Sustainability
tradition through innovation
cc-tapis is guided by a sustainable approach that doesn’t stop at production. cc-tapis aims to embrace tradition through innovation.
cc-tapis’ commitment to sustainability extends beyond producing timeless hand-made rugs with a selection of organic and natural materials. For years the company has undertaken a path for transversal reduction through its production and distribution processes, paying attention to social, human and economic factors.
In 2016 cc-tapis began tackling social and economic sustainability issues in Nepal, launching its own NPO, cc-for education, an organization whose mission is providing a complete education to the children of cc-tapis’ artisans in Nepal, from kindergarten, to high school and university.
In 2020 and 2021 cc-tapis minimized its impact by saving, recycling and reusing materials to encourage more sustainable practices. In 2021 the company launched plastic-free packaging, taking advantage of the tons of clothing which are discarded globally every year. cc-tapis developed a resistant plastic-free textile which became the brand’s packaging, shipping rugs worldwide.
Working closely with GRASSI 10000, a Milanese company known for its creative approach to sustainability, the 100% plastic free fabric was transformed into a recycled and recyclable shopping bag, going beyond packaging. A project which outlined that a product’s lifespan doesn’t end at delivery.
As a design brand and producer, cc-tapis has the responsibility to minimize its environmental impact, to consider that what we produce today will affect tomorrow, without compromising future generations.
Guided by the desire to be as sustainable as the production of its handmade rugs, every year cc-tapis pro-actively finds a way to be more responsible and increase its investment and commitment in sustainability. From choosing natural materials, avoiding polluting components, upcycling discarded clothing to produce a 100% plastic free packaging, to its latest goal: carbon neutrality.
With the aim of offsetting the emissions of its transportation, a major factor in the global carbon footprint, in 2022 cc-tapis teams up with Carbonsink, an Italian consultancy firm engaged in helping companies achieve carbon neutrality.
By analyzing cc-tapis’ 2021 – 2022 shipments by road, ship and air, Carbonsink calculated that the brand emitted 657 tons of CO2 delivering rugs to their clients worldwide. To offset these emissions, together with Carbonsink, cc-tapis developed a carbon-neutrality strategy focused on purchasing certified and guaranteed carbon projects.
cc-tapis chose to collaborate with Kariba Forest Protection, a community-based project in Zimbabwe that protects almost 785,000 hectares of forests and wildlife on the southern shores of Lake Kariba. A project supporting local communities to become more resilient to the effects of a changing climate.
This is part of cc-tapis’ wider commitment to become completely carbon neutral by 2030.
In 2024 cc-tapis set a new standard for creativity introducing regenerated Econyl® Nylon yarns in its material universe.
An extremely durable fiber which is constructed from completely regenerated nylon. Produced by Aquafil, recognized as pioneers in circular economy, ECONYL® yarn begins its life cycle as waste such as discarded fishing nets, fabric scraps and old carpets destined for landfills. Aquafil rescues these materials and transforms them back into virgin nylon yarn through a depolymerization process. A process which can be repeated infinitely.
Marking a significant stride towards consciousness, cc-tapis applies the robotufting technique with the innovative Econyl® yarn producing custom rugs for exhibitions, installations, museums and fashion shows in the company’s new Milanese prototyping center.
Encouraging a new interpretation and usage of materials, each piece produced using Econyl® can be regenerated, being part of Aquafil’s R2R program. This means that at the end of its use, the rug can be fully recycled with its fibers being regenerated into a brand-new Nylon yarn, ensuring a sustainable loop in the production process.
When transporting rugs internationally, each piece need to be packed safely, according to specific requirements which vary from country to country. cc-tapis chooses environmentally friendly packaging solutions to ensure rugs are safest after leaving the Milanese Headquarters.
Guided by a sustainable approach, in 2024 cc-tapis introduced customized tubular plastic foils for rug-packaging made with 100% regenerated plastic, which can be reused for many years and 100% recycled again. A high-strength material produced by PG PLAST which protects rugs from atmospheric and thermal agents during transportation encouraging new interpretation of materials. In addition to savings, the use of recycled plastic allows to reduce the impact on the environment, supporting/boosting the circular economy.
