Zip major YKK 'Walks the Talk' on sustainability

As a global market leader of quality zippers and other fastening solutions, YKK is operating under ISO 14001 and its main product lines comply with the Oeko-Tex standards. In 2013 the company announced it had joined the bluesign system.

Today however, the textile industry is moving from being passively compliant to taking responsibility and become sustainable.

As part of its business philosophy - Cycle of Goodness, ‘No one prospers unless he renders benefit to others’, YKK Group aims to contribute to local communities and to work toward a sustainable society in cooperation with customers, employees and local communities.

Supported by well-recognized brands such as KJUS, LA SPORTIVA, MALOJA and NORRØNA, YKK launches its campaign ‘IT’S NOT JUST A ZIP / IT’S

NOT JUST A SNAP’, emphasizing some of this community based activities which take place around the globe:

- YKK in Turkey has planted 412 trees on their premises until today and is considering creating other YKK forests in different locations

- YKK Shanghai has implemented labour saving solutions that eliminate duties that entail heavy lifting

- After the 2011 flooding YKK in Thailand supported cleanup activities with 189 employees joining neighborhood volunteers

- YKK in Italy sponsors safety awareness events for local children

These are only a few examples of YKK’s ongoing contribution to local communities and sustainability.

The examples are seemingly small and fragmented initiatives, so what does it matter? “You can choose not to recycle glass at home, or ignore local charities because you feel your personal effort will not make a difference. However, I refuse to believe that is how society works.” says Johnny de Boer, a Regional Manager at YKK Europe.

“The new campaign ‘IT’S NOT JUST A ZIP / IT’S NOT JUST A SNAP’, is referring to a virtually untold story of YKK, not something that has just been thought up at some marketing agency, but that is embedded in the 80 year old DNA of the company, a business philosophy that YKK’s founder called the ‘Cycle of Goodness’. When you use our products you indirectly contribute to that cycle, which is based on creating a sustainable society. In my opinion that is a fact that neither the textile industry nor the end consumer can argue with.”

“LA SPORTIVA produces shoes in the Dolomites. This location brings a particular attention to the environment and social responsibility so that's why the company is always searching for reliable partners and projects that can help the brand to have a strong corporate social responsibility. The partnership with YKK goes definitely in this direction” says Luca Mich, Marketing & Communication Coordinator, LA SPORTIVA S.p.A.

“Not only our finished products should be uncompromising, but also our ethical principles. Consequently social and environmental dealings in the production chain are an important goal for KJUS. This is why we collaborate on the new campaign with our partner YKK”, adds Nico Serena, Creative Director, LK IINTERNATIONAL AG .

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