Trek has published its Sustainability Report 2023, detailing the company's findings and progress on key sustainability initiatives, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The report builds on the findings of Trek's 2021 Sustainability Report and highlights the company's progress. In its second partnership with WAP Sustainability Consulting, Trek examined a broader range of emissions categories, conducted lifecycle analysis, and looked at end-of-life and in-use impacts to provide a more accurate picture of overall emissions and create a clear starting point for reduction targets.

The new report includes ambitious near-term reduction targets that are in line with the Science Based Target Initiatives (SBTi): (1) reduce Scope 3 emissions by 30 percent by 2032, (2) reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 68 percent and (3) source all electricity from renewable sources by 2030. To reduce emissions, Trek will not purchase offsets, which may interfere with the important work of understanding and improving business practices and does not allow the company to control how this investment is used and whether it has a tangible benefit.

"Since our first report in 2021, we have made significant progress towards becoming a more sustainable company, but we have also discovered areas where progress can still be made. This analysis and self-reflection has further solidified our commitment to sustainability," says Eric Bjorling, Director of Brand at Trek Bicycle. "The second report transparently shows the results of our emissions analysis and the actions we intend to take to reduce our carbon footprint."

As a manufacturer, the majority of Trek's environmental impact comes from the raw materials used to make its products - categorized under Scope 3 emissions, which account for more than 95 percent of Trek's total emissions. Emissions audits and life cycle assessments (LCAs) helped the Trek team understand the current cost of carbon emissions and determine how to reduce emissions cumulatively across all products, their material composition and their manufacturing process.

Sustainable packaging

To reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, Trek is focusing on the challenges of operating a sustainable retail business, investing in areas such as green buildings and infrastructure improvements, as well as switching to electric transportation methods. Sourcing renewable energy is a key component of the sustainability commitment, and Trek is already working in this direction, with its entire headquarters and domestic manufacturing operations currently powered by renewable energy. To meet the 2030 goal set, Trek will purchase renewable energy credits (RECs) for each Trek-owned facility and look for opportunities to do the same for other facilities.

The report also details progress on the goals set out in the 2021 Sustainability Report.

Reducing packaging waste: By removing single-use plastic and foam from packaging, Trek has removed 247,945 kg of plastic waste from packaging annually since 2020.

Recycling e-bike batteries: Trek partnered with Call2Recycle in 2022 to ensure that e-bike users have an easy and responsible solution when their battery reaches the end of its useful life. To date, Trek dealers have helped ensure that over 3,128 kilograms of e-bike batteries have been properly recycled.

Products made from recycled materials: Trek has shifted from using textiles to making apparel from recycled materials such as plastic water bottles. These efforts have diverted 37,925 kilograms of material from landfills and put millions of discarded water bottles to better use.

Full sustainability report