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A SOLE MADE FROM RECYCLED BENJIE SHOES
Published : 02/28/2024 | Categories : BetterAfter more than a year and a half's work, we are pleased to announce the launch of our first model equipped with a sole made from old, recycled Benjie shoes. It's a minor achievement, given the scale of today's climate change challenge, but it's a major step forward in terms of recycling, and fundamental to our understanding of the issues involved.
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BLACK FRIDAY, FOR OR AGAINST?
Published : 11/30/2023 | Categories : AdventureNOVEMBER 2023
EVERY YEAR, OPINIONS DIFFER ON THE QUESTION.
HERE'S SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT ON WHY WE'D RATHER NOT PARTICIPATE.
Once again this year, we've taken a step back to reflect on the impact of Black Friday, a period often associated with impulse buying.
There's no doubt that Black Friday, with its intensive marketing, encourages a form of over-consumption and therefore waste. Every year, Switzerland exports some 70,000 tonnes of used clothing and footwear to open-air dumps in Africa. Figures that make your head spin! (UNIGE 2023 Report - Sustainable fashion for Geneva?)
This goes against the sobriety needed to solve a central problem that everyone is talking about today: global warming. And yet, to reduce greenhouse gas levels, we need to limit production, because in our industry, it's the use of machines that accounts for 70% of greenhouse gases (McKinsey 2020 study - see note below).
Sales are, of course, essential to any commercial activity, as they enable us to manage unsold stock. However, we see this as very different from a special operation like Black Friday, which encourages customers to buy in a hurry.
From now on, we prefer to highlight our collection actions for recycling, an initiative we've been running year-round since 2016. If this idea appeals to you, we'd be delighted to receive your used Benjies, so that we can try to recycle them.
*According to the preparatory report for COP 28 (dec 2023), countries' current commitments lead to a 2% reduction in emissions between 2019 and 2030, instead of the 43% recommended to limit warming to 1.5°C. In other words, reduction is not happening at all. -
DONATED OR RECYCLED, ALL BENJIE HAVE A SECOND LIFE.
Published : 11/16/2022 | Categories : BetterHow can we increase the life span of our shoes? We have a two-drawer solution: the first social, the second environmental. The pairs that are in good condition are given to the Vestiaire Social of the CSP / Caritas in Geneva. Those that are too damaged are used to make new Benjie! soles.
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More than 30.000 CHF to manufacture our future recycled soles!
Published : 07/06/2022 | Categories : AdventureJUNE 2022
33'820 CHF ! This is the amount we managed to collect thanks to the precious support of 88 contributors!
HUGE THANKS TO :
Alejandra, Alexandra, Alexis, Alfred, Anaïs, Anne, Antonia, Aude , Aurélie, Béatrice, Bénédicte, Bernard, Camila, Camille, Caroline, Catherine, Céline, Chloé, Christine, Claude, Delphine, Diana, Diane, Elisabeth, Elliott, Emilie, Eric, Estelle, Florence, François, Frédérique, Galina, Géraldine, Isabelle, Janique, Jean-Christophe, Jessica, Jonathan, Julie, Kathleen, Laetitia, Laura, Laurence , Lilibeth, Mag, Magali, Manuela, Marianne, Marie-Paule, Marisol, Marlène, Matilde, Melissa, Michael, Miryam, Nadine, Nathalie, Nicole, Olivia, Olivier, Pascale, Pia, Pierre, Pierre-Marie, Rachel, Rosella, Solange, Solène, Sophie, Stéphane, Tatiana, Thomas, Vanessa, Virginie, Viridiana, Youri
This amount will allow us to make the molds for the production of a completely new kind of soles! These new soles will be made by crushing old Benjie shoes (we will just remove the metal), to obtain a powder which, mixed with latex, will be used to make a new sole!
We will keep you updated on the project. The next step is the realization of a prototype by the end of the year, then if all goes well, the first soles will arrive with the winter 2023 collection!
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OUR STATE OF PLAY ON THE ORIGIN AND PRODUCTION OF BENJIE
Published : 06/23/2022 | Categories : Betterhttps://benjie.ch/en/blog/can-leather-be-compatible-with-a-responsible-approach-n42For the purposes of B-Corp certification, we undertook a long journey into the heart of the traceability of our shoes. That's one of the many good things about this certification: it pushes us to dig deep and get to the bottom of things...
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A PAIR OF BENJIE COSTS AN AVERAGE OF 100.- AND YET IT IS NOT EXPENSIVE...
Published : 06/22/2022 | Categories : BetterA pair from fast fashion costs about 70% less than a pair of Benjie. A pair from a sports equipment manufacturer costs 50% to 30% less than a pair from Benjie.
What explains these differences? Is it worth investing in a good shoe for children? We give you some ideas to think about and understand here.
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THE SWISS RECYCLED FLAG: TREAT YOURSELF TO A UNIQUE WORK
Published : 05/10/2022 | Categories : AdventureMAY 2022
For the crowdfunding, Christian who creates and designs Benjie shoes and who is passionate about art, let his creativity go to create a unique object around Switzerland and our recycling project. The Swiss Recycled Flag was born. This signed, numbered and limited to 10 copies is a unique original creation. Specially imagined and created around the crowdfunding project, the federal cross is made of powder from our crushed shoes.
This superb object is available in 2 sizes, Small size: dimensions 35cm x 35 cm x 2cm. Large size: dimensions 50cm x 50cm x 3cm. Material: plexiglass, shoe waste. Handmade in Guimarães in the North of Portugal.
Only 10 numbered copies of each size are available for sale. You can order them and support our recycling project here.
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WE ARE B-CORP CERTIFIED!
Published : 03/28/2022 | Categories : BetterOn March 7, 2022, Benjie became one of the first brands in the world specializing in children's shoes to be B Corp certified! We join the 4500 companies that are certified on the planet and the 63 in Switzerland!
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No black friday but a BACK friday!
Published : 11/22/2021 | Categories : AdventureNOVEMBER 2021
At Benjie, no Black Friday, but BACK FRIDAY! During this week of unbridled promotions, we prefer to push our permanent action of collecting used shoes for charity.
Take an active part in our BACK FRIDAY by bringing us back this week a maximum of old shoes: Benjie brand or others, children or adults, we take everything! (please tie them together if possible).
Every year more than 20 million pairs of shoes end up in the garbage in Switzerland... The reasons: over-consumption, bad quality, permanent promotions that give the feeling of always being in need of a good deal... Although we are a company that has to make a profit, we prefer not to participate in this day invented from scratch and which promotes unbridled consumption. Record to beat last year: 246 pairs. It's up to you!
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Benjie in the TTC show on RTS1
Published : 09/29/2021 | Categories : AdventureSEPTEMBER 2021
The cameras of RTS1's TTC program followed us to our factories north of Porto.
We can discover behind the scenes the manufacturing of a pair of Benjie. We understand the vitality of this economic sector which employs 1500 companies within a 50km radius.
We can also measure the importance of quality, traceability, worker protection and innovation in this country. We remain speechless when we discover the difference in cost between a shoe produced in China and one produced in Portugal...
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We have decided to start the B-CORP certification process!
Published : 07/19/2021 | Categories : BetterWe decided to apply to a social and environmental certification: B-Corp. Our idea is to structure our processes and to understand where we need to progress when it comes to our commitments. We also want to help our customers to better understand what is going on, because today everyone describes themselves as ethical...
At the time of writing, our application is being reviewed and we will have a return within 5 to 7 months. The result is uncertain but the 4 months we spent preparing our file have already given us so much that we wanted to share this first step with you!
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Producing in Portugal: why does it change (almost) everything?
Published : 06/01/2021 | Categories : BetterThe shoe industry is opaque and this has consequences on the workers. The large number of subcontractors and the geographical distribution of world production, concentrated in countries where control is not always easy, explains this state of affairs.
We have chosen to produce in Portugal since the beginning of the brand (10 years) and for 7 years in the same factory! This changes a lot of things objectively, but is it perfect? Is "made in Europe" infallible? Here is our current knowledge on the subject.
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BENJIE'S STORE IS 100% POWERED BY GREEN ENERGY
Published : 04/15/2021 | Categories : AdventureAPRIL 2021
It's finally done! The Benjie store will now consume the Vitale Vert energy 100% from SIG: 100% renewable and 100% local.
The price is almost similar: just 200 francs more according to our calculations. We were already consuming very little in our small 30m2 space. So how did not we change before? We wonder.... Until we honestly admit that we often continue to believe that these "micro" gestures are useless and that others will do them for us. Well... for electricity, this bad reflex is over. Now we must tackle with the others!
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FOYER-HANDICAP: BENJIE'S PRINTER!
Published : 03/31/2021 | Categories : AdventureMARCH 2021
It has been a long time that we wanted to work with the Foyer-Handicap Foundation... Well, it's now done! They now take care of our printing work for the Geneva store and for the website (posters, shipping materials...).
We used to print in Germany or Italy on large online platforms to save money. We do not regret our choice: quality is top (their slogan is not usurped), we support another Geneva-based company, there is little transport, and... above all... we feel like we are making a micro-contribution to doing something good. In short, the feeling of being aligned with our ideas.
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Recycled cotton for our children's shoes, the real good idea.
Published : 03/25/2021 | Categories : BetterWe were not very familiar with cotton. It's a material that we very rarely find on our models. We mainly use it on our summer ranges, as outer lining for shoes and slippers.
Here we share our research and the reasons that led us to choose recycled cotton.
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CHARITY SALE
Published : 01/26/2021 | Categories : AdventureFEBRUARY 2021
In spite of the closing of our store, we thought about how to create an impulse of solidarity as we realize that some people are more in need than us during this period... We imagined an operation during the last 2 weeks of sales: for 2 pairs of Benjie bought, we offer a pair to a child in need at the Social Cloakroom of Caritas Geneva and the Protestant Social Center.
This is a circuit that seems to benefit everyone: a child will wear good shoes, our customers benefit from more products on sale during 2 more weeks, and this momentum supports us, as a local brand!
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KOWEIT CITY: FIRST BENJIE STORE OUTSIDE SWITZERLAND!
Published : 11/20/2020 | Categories : AdventureNOVEMBER 2020
Very sensitive to the quality and the design of our shoes, the customers of the golf course have been loyal to the brand for years. Kuwait, with its particular interest in new trends, is undoubtedly the most influential Gulf country in terms of fashion. It is therefore with great pride that we can now represent Switzerland, on our humble scale, in this part of the world!
With the opening of this store, a new stage is on! -
CRAWLING, BABIES
Published : 03/26/2020 | Categories : AdviceBetween 7 and 14 months.
Before the first steps, babies need a shoe or a flexible slipper aiming to protect the feet. Babies muscles are growing so that they will soon be walking.
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First steps
Published : 03/25/2020 | Categories : AdviceBetween 12 and approx. 18 months
When he starts to walk, the young kid needs a soft shoe to gain more equilibrium. He also need a little support on the heel for more comfort.
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MEASURING SIZES
Published : 03/21/2020 | Categories : AdviceWe shoe you how to check your shoe size. Very useful also if you wonder if it's time to buy new shoes !
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BENJIE CARE
Published : 03/20/2020 | Categories : AdviceEven though kids'feet are growing it is important to groom /take good care of their shoes. Flexibility, style and waterproof properties are the main reasons why !
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AESCHBACH STORES WELCOMES BENJIE SHOP IN SHOPS
Published : 06/05/2019 | Categories : AdventureJUNE 2019
Aesbach's brand means for all Swiss citizens quality and choice when byuing shoes. This Shoe Retailer is a century old Swiss company who has believed in Benjie since the beginning and has now strenghtened their commitment through a stronger partnership. Welcoming 3 Benjie shops in shops in Geneva, Chavannes and Lausanne store proves their stronger belief in our brand.
We share with you how the deal has been closed behind the scene !
See EPISOD 1: we get the appointment
See EPISOD 2: we go to the appointment
See EPISOD 3: we close the deal ! -
Limited edition Benjie x L'asticot
Published : 04/04/2019 | Categories : AdventureApril 2019
A project that we kept heartwarmed in our minds for a while: create a special collection together with another Swiss brand sharing the same entrepreneurial and ethical values than ours.
It is now done with the limited edition Benjie x l'Asticot. -
BENJIE TO SELL IN THE GERMAN-SPEAKING PART OF SWITZERLAND
Published : 03/21/2019 | Categories : AdventureMarch 2019
We got there ! Language is not a barrier for Benjie !
We are honoured to have been entrusted as a brand by Walder, shoe retailing company specializing in kids shoes in the other part of Switzerland.
You can now find Benjie shoes in Bale, Zürich, Lucerne or Wintertur ! -
BENJIE LAUNCHES TUTORIALS
Published : 10/11/2018 | Categories : AdventureOctober 2018
Our day-to-day job is to give parents advice on finding the right shoes for their children. How to share advice with those who cannot get them in our Geneva store ? By providing tutorials !
4 main items among the most frequently asked questions:
SEE measure the size of the child's foot
SEE when & how to start putting shoes to a child
SEE child's first shoes
SEE how to choose a good shoe -
3 CHILD DESIGNERS CREATE THEIR OWN BENJIE SHOE !
Published : 09/21/2018 | Categories : AdventureSeptember 2018
Further to the Crowdfunding, Elias, Alexia and Ludivine won the prize enabling them to create their own Benjie shoe.
After several months working on the design and finalization of the prototypes, the 3 young designers received their Benjie diploma !
Final shoes have been launched on the market in June 2020. -
BENJIE GETS 60'000 CHF TO START SELF-PRODUCING
Published : 06/23/2018 | Categories : AdventureJune 2018
A small young brand in a huge shoe market… is like a David versus Goliath battle !
In order to grow with serenity we needed to produce ourselves a part of our models. Without specific means, it was impossible to buy the machines.
We decided to launch a crowdfunding which helped us get 60'000 CHF in one month !
See the video of the project -
THE QOQA COMMUNITY CREATES A BENJIE
Published : 04/08/2017 | Categories : AdventureApril 2017
For a long time we had the wish to collaborate with our cool Qoqa friends.
In 2017 we did it and offered to the Qoqa's community to create their own Benjie Shoe.
See the shoe -
BENJIE TO LAUNCH THE
Published : 06/09/2016 | Categories : AdventureJune 2016
In order to celebrate the International Environment Day on June 22, Benjie decided to become a collect point for the recycling of old shoes.
This idea arose from a simple fact: rather than accumulating old shoes at home or throwing them away why not offer them a second life after recycling.
In order to extend their life cycle, shoes are being reshaped and sold on the second-hand market with benefits being given to charity organizations in Switzerland.
A social and environmental added-value.
See the video of the project. -
BENJIE BY VICTORIA FOR CANSEARCH
Published : 04/09/2016 | Categories : AdventureApril 2016
The Cansearch Association has been founded and led by Professor Ansari, who is head of children's cancers department in HUG hospital in Geneva.
Benjie launched the operation "let's give a kick to children's cancer" and could raise more than 15'000 CHF for the association.
The concept: give the opportunity to a young girl followed by Professor Ansari to customize a Benjie sneaker which would then be produced in limited edition and sold through Benjie's retailing network.
See the video of the project. -
BENJIE TO OPEN ITS FIRST SHOP IN GENEVA
Published : 05/16/2015 | Categories : AdventureMay 2015
Since the creation of the brand our main objective was to open our first own store.
All of us have been fully involved, inclufing Benjamin & Jérémie.
With this store opening we are in direct contact with our customers and we can learn a lot from kids & parents' feedback in order to create shoes really corresponding to their needs.
How to get to the store -
BENJIE TO WIN GENILEM'S COACHING
Published : 09/16/2014 | Categories : AdventureSeptember 2014
After several months of project preparation the Benjie team faces the Genilem Jury and gets selected !
Happy Few ! Only 10 projects are chosen each year by Genilem out of 200 applicants.
We received our diplomas from Mr Armand Lombard and Mrs Aline Yazgi. -
JULIEN KERVIO JOINS THE BENJIE ADVENTURE
Published : 06/16/2014 | Categories : AdventureJune 2014
Julien who is also a father of 2 kids, Maya and Mael, joins the adventure !
He has known Christian for a few years with another job and he finds out about Benjie as their travel together on a business trip.
This is a coincidence with Julien's family history as his great grand-father (center of the picture) owned a shoe-repair shop in the 19th century in Verrières-le-Buisson, 20km South of Paris. -
FIRST MODELS, FIRST SALES
Published : 11/25/2013 | Categories : Adventure2012-2013
Thanks to his extensive night & w-end working hours Christian manages to launch his first shoe prototypes and to make the first soles from his molds.
He gets precious advice from Dr Marino Delmi, Orthopedic Surgeon in Geneva.
Christian sells his fist shoes to Aeschbach in Geneva who finds interest in this crazy project. This famous shoe retail-chain still sells Benjie shoes today.
A temporary Benjie Pop-up store is launched downtown Geneva. -
CHRISTIAN LAUNCHES BENJIE OF SWITZERLAND
Published : 12/31/2011 | Categories : AdventureMarch 2011
Christian Bagnoud, brand-new dad, cannot find nice shoes for his kids combining confort, style, quality and ethical manufacturing.
He has been a shoe passionate since he was a teenage and he decided to create Benjie of Switzerland in Crans-Montana where he was born, parallel to his job.
He names his brand after the names of his 2 sons, Benjamin and Jérémie
