our manufacturing partners in complex feedbackloops. These close relationships allow our makers todevelop advanced skills, master new technologies andincrease efficiency. Giving them capacity to increase
their business. In return, we’re able to bring complex,
innovative designs into reality – the Apex Note Sleeve isa great example of this.

Day 124HUMANSDay 1000

9 years
and growing!
average length of relationshipwith manufacturers
WHAT’S NEXTAs we continue to support our suppliers and manufacturers
with advanced technology, skills training and aboveaverage wages, we are also planning a full review of ourown corporate social responsibility goals. To ensure that
we, and the companies we work with, are aligned with ourgoals and principles.

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BELLROY GOOD BUSINESS UPDATE 2023

HUMANS

Mitigating Covid’s
impact on our makers

Throughout the pandemic we worked
with our manufacturing partners
to even out our production demand
curves and work around factory
lockdowns. This meant we were able toavoid canceling orders and help keep
workers employed in an unsteady time.

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BELLROY GOOD BUSINESS UPDATE 2023

CONCLUSION

The path ofprogress
These milestones mark progress, not endpoints.
And the path will continue to take shape as we moveforward. We’re constantly searching for, backing
and developing new technologies, processes andmaterials, and as they evolve you can expect ourapproach to evolve alongside them. Always with ourultimate goal in mind: to make products that can beused and loved for as long as possible.

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BELLROY GOOD BUSINESS UPDATE 2023

CONCLUSION

Inspiration
and resources
Keen to get a better understanding of what drives
our approach to sustainability? Our CEO, Andy, hasrecommended a couple of the resources that haveinfluenced him most.

Cradle to Cradle:

How to Avoid aRemaking the Way

Climate Disaster

We Make Things

Bill Gates

Michael Braungart andWilliam McDonough28

BELLROY GOOD BUSINESS UPDATE 2023

CONCLUSION

Leather alternatives andFuture Materials

regenerative possibilities

Roundtable

Bellroy Journal

Bellroy Journal

Recycled fabrics, andDesigning for longevity

the future of sustainablewith Andy Fallshaw, Bellroy

practicesco-founder and CEO

Bellroy Journal

Well Made podcast; ep. 133

The importance of narrative feat. Andy
Fallshaw – Bellroy Producing With Purpose:an ethical business podcast; ep. 36
Common Objective
Ellen MacArthur Foundation29

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