A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) measures the environmental impact of a product throughout its entire life cycle. Rather than looking only at manufacturing, it considers every stage: from raw material extraction and material production to assembly, packaging, transport, delivery, use and, ultimately, end-of-life waste processing.

For each stage, we assess its environmental impact by looking at factors such as the materials used, the weight of the product and how each component is manufactured. Using a specially developed calculation tool, we then determine the product's overall environmental impact.

This provides insight into its CO₂e emissions, energy consumption and water consumption throughout every stage of its life cycle. These insights help us make better decisions and continuously reduce the impact of our products.

Our methodology report explains exactly which stages were included in the assessment and which assumptions were used.

Read the methodology report here.

The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) calculation tool we use was developed by independent sustainability experts at New Alchemists. It was subsequently verified by Rebel Group, an independent consultancy specialising in sustainability.

Read Rebel's verification report here.

Thanks to our LCA calculation tool, we now understand the environmental impact of every product in the MYSTIQUE collection. This impact has been calculated across the key stages of the product life cycle: from raw materials, material production and manufacturing to packaging, transport, delivery and end-of-life waste processing.

For our MYSTIQUE Cabin Suitcase, the environmental impact amounts to 27.5 kg CO₂e, 0.3 m³ of water and 391.0 kWh of energy.

As this page focuses specifically on CO₂ compensation, we'll take a closer look at CO₂e emissions below. A figure such as 27.5 kg of CO₂e can be difficult to visualise, so we've compared it with the emissions generated by different modes of transport. This shows approximately how many kilometres you would need to travel by plane, car or bus to produce a similar climate impact to one MYSTIQUE Cabin Suitcase.

Polycarbonate (PC) is a strong, lightweight material that offers excellent resistance to impact and high temperatures. The outer shell of our MYSTIQUE suitcases is made from 50% virgin PC and 50% pre-consumer recycled PC.

Producing polycarbonate has a higher environmental impact than ABS/PC, a material commonly used for hard-shell suitcases. Even so, we deliberately chose polycarbonate because it is stronger and lasts longer. This means a suitcase is less likely to need replacing, which we also consider to be a more sustainable choice.

For the lining of every suitcase, bag and accessory in the MYSTIQUE collection, we deliberately chose 100% post-consumer recycled PET. This material is made from PET waste that has already been used by consumers, such as plastic bottles.

We previously used post-consumer recycled PET in the suitcases of our Natura collection. With MYSTIQUE, we have extended its use to the lining across the entire collection.

Carbon compensation means offsetting the emissions you cannot yet avoid by investing in climate projects. These projects prevent, reduce or remove an equivalent amount of CO₂ emissions elsewhere, for example through tree planting or renewable energy generation.

For us, reducing our CO₂e emissions will always remain the priority. Carbon compensation is a way of taking responsibility for the emissions that remain.

We have compensated for the calculated CO₂e emissions generated during the development, material production, manufacturing, packaging and transport of every product in the MYSTIQUE collection. This also includes the home delivery of your suitcase, bag or accessory, as well as end-of-life waste processing.*

*The use phase, manual assembly and storage itself are not included in the calculation. Transport to and from storage facilities is included. For home delivery, we used a standard assumption based on the distance between our warehouse in Groningen and a delivery address in Amsterdam.

We compensate our CO₂e emissions through FairClimateFund. Since 2009, this organisation has supported people who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change by investing in CO₂ reduction projects with significant social impact, including cleaner cooking initiatives and tree-planting programmes. These projects reduce CO₂ emissions and comply with the requirements of the Gold Standard and/or the Fairtrade Climate Standard.

This combination of climate action and social impact aligns closely with our sustainability vision. Wherever possible, we choose projects that not only reduce environmental impact but also contribute to social and economic progress, particularly for women.

The total calculated CO₂e emissions of the MYSTIQUE collection amount to 413.1 tonnes. For every tonne of CO₂e, we purchase one carbon credit through FairClimateFund at a fair (Fairtrade) price. In total, we invested €9,108.

On our behalf, FairClimateFund invests this amount in the Cookstoves for Women project in India. By introducing more efficient cooking stoves, less firewood is needed, resulting in lower CO₂ emissions. The project also contributes to better health, a cleaner living environment and stronger economic opportunities for local communities. In addition, it helps improve climate resilience in rural areas and strengthens female leadership through the SHE Schools programme.

Read more about the Bachat Project.

View the certificate here.