Diving into a pool, a lake, a river or the ocean is a gift, and we will continue to help protect these special environments.
To design and manufacture all products in a progressively more environmentally conscious way is a key step in the commitment we have taken. We are constantly working to develop more sustainable garments and accessories to reduce our environmental impact, while still guaranteeing the same distinctive performance, protection, style, comfort and fit that sets arena apart.
According to recognized international certifications, these sustainable fabric sources include PET plastic bottles and industrial waste such as yarn and chip waste. By working with recycled PET, nylon, silicone and polycarbonate, we are reducing the use of plastic and petroleum-based resources without sacrificing the benefits and characteristics of the fabrics.
All the elements necessary in the delivery of products to the consumer have an impact on the environment. To reduce this impact, we are now using sustainable materials for our packaging (hangtags, pouches, polybags, boxes, etc.).
FSC® certified cardboard is our choice for most packaging made of paper, and for the vast majority of plastic packaging, we use recycled plastic.
The FSC logo on our packaging ensures that it has been made in compliance with rigorous environmental, social and economic standards, which aim to protect the world's forests and ecosystems that depend on them and respect local communities and the rights of workers.
This choice supports the mission of the Forest Stewardship Council®, an international NGO that has been promoting responsible forest management for over 25 years.
In 2020, arena began investing in renewable energy for the company’s HQ in Tolentino, Italy. Since 2021 the office has been fully powered by green electricity from renewable sources and natural gas, offsetting 100% of all related gas emissions to be net carbon neutral.
In addition, the following energy-efficient steps are currently being taken, and will be completed in 2023:
The next step in our green energy strategy will be to roll out similar projects at all our subsidiaries around the world, with the long-term goal that all our operations are net carbon neutral and powered by 100% renewable sources.
Every day we challenge our staff and partners to suggest ways in which we can limit and reduce our reliance on plastic and paper. Several initiatives have been introduced at the arena headquarters and offices around the world to better manage and reduce our waste.
For example, we have eliminated disposable plastic coffee cups and provided ceramic coffee mugs to staff and visitors; we estimate that we have eliminated over 200 kilos of plastic waste per year as a result of this small change.
We also introduced free water bottles and dispensers to avoid bottled water.
Our goal is that every arena event is planned, organized and executed with concern for the environmental, social and economic issues at play, to minimize the impact and ideally leave a positive legacy for the community hosting the event. We feel responsible for all our events and the different elements involved, including water management, food and drinks, waste management, venue choices, energy sources and travel.
In 2019, arena began measuring the carbon footprint of our annual global sales meeting, which brings together more than 300 people in one place. This now allows us to set goals for reducing the social and environmental impact year on year, and introduce strategies to achieve these targets.
Running sustainable events brings a number of benefits, from cost savings to a positive impact on brand reputation.
In November 2022, we announced our partnership with ZeroCO2 in a reforestation project to plant 2778 mangrove trees in Guatemala, which are projected to absorb an estimated 350,000 kg of CO2, enough to offset the emissions generated by the International Sales events organized by arena in 2022.