RESPONSIBILITY
VISION
At IGEN, we work towards a more conscious way of developing and using products – and to inspire them to be used igen and igen.
We know that producing new stuff can never be fully sustainable. Production always has an impact. That's why our work isn't about being perfect but about taking responsibility for the choices we make and constantly finding new and more meaningful ways to create and run our business.
Although IGEN is still a young company, we have ambitions to grow with careful consideration. We continuously learn through experience and new knowledge, which means we adjust our products, materials, and collaborations along the way. For us, responsibility and sustainability are not about reaching a final destination, but about continuously reflecting on the choices we make – igen and iegn.
OUR CONTRIBUTION
Producing goods will always have an environmental impact. Therefore, our goal is not to eliminate the impact, but to understand, reduce, and take responsibility for it—step by step. We are continuously working to find new solutions, materials, and partnerships that can help change the way we create and sell our products.
We always aim to create products that meet needs, rather than products that create them. That's why our product development is often done in collaboration with our community. It’s important to us that our products make sense for those who use them – and are used igen and igen in everyday life.
Our goal is therefore to create timeless products that (hopefully) don’t go out of style, made from high-quality materials that require minimal maintenance.
No one is perfect, and neither are we. That’s why we continuously share what we are working on – also on our social media.
Here, we’ve gathered our initiatives, both big and small, in one place to give you an overview if you want to take a closer look behind the scenes at IGEN.
ORGANIZATION & DEVELOPMENT
IGEN does not participate in traditional sales days such as Black Friday or similar events. We believe in a more personal approach to sales.
Instead, we organize a few sales each year to celebrate milestones together with you, our customers and community. These events include IGEN's birthday, the founder's birthday, or other special occasions that mark important moments for the company.
For us, sales are a way to give back a little. A temporary price reduction makes our products accessible to more people without changing our choice of materials and production methods. By limiting sales to special occasions, we can uphold our principles while inviting more people into the IGEN universe.
When individual products are discounted, it is because we do not want to throw away fully functional items. We do not believe in quick bargains as part of the buy-and-throw-away culture, but we know that discounts are sometimes the most realistic way to get a product out there so that it can be used and loved igen and igen.
When we reduce the price, it is not intended as an incentive for impulse purchases, but as a way to ensure the products are used rather than going to waste. We therefore reduce the price until the products are sold – even if it sometimes means that we lose money on it. For us, it is about taking responsibility for the products we have already put into the world.
We do not use gamification such as countdowns on discount codes, discount wheels, or other mechanisms that create artificial urgency. When launching products, we use waiting lists to collect data for future productions and to give particularly interested customers the opportunity to access the products before everyone else. The waiting lists are intended as a service, not as added pressure.
Our sales must always be honest, transparent, and without hidden agendas. If you encounter misleading messages, we would always like to hear from you at hey@igen.dk.
For us, transparency is an important part of working more responsibly, both in relation to our products and to the culture we are part of every day. As a step in that direction, we have chosen to make our employee handbook publicly available.
Here, everyone can gain insight into the values and frameworks that characterize our work and community.
Find the handbook here.
At IGEN, we believe in the power of local collaborations. We work with Danish entrepreneurs and small businesses on events and photo shoots, everything from photographers to cafés, to create value in our local community.
Our founder, Louise Bjerre, is also involved in mentoring, writing, and giving presentations to support young people, especially young entrepreneurs, such as through Løvens Hule Junior—a Danish TV program like Shark Tank where young entrepreneurs pitch their ideas, businesses, and inventions to the “lions” in the hope of getting a mentor, such as Louise Bjerre, and support to develop their project.
Read more about our founder here.
At IGEN, we continuously invest in educating ourselves through courses and professional consultancy. Among other things, we have participated in the “Grønne Kompetencer” (i.e., green competences) programme through Erhvervshuset to gain insight into sustainable business practices and develop a plan of action for the coming years.
IGEN's founder, Louise Bjerre, has also visited the European Commission to learn more about circular economy, product passports, and initiatives that support sustainability on a global level. Additionally, Louise has contributed to Copenhagen's climate plan and to discussions on how to best achieve global sustainability goals.
We believe that knowledge grows in community, and we look forward to continuing to participate in initiatives and collaborations where we can learn new things, challenge ourselves, and become wiser about how we can develop in an increasingly responsible direction.
