Cima Coppi and Sustainability

The above illustration is a process tree for a new, locally distributed, wool garment. When we use recycled wool we eliminate all the process stages listed in red from our wool products. Instead, our product life-cycle starts in the final stage, the closed loop in green, which massively reduces the impact and animal handling that goes into each item. Why do we do this? Our vision is to provide truly sustainable bicycle products. We’re aware of the frustration that can result from business claims about being sustainable when it isn’t true, or worse, isn’t even close.

We are not a wholly sustainable manufacturer — yet. However, we understand the necessity for sustainable organizations. We also know that we have a strategic framework to plan from, and a thorough understanding of what sustainability is, to help us become one of these organizations. Beginning with our first strategic goal: #1 – Manufacture from recycled material, the vast majority of our jerseys and caps consist of: 100% recycled wool, 100% recycled plastic brims (caps), New thread and finishing materials such as zippers.

Our new wool is renewable and not made of petroleum. Our recycled wool is from manufacturing offcuts or pre-loved garments from yesteryear, and the brims for caps from your recycling. Please don’t yell at us if we are going through your waste, tell your mom we’re helping the planet! We are always searching for viable solutions to the new material sources, or more ethically sourced options than what we currently have, as issues such as animal handling are important to us.

Our second strategic goal is: #2 – Human needs and fair labor practices. We don’t manufacture our jerseys in third world markets for one-dollar-per-item for a good reason, it’s not fair. We pay local labor to make our items, at a fair wage, not minimum wage. We watch the Tour de France, we have an espresso machine and we listen to cool music, because that’s what you would want too.

Our illustration doesn’t address the complexities and impact of shipping, but we currently are, as our third strategic goal is: #3 – Carbon neutral distribution. We plan to achieve this through re-thinking our manufacturing and shipping practices, and we’re on our way to making it happen, but it’s going to take some time.

And the fourth strategic goal you ask? #4 – Cima Coppi will be powered with renewable energy. Check back for updates on the blog!