Our actions today
Designing
timeless collections
In order to prolong the life of the product, we decided to disconnect our collections from the seasons by choosing an effective, timeless style. We like the idea of creating "timeless products" to combat fast fashion and over-consumption. Clean lines, light colors: thanks to this timeless urban style, SNAP has succeeded in creating new codes for climbing.
Use only
eco-designed fabrics
In 2017, SNAP took a new turn by bringing the arkose&co group into its capital. This merger breathed new life into SNAP, which released its first WEAR collection in 2018 and managed to replace all its fabrics and materials with eco-designed or bio-sourced materials in less than a year. What's more, to avoid wasting material, some small luggage products are made from crash pads or bag fabrics, such as the "Wallet" or the "Pouch".
Strengthen our
ecological awareness
We have set up a partnership with the CSR consultancy Aircoop to train not only our product managers, but all those involved in the development of SNAP products, in how best to respect our environment. Following brainstorming sessions on improving our impact, we have listed our short- and medium-term objectives. A 2019 carbon footprint for all arkose&co brands will enable us to define priority objectives for 2020.
Our actions today
Towards a production
that makes sense
Would moving to Portugal be a good idea? Perhaps for some locally available fabrics, such as organic cotton. So, in 2021, we're testing "capsule collections" in limited series, to get to know the garment-making workshop, and check whether the time and efficiency savings offset the higher cost of manufacturing the garment.Our workshops support us, but we also want to help a company develop its CSR policy. Advice, friendly audits, incentives: our levers are many and everyone understands the importance of nurturing these partnerships that help us grow together. In 2021, we aim to make progress in the following areas...
Investing in research
for new materials
Elastane is an essential element in the technicality of our products, and it's hard to do without it if you want to keep bi-stretch, the novelty that makes our pants so versatile! However, we are studying candidates for its replacement: in recycled form or with different weaves, mixing soft, natural materials like tencel.Our SNAP holds are traditionally made from PU (polyurethane) and resin. Today, there is absolutely no alternative for the same purpose, as wood remains a heavy, expensive and therefore rarely used material, and never pure either. We have launched several R&D projects to change this. PU recycling, new alloys, certain still-secret materials... we're taking one step at a time to make our industry and our sport cleaner.
Implementing a sustainable logistics
Polybags... those individual plastic bags that protect clothes... we don't want them anymore! We've already decided to make them out of recycled polyester. The next step is to get rid of them for good, and find a solution that protects your clothes when they're delivered to the stores, while saving as much packaging as possible.The management of unsold stock is one of the textile industry's major problems... refusing sales and focusing on the longevity of collections is one of the solutions we've chosen to put in place to limit unsold stock. But when we do, we prefer to donate them to associations. For our first operation this year on 2018 products, we'll be working with Climbaid. At least those stocks will be useful to someone!A durable product is one that can be repaired. It's with this in mind that we're thinking about the reparability of our products right from the design stage, ensuring, for example, that we have stocks of fabrics, accessories... but also, and above all, a network of professionals capable of refurbishing used products! This is already possible in the Annecy region (French Alps), and our goal for 2021 is to develop this capacity outside France.To be continued...
