sustainability

World Ocean Day

Voices worth listening to

Today is “World Ocean Day”, and it’s nice to see that we celebrate the earth or the ocean without really understanding what it means. Indeed, we discard garbage in the oceans, too.

Mario Tozzi, a geologist and absolutely great scientific communicator, recently wrote a critical article: in regards to climate change as scientists were not pushing enough to make people understand the urgency.

In his tv show, “Sapiens”, he said that our robbery of the planet’s resources has severe consequences. Every year, we deplete the resources available until December 31st – the overshoot day – much earlier.

Then, he added:
If the climate emergency is so dramatic, why do we not worry?
First, we do not see the climate, and we cannot give it a precise connotation. Therefore, we do not relate the consequences to the causes such as migrations and drought. We don’t see the connections.

Second, we are an overbearing species based on the accumulation of resources. A behaviour that will leave someone with resources, and many others without resources.

World Ocean Day


Moreover, to mitigate climate change, we should renounce something, but we – the sapiens – don’t like giving things up!

He also shared a documentary by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, who said that if we do not act now, by 2070, 1/3 of humanity could live in desertic areas like the Sahara. And 3 billion people could not live in their homes.

We wonder, if we complain about migration now, what will happen then?

However, the two most polluting elements, which need immediate action, are heating systems and intensive farming. In the end, it is clear that our lifestyle – entirely – is not sustainable. So we find it depressing to see people who clean their conscience by purchasing sustainable labelled clothing. It looks like you can buy sustainability, and fashion is the only problem when the issue is way bigger.

These are just two strong statements Arthus-Bertrand pronounced:

“We cannot have infinite growth in a finite world.”

“We live in a world of garbage.”

Yes, even the oceans are full of plastic, so we celebrate “World Ocean Day!”

What else are we waiting for?

World Ocean Day Read More »

The truth about sustainability

No rules but much fluff!

Labelling products as sustainable is mainly a marketing trick, so let’s uncover the truth about sustainability. Although people believe that products marketed as sustainable are effectively so, the reality is much different. And when renowned experts in the field point it out clearly, we really appreciate it.

The Portas Pov is one of our favourite newsletters. The last one released was about sustainability and how tricky the topic is.
We quote it:

“But the reality is that, right here and now, there are no rules: no governance defining all those fluffy green terms. No legislation keeping businesses in check. So, all these words and phrases that the fashion world is co-opting with such success – sustainable, natural, “made from ocean plastics” – are, in large part, meaningless.”

The truth: sustainability or greenwashing?

So is it sustainability or greenwashing? A transparent message or a trick to sell more?

Indeed, there is no interruption with our previous post about a very timely and provocative show: “The end of the world.”

In fact, the story continues right on the same line where two main factors strive: first, the lack of responsibility. Whatever we do, we do not hold ourselves accountable. Like we could go on wasting, polluting, discarding, and then maybe move to another planet. Or, we just do not care about leaving an open-air landfill to our children. Enjoy life and leave them the troubles!
Second, is our industrial society or an economic system known as capitalism. This, in other words, means constant growth based on unstoppable productions and rabid consuming habits.

One factor is ingrained into the other: an eternal lack of responsibility coexists with a capitalistic society. And one supports the other.

Whatever the political side, governments will hardly have the capability to do something because those who move the pawns are the ones who own the money. They stay behind but will never change because they have no interest in doing it.

How to change

Labelling products as sustainable will not change things. Indeed, these are just meaningless claims. If we want to be 100% sustainable, the truth is we should not produce a single new thing! Which is impossible.

Therefore, the best possibility is to change ourselves, our behaviour, our perspectives, and our lifestyle. Sticking to our values and our accountability is where our power resides.

Don’t buy everything!

The truth about sustainability Read More »

The end of the world is here!

Ready to party?

The end of the world or when we have touched the point of no return is perceived differently. But these are facts, and we’re all invited to the party!

There are thoughts and ideas in the air that touch certain people, connecting and making them feel somehow similar. The environmental emergency is one of these. Indeed, a topic we have discussed many times, even before starting this blog.

And so, we were pleased to receive the invitation from Lab121 to the play “The end of the world” (script by Fabrizio Sinisi, directed by Claudio Autelli), staged at the Franco Parenti Theatre (Porta Romana district).

The end of the world!

It is the story of a contemporary Venice in a dystopic future in which, due to global warming, the lagunar city faces its last day before sinking. Well, call it a dystopic future if you wish!

The catastrophe weaves together the stories of the four characters, two brothers and two sisters. Luca, an actor (Umberto Terruso); Dora, his colleague and former fiancé (Alice Spisa); Diego (Angelo Tronca), Luca’s brother hospitalised in a mental institution; and Atena (Anahì Traversi), an environmental activist and partner of a tycoon and philanthropist.
So, in a game of brilliant intersections, global warming mirrors personal tragedies and vice-versa. And the narrative revolves around a party for the end of the world!

Indeed, the play triggers intense emotions and bitter laughter. It is a pondering on our lifestyle, a poignant, desecrating and, at times, irritating narrative on the lack of responsibility of the generations that preceded us. But ours too! People who have lived by ignoring what could have been the effect of their actions on the environment. Also, the show addresses the resistance to change in the industrialised world even when a catastrophe is tangible. Highlighting, in fact, the expression of an egoistic view, where people live avoiding any worries.

Of course, this show is totally in tune with all the posts we have written so far, at the cost of being annoying, boring or alarmist. And with the new path that we have decided to take because of the pandemic: change. Change because life is about change, evolution, and growth. But what makes the difference is the moment you realise you have to act. Going from words, or pure marketing, which are of little use, to facts and actions.
Those little actions that, put together, can lead to something bigger.

Now the change is up to us!

Let’s celebrate!

“The Real has won
officially won
we can finally
stop fighting.
A possible catastrophe creates anxiety,
but a sure catastrophe, instead, creates joy.
Best wishes and congratulations “

Check the following dates here
And enjoy the end of the world!

The end of the world is here! Read More »

The Rubber Band Eco Bag

Minimal design #formodernhumans

Today we introduce The Rubber Band Eco Bag – by ZUCCa.

It is a pocketable eco bag with a minimal and functional design that will add a modern touch to your style. Although part of the Spring-Summer collection, it is a seasonless accessory. And you can carry it with you as your main handbag, when you want something lightweight, or as an extra bag.

About the design
There is a colour block rubber band with a logo in the centre, and if you fold it around the rubber and turn it over, it will become a compact pocketable size. When folded up, thanks to a carabiner hidden under the rubber band, you can hang it on other bags and carry it around. So you’ll have it always on hand when you need it.

About the material
This shopping bag is made from a recycled polyester fabric made from recycled PET bottles.

The Rubber Band Eco Bag
The Rubber Band Eco Bag
by ZUCCa

Perhaps by recycling, we will not save the world, but it is a good choice since we are surrounded by plastic. And so, giving new life and new forms to PET is just one of the possibilities we should implement to reduce our impact on the environment.

About the colour
We picked out three different combinations. There is a chic version in grey with a fluo light green rubber band. But there are also vivid colours such as yellow with a white rubber band and purple with a turquoise rubber band.

Sizes
H50 W30 D10
Big enough to carry an A4 size file.

Laundry
Hand washable, easy-care.
Wash by hand in cold water.

Eco tip: having with you an additional bag is a thoughtful strategy to avoid taking shoppers from retailers. So, you just use and reuse yours.

The Rubber Band Eco Bag is cool and practical. Also, this accessory can be a lovely gift.

Drop us a message for any further information. We’d love to assist you!

The Rubber Band Eco Bag Read More »

Earth day?

Mass marketing, hashtags and behaviour

On April 22, while everyone proudly shared the hashtag Earth Day, the news said that in Europe, six million tons of garments end up in landfills every year. Yes, it’s not a good moment to read newspapers because whatever the field, humans are not shining for responsible behaviour.

Even if we feel very sad about that news, we are not surprised. Indeed one of our latest posts was about the lack of coherence in our society. And scrolling through our blog, you’ll find many other posts on this topic. On the one hand, people talk like they care about sustainability, while on the other, they buy fast fashion or any cheap product. The habit is ‘consume and throw away’ quickly.

In general, sustainability sells, and if it’s greenwashing, it sells even more!

Earth Day & the culture of waste

This matter has to do with the ‘buy and toss’ culture launched, promoted and pushed by corporations. They did it intentionally by using persuasion and with the help of marketing. Yes, marketing can do magic! Furthermore, knowing they could count not only on the weakness of individuals but also on people who don’t read and don’t think at all.

This is the modern way of purchasing clothing which is also done via Instagram or TikTok. The cheapest ones are the most successful. “It’s cheap, I buy it, I’ll wear it once and throw it away!”
What if they will not wear it? They won’t feel guilty getting rid of it because it’s cheap. In fact, there are garments still with the price tag in landfills!

That is toxic behaviour that tells a lot about the decadence of European culture. Our parents and grandparents used to buy a few quality clothes that lasted a lifetime, got repaired and passed on to the other family members. Now, people buy very cheap products made to auto destroy in the shortest time possible. And which, unfortunately, don’t disappear but instead compromise our environment.

If we do not refocus our culture, if we are not open to change, and put some effort into shifting our consuming habits, it’s better to avoid the hashtag to celebrate Earth Day.

Hashtags work for marketing but will not save the earth. Our actions will.

Earth day? Read More »