RECYCLE
We bear responsibility in society's overall fight for climate and environmental protection. Although we are committed to the mobility transition on a daily basis due to our industry and thus also to a lower CO2 footprint on the roads, we also have an ecological footprint. This is because we are part of a company that manufactures bicycles and bicycle parts at various production sites.
The good news is that our parent company, Hermann Hartje KG, and we, the team behind the CONTEC brand, have already established many measures to keep this footprint as small as possible. This is our contribution to environmental and climate protection.
This is what CONTEC stands for
Our guiding principle is that we want to give every cyclist the opportunity to customize and repair their bike. After all, why should we always replace or even dispose of our old bike straight away instead of upgrading it with accessories and repairing it with wearing parts? It's time to rethink!
To help you overcome the hurdle of minor to major maintenance work, we have placed an extensive collection of “how-to's” on our website. We will guide you step by step through replacing a broken chain, patching a tire or replacing a cracking bottom bracket. If you still can't get to grips with fixing it yourself, there are a number of CONTEC partners in your area where you can take your broken bike for repair.
Packaging: Paper instead of plastic
Did you know that we have been doing away with plastic as much as possible in our packaging since 2021? We're not just doing this for our new parts. Our existing products, some of which may still be in circulation at specialist retailers in their old packaging, have also been delivered in new, plastic-free packaging since this changeover.
Speaking of delivery! What you don't necessarily see as an end consumer, but which is also an environmentally friendly measure at CONTEC and HARTJE, is that we do not use new cardboard boxes for the delivery of our bicycle parts to specialist dealers. Instead, all boxes are collected by our suppliers and then filled with the ordered products so that as little waste paper as possible is produced. Our result: we use more than 80 % used cardboard boxes when shipping parts!
Where new packaging is required, we use material that has been recycled from paper recycling: Shipping bags made from the cellulose glassine, air cushioning made from paper instead of plastic and paper adhesive tape are all part of our repertoire.
The bags for our small parts are made from 100% recycled plastic of the lowest possible material thickness. After use, they are returned to the recycling cycle.
CONTEC RECYCLE program: Products made from recycled materials
Every year on July 1st, we launch a large selection of new bicycle parts, new bicycle accessories and new bicycle workshop supplies. For several years now, our four-person product management team has been working on developing more sustainable alternatives for the majority of our new parts. This project has already resulted in many products and in some cases entire series that are made from recycled materials and/or are produced in a more environmentally friendly way. These products are marketed under our “RECYCLE” label.
Helmets
Our entire range of helmets includes models that are largely made from recycled materials. These come from different sources: The visors, for example, are made from marine plastic and the straps from recycled PET bottles. We use water-based paints to paint the helmets as a more environmentally friendly alternative.
Saddles
If you turn the CONTEC saddles from the Anatomic, Sonic, Logic and Majestic series upside down, you can take a look at their inner workings. This consists of 100% recycled PU foam, which is no longer used in other production processes and would otherwise be disposed of. The high-density PU foam and the other components of our saddles, which are made from recycled materials, make our 25 models sustainable alternatives to conventional saddles.
Pannier bags
Our Via collection includes practical bags for your everyday commute, stylish shopping basket bags and large-volume storage options for your multi-day bike trip. The best thing about them? They're made with 100% recycled and water-repellent polyester!
Grips
In our range of grips, you will find suitable models for your individual comfort requirements. If you are specifically looking for grips that are produced more sustainably, we also have something for you! The Blaze R and Bolt R mountain bike grips are made from a recycled plastic and rubber mix and have clamping rings made from recycled aluminum. If you are looking for city/touring grips, we can recommend our Glide models: these are made from fully recycled silicone - a material that is particularly pleasant on the skin, does not stick and at the same time offers a high level of grip.
