Sustainability
according to Remmert
Face to face with Antonella Martinetto
What are the main steps you have taken towards sustainability?
As we all know by now, sustainability is based on three main principles: ecosystem integrity, economic efficiency, social equity. Remmert has been operating in the textile sector since 1874 solely in Italy and this says a lot about the latter principle: you can’t survive for 150 years as a company if you don’t pay your dues and you don’t create a healthy and ethical workplace. For Remmert, ecosystem integrity means working on production cycles, cutting the environmental impact of emissions, controlling dyeing phases and monitoring chemical risks. Finally, the use of FSC material, GOTS cotton or ‘virtuous’ fibres is important but, whether the big groups, with their large volumes, are sensitive to the importance of the origin of materials, that is not the case for the majority of the textile industry. Economic efficiency through the use of recycled materials is still a goal to be achieved, in short, there is a lot still to be done.
What is your approach towards eco certifications?
For years now, we have worked with a specialised company to obtain sustainable certifications. It is not easy, and there is certainly a great deal of confusion in this area, but, as is always the case when embarking on a new path, there will come a time when certain practices become the norm and everything, I hope, stabilises. It will not be so hard to source eco-materials or dispose of textile waste and our high-performing, high-standard businesses will thrive!
How do you communicate your ‘green’ policies?
Clearly in this first phase, businesses like Remmert who have started on this path need more visibility, partly because, let’s admit it, the costs in terms of time and money are high, so the ‘virtuous qualities’ that set us apart need to be rewarded. So, any form of effective publicity and marketing is welcome.
