SUSTAINABILITY AT FROG BIKES
At Frog Bikes we care about protecting the planet around us. Not only are we responsible for designing and developing products that are more sustainable, but also identifying and performing other projects that help minimise the environmental impact of our operations. Each time a Frog Bike is used, it’s contributing towards a more sustainable lifestyle choice.
Whilst we don’t profess to have all the answers mapped out just yet, we are continually working to integrate sustainability into each aspect of the business, but we understand it is an ongoing process.
In 2021 we reduced our total emissions by just over 10% versus our baseline of 2019. This was achieved despite a 14% increase in the number of bikes we built.
We emitted 6522 tonnes of CO2e (carbon dioxide or equivalent) from all our activities, versus a baseline of 7295 tonnes in 2019, saving 773 tonnes of Co2e in 2021. Read the report to see how we are reducing our impact.
Frog Bikes is a proud member of the SME Climate Hub, a global initiative that empowers small to medium sized companies to take climate action and build more resilient businesses. Through the SME Climate Hub, we commit to lowering our impact on the environment through authentic action, halving our emissions by 2030. In making the commitment, we have joined the United Nations Race to Zero campaign. Join us on our quest to become a more sustainable business…
Click on a topic below to learn more about our sustainability efforts
PRODUCT INNOVATION
Through extensive research and careful sourcing, we have developed kids’ bikes that are designed for longevity and that are robust and reliable. And since the bikes are well crafted using premium-quality materials, customers can benefit from being able to hand the bikes down to siblings or friends or make use of a strong resale value and trade-in opportunities.
IMPROVED DESIGN
We have made improvements to the design of some of our bikes to reduce the materials required to make them, e.g. novel spoke patterns to reduce the amount of stainless steel in each wheel, also lighter bottom brackets, lighter cranks, and shorter seat tubes, reducing the steel and aluminium in each bike. This work will roll out through our range.
These changes so far provide a 6kg saving of CO2e per bike, reducing steel by 12.8% and aluminium by 5.9%.
ACCESSIBLE SPARE PARTS
Because children enjoy riding Frog Bikes so much, through wear and tear sometimes parts may need to be replaced. To enable them to be easily sourced and changed, we make sure that spares are accessible in standard sizing.
FIX UP WITH PAINT PLASTERS
We have decided to move away from touch-up paint pots for those pesky little knocks and scratches, and instead offer perfectly matched paint plasters which create less waste and are easier to use.We are also exploring different, more eco-friendly materials to protect our frames and forks from paint scratches.
LESS TYRE WASTE
As we are all aware, used tyres are among the largest and most problematic sources of waste today, due to the large volume produced and their durability. So to reduce the production of greenhouse gases, we only provide one set of multi-purpose tyres with a Frog bike, instead of two seasonal tyre sets.
REDUCING PLASTIC IN PEDALS
We are committed to producing our bikes in an environmentally conscious way. All of our Frog Hybrids are equipped with our FrogFit Technology® pedals which are made of rice husk composite that uses 50% less plastic.
FEWER BIKE SPOKES
For the future, among other plans, we hope to redesign our bike wheels with fewer spokes, to enable us to be more resourceful with less material being used. We will always assess the implementations of our decisions on the environment, and keep pushing towards a cleaner product via responsible sourcing.
SUPPLY CHAIN
When designing, changing or modifying our bikes, we ensure that we consider the complete Supply Chain and the potential impact it may have on the environment.
LOWER CARBON MATERIALS
Our primary decarbonisation focus is on sourcing lower-carbon materials for our bikes, so we are working closely with existing suppliers who are willing to switch to low-carbon aluminium and alternatives to plastics; we have also identified alternative suppliers should this prove unsuccessful. Full migration to low carbon may take several years but will deliver massive benefits.
LIKE MINDED SUPPLIERS
We always look to work with like-minded ethical, social & environmentally friendly suppliers ensuring policies, procedures, products and services are controlled and delivered to our requirements.
SHIPMENTS BY SEA
Shipments of our bikes to the US are by sea and not air, to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
LOCALLY SOURCED
Our commitment is making sure first and foremost that we deliver the best possible bikes. But, we also want to achieve a reduction in the miles that it takes to source quality bike components. To reduce our carbon footprint, we continually look at alternative suppliers that are closer to home, but that won’t compromise the quality of our products.
PACKAGING
Whilst we understand that our bikes need to be safely packaged and protected, we are also aware of the impact of packaging waste that ends up in a landfill. Our team is dedicated to making our packaging as sustainable as possible.
We use as little material as is feasible per package. Our packing boxes are made from 82% recycled paper and are 100% recyclable. We also use recycled and renewable materials wherever we can.
And, we’re reducing our Co2 emissions by approximately 16 tonnes a year by implementing packaging alterations! Find out more here >>
Of our stockists globally, 68% of them recycle or reuse our packaging, and in some EU markets, it’s as high as 90%.
COMMITMENT TO REUSABLE AND RECYCLABLE PACKAGING
Cycling industries are uniting behind a shared vision of creating a circular economy for packaging. Frog Bikes is proud to be part of the Cycling Industries Sustainable Packaging Commitment to eliminate wasteful packaging from the supply chain. By 2025, all our packaging will be reusable and recyclable.
REDUCING PLASTIC
At present we are looking into alternative ways to package the front wheel of our bikes, which would lessen the number of plastic cable ties required, as well as removing the need for plastic hub protectors, which potentially could total 1.257 tonnes per year of raw material savings. We are also researching ways to lower the amount of plastic bags used in the boxes, opting for biodegradable or equivalent, which could remove the use of 210kg per year of low density poly bags.
SUSTAINABLE RECYCLING
Our packaging suppliers are investigating alternative outer boxes, which would eliminate the needs for plastics altogether! And, our painters are looking into replacing the non-recyclable foam protection, with recyclable alternatives.
OPERATIONS
In the general operational running of the business, we aim to curb our waste and carbon footprint and have a minimal negative impact on the environment, by assessing all ecological measures.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
At both of our UK sites, we convinced landlords to switch to renewable energy.
RECYCLE RECYCLE RECYCLE
We recycle any reusable waste from our offices and factory, including boxes, food waste and office materials, and also use compostable meal boxes at the factory.
LOW ENERGY LIGHTING
Our offices and factory both use low voltage lighting, and the factory also uses renewable energy sources where possible.
REDUCED TRAVEL
The pandemic has shone a light on many aspects of the business in the past year, with one key area being highlighted - that we will take a more considered approach to travel. It has become apparent that with access to the advanced technology of today, many journeys are no longer essential. Catch-ups with customers and colleagues can be held virtually anywhere, trips to the factory can on occasion be via video call and face-to-face meetings can be less frequent.FROG CAR
We have a ‘Frog’ car that is electric, and offers many advantages. Including reducing emissions, that contribute to climate change and smog, improving public health and reducing ecological damage. And, they are charged using renewable energy which minimises emissions even further.We have now installed an Electric Vehicle charging unit at our Head Office in Ascot. We have had one for several years at our factory in Pontypool.
TURN OFF WHEN NOT IN USE
When the company closes for the day, we turn off items that don’t need to be on for the evening. We are conscious not to have the heating on unnecessarily, and screens, lights and equipment are turned off.
DECARBONISATION
We have significant & ethical responsibility in our overall ambition to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint. Our decarbonisation project, which was initiated in August 2020, is to help us find ways to extend the useful life of our bicycles and their components. This includes:
Increasing the number of uses for each bicycle
Reusing and remanufacturing componentry to extend their life
Recycling materials when each bike reaches the end of its useful life
These changes will deliver substantial carbon savings by using fewer new materials (especially aluminium) within the supply chain, and by reducing the distance that materials are shipped around the globe. Find out more about the decarbonisation project here >>
COMMITTED TO REACHING NET-ZERO EMISSIONS
Recognising that climate change poses a threat to the economy, nature and society-at-large, we are serious about the climate emergency, which is why we’ve just committed via the SME Climate Hub to halve our emissions before 2030 and reach net zero emissions before 2050! Taking climate action is an essential part of a business in this crucial decade of action. In doing so, we are proud to be recognised by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign, and join governments, businesses, cities, regions, and universities around the world that share the same mission.
ZERO EMISSION OCEAN SHIPPING BY 2040
In line with our climate goals, we’ve joined the coZEV group (Cargo Owners for Zero Emissions Vessels) and plan to transition to zero-emission ocean shipping for all our products by 2040.
Frog’s intention is to show a clear signal to shipping companies and the investment community that we want decarbonisation in this sector and to call on governments to make policy changes to support this transition. All of which will contribute to helping green up the delivery of our products to your doorsteps.
MOT TEST PILOT SCHEME
At the beginning of February 2021, we launched an MOT test pilot scheme, to give used Frog Bikes a health check, in order to help keep used bikes in operation for longer. The scheme was initially rolled-out to 6 bike stores. The MOT inspection checks for damage, wear and tear and potential repairs of adjustments on 20 key safety points across the bike, to keep kids road-safe and in the saddle.
Find out more about the MOT pilot scheme here >>
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
We are not just concerned with instilling the love of cycling from a young age to ensure an active and healthy future generation, we are also on a journey to encourage a more sustainable bicycle industry and to protect our planet for our children's children.
We support 3 charities each year that we feel do amazing work for the protection of the planet, family and children’s health, and increasing the accessibility of cycling. This year we are supporting these charities:
MAGIC BREAKFAST
Magic Breakfast is a registered charity whose goal is to end hunger as a barrier to education in UK schools through the provisions of healthy breakfasts to children living with food poverty.
THE YOUNG PEOPLE’S TRUST FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
The Young People's Trust for the Environment is a charity dedicated to educating young people on the importance of looking after our environment and living by sustainable methods.
RE-CYCLE
Re-Cycle receives used bikes in the UK and donates them to trusted partners in Africa. The ethos behind their work is sustainability. Working in partnership with four organisations across four different African countries, each one doing something inspiring and empowering with the bicycles that are sent to them.
Find out more about our social responsibility here >>
EXTENDING THE LIFE OF FROG BIKES
In the interest of extending the life of Frog Bikes, we offer an alternative route to becoming a Frog owner. Both our Factory in Wales and many of our stockists offer pre-loved, refurbished or slightly imperfect Frog Bikes at a reduced cost. At this time Factory Outlet bikes are only available in the UK.
Find out more about our Factory Outlet and Pre-Loved bikes here >>
OUR COMPANY VALUES
Sustainability is part of our DNA at work and at home. We truly respect our planet, not just for today, but for future generations.
We are committed to addressing the global challenges we face including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice, as defined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals - to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.
Take a look at two of our newly refined Company Values:
PEOPLE
We collaborate to find solutions, communicating respectfully with honesty, humility and integrity looking forward with positivity to the future.
PLANET
We protect our natural resources by integrating sustainability into all aspects of our lives, sharing best practice both at home and at work.Find out more about our new Company Values here >>