SUSTAINABLE

Reduce umbrella waste

Approximately 80 to 100 million umbrellas are imported into Japan every year.

It is said that about half of the imported umbrellas are disposable vinyl umbrellas or cheap umbrellas.

At Amvel, we hope to reduce umbrella waste as much as possible.

Why do disposable plastic umbrellas and cheap umbrellas sell so well?

When considering why disposable plastic umbrellas and cheap umbrellas sell so well, Amvel believes it's because people don't have umbrellas when it suddenly rains, and because they're too much to carry around.

Naturally, when it rains, people don't want to get wet, so they buy disposable plastic umbrellas or cheap umbrellas as a last resort. As long as it rains, umbrellas are a necessary item, and for the time being, they cannot be dispensed with.

An umbrella that doesn't feel like a burden

So Amvel wondered if it was possible to create an umbrella that didn't feel like a burden.

The answer is a lightweight umbrella, a slim, space-saving umbrella, or a highly functional umbrella that is comfortable to use.

In order to prevent products from becoming waste, we carefully select materials and structures that are durable.

We also accept repairs whenever possible, which can extend the life of your umbrella.

Consideration of harmful substances

We outsource the production of umbrella fabric to a major fabric manufacturer in Taiwan.

The fabric manufacturer is a factory that complies with OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, the world's highest safety standard covering over 350 types of hazardous substances. We do not use azo dyes that may produce specific aromatic amines.

In terms of water-repellent processing, we have also begun switching to PFOA-free water-repellent agents for production from autumn 2020.

The plating process used on umbrella frames is known to be toxic, so we try to minimize its use and use black electroplating instead.

Carry a folding umbrella

Around the world, there is no concept of a "disposable umbrella," and the usage rate of folding umbrellas is said to be over 60%, making it standard to carry a folding umbrella with you.

*There is no statistical data to support this. This is a subjective opinion based on interviews with several factories that manufacture umbrellas for the European and American markets.

In Japan, it is standard to carry a long umbrella, but Amvel recommends carrying a lightweight folding umbrella instead. Amvel's lightest umbrella weighs just 67 grams, which is lighter than a smartphone, and we are proud to have significantly reduced the burden of carrying an umbrella.

Always keep an umbrella in your bag so you can prepare for sudden rain.

Get into the habit of always carrying a folding umbrella and enjoy sustainable rainy days!