CSR
Carlo Lanza's view on Corporate Social Responsibility
When Carlo Lanza's sock brand was launched, it was logical to start with the basics. What type of sock would we offer, in what colours and what would be the brand's image. Once that was determined, another 100 different issues were addressed. Along the way, we started to delve deeper into the impact we make as a company, because let's be honest: the fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world.
Below you can read the choices we made.
Footprint
We are working on a current calculation regarding the footprint of Carlo Lanza, or, the footprint that the production of Carlo Lanza socks leaves behind on this world. This with the aim of getting a clear picture of the CO2 emissions, to see where the pain points are and to determine where the profit lies to keep this impact as small as possible. We are doing this calculation together with the trade association Modint.
What has happened already?
OEKO-TEX®
OEKO-TEX® is a kind of health label for textiles. Within this label, maximum values of heavy metals, harmful dyes and crop protection products are tested in relation to use in the fashion sector. All men's socks by Carlo Lanza are produced within this label and the above-mentioned products are limited to a minimum.
Substances
For the production of our socks we work with Egyptian cotton & Merino wool. These 2 fabrics belong to the world top, but are also known for the water consumption that is needed to manufacture these fabrics into end products. At the moment we do not work with organic variants and/or recycled wool/cotton.
Italian production
As is known, all socks are produced in Italy. On the one hand because there is a family bond with this country, but also from the point of view of producing within Europe - and therefore as close as possible. Also, less distances have to be covered between the factory in Italy and the warehouse in the Netherlands.
Sock hangers
All the sock hooks used to hang socks in stores are made from recycled plastic. A fun fact is that these sock hooks are also produced in Italy.
Social employment provision
All Carlo Lanza socks are packed by a social work facility in Friesland. Within this day care, clients work on various assignments. For 1.5 years, they have also carefully packed all Carlo Lanza socks and all shipments are sent from here to customers. A very nice way to gain work experience as a possible stepping stone to a paid position.
Also for the annual gift boxes project there is a collaboration with a social workshop. In 2020 it was done at the same location, for 2021 a collaboration has been confirmed with a second social workshop.
Princess Máxima Center
In 2019, a fundraiser was held where €5,- was donated to the PMC for 500 pairs of socks. This was eventually achieved in a few months after which we were able to donate a check of €2500,- for further research into Childhood Cancer.
Collection of socks for the homeless
In 2019, a collection of socks for the homeless was held together with the Salvation Army. Not an unnecessary luxury in the run-up to the winter. Customers of Carlo Lanza donated old but still very usable socks and Carlo had very warm ski socks shipped from Italy. In the end, about 500 pairs were donated.
Conclusion
When we started over 5 years ago there was nothing. Development has been fast and will continue to accelerate. In the coming years, footprint and corporate social responsibility will remain high on the agenda. The desire is therefore certainly there to produce entirely with organic and/or recycled materials within a period of 1-2 years. This will be carefully investigated and together with the factory in Italy we will look for an affordable and the purest solution.
But of course there is more besides climate and that is the connection with people, with real projects and concrete actions. The above examples are for us at least as important besides protecting our planet.