News from the “Sympathy lab”: Sympatex and RICOSTA on joint recycling mission
The children’s shoe producer adapts its Sympatex line to recycled Sympatex material. A joint POS campaign teaches children plastic and recycling.
Munich / Donaueschingen, 19 February 2018 Sympatex Technologies starts a new initiative on sustainability with its long-standing customer RICOSTA: the ecological alternative amongst functional textile specialists provides the traditional company with completely recycled Symptex lining material for the field of children’s shoes for the next season. Thanks to this agreement, RICOSTA is the first manufacturer of children’s shoes which adapts its Sympatex line to completely recycled materials. Thus, RICOSTA and Sympatex jointly take the next step in their initiative on sustainability. This measure is completed by a joint POS campaign targeted at playfully teaching children plastic and recycling.
The linings which are recycled of up to 100% consist of GRS- (global recycled standard) or bluesign®-certified polyester fibres made out of recycled PET bottles. The life cycle assessment is excellent when comparing the production of 1 kg of used recycled polyester fibres with 1 kg of polyester fibres based on crude oil: 32% CO2 reduction, 60% energy saving and 94% less water consumption. Instead of 60 litres only about 3 litres of the rare resource are used.
In line with this, Sympatex has developed a compact children’s mini-book entitled “Sam and the plastic plan“ easily teaching children the importance of recycling. The booklet has been presented for the first time at ISPO Munich (28.01.-31.01.2018) at the Sympatex booth. Next winter season, it will additionally be a supplement to each pair of RICOSTA/Sympatex children’s shoes of the brands Pepino and RICOSTA as well as provided as a sales document for selected RICOSTA distributors.
“We think that the youngest of the next generation must have a say as well in ecological issues”, explains Dr. Rüdiger Fox, CEO of Sympatex Technologies. “Since if we don’t close the plastic cycle as soon as possible, they will already be the next generation which will find more plastic than fish in the oceans when they have become adults. And the textile industry can make a significant contribution“, adds Fox.
PR Contact:
Sympatex Technologies GmbH
Sonja Zajontz
Feringastraße 7A
85774 Unterföhring
Germany
Mail: sonja.zajontz@sympatex.com
Tel. : +49 (0)89 940058 300
About RICOSTA
As a family company, RICOSTA has been producing modern and high-quality children’s shoes for more than 45 years. Today, RICOSTA is one of the most successful and popular children’s shoe brands not only in Germany, but also internationally. Its skills speak for themselves: perfect fit and best comfort in a trend-oriented design. The collections are developed and partially also manufactured here in Donaueschingen. RICOSTA is one of very few shoe manufacturers manufacturing in Germany and at own certified locations in neighbouring European countries. RICOSTA has been a pioneer in the shoe industry in terms of sustainability and corporate social responsibility thanks to its clear commitment to ecology and fair working conditions.
About Sympatex
Guaranteed Green – The Sympatex climate-neutral and recyclable membrane
As one of the worldwide leading producers, Sympatex® Technologies has been a synonym for high-tech functional materials in clothing, footwear, accessories and technical fields of application since 1986. Together with selected partners, Sympatex develops, produces and distributes membranes, laminates and functional textiles as well as finished products worldwide. The Sympatex membrane is highly breathable, 100% wind- and waterproof and regulates the climate. It is 100% recyclable, bluesign® certified, and it received the 'Öko-Tex-Standard 100' certificate. It is also PTFE-free and PFC-free. The technologies and procedures are based on the principles of ecological responsibility and sustainability with a special focus on the optimal carbon footprint. Sympatex is represented worldwide with sales offices and branches. www.sympatex.com
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