Forget Black Friday! Go Green Friday with MERGE4.
Santa Cruz-based sock company, MERGE4, announced it will not be participating in Black Friday or Cyber Monday this year, and will instead highlight the brand’s environmental initiatives with a ‘Green Friday’.
“As a brand with its roots in sustainability, inclusivity and giving back, the over-consumption of Black Friday just didn’t sit right with us,” said MERGE4 CEO and Founder, Cindi Busenhart, “Rather than adding to the noise, we’ll be encouraging customers to use their purchasing power to choose brands that protect the planet and give back to their communities.”
In addition to partnering with environmental-focused nonprofits like The Jane Goodall Institute and Pangeaseed’s Sea Walls, MERGE4 has a fleet of initiatives aimed at making its operations and products more sustainable.
Cutting Down on Plastic
Every order from merge4.com is shipped in a 100% recycled poly mailer made in the USA. We only use biodegradable paper for our hangtags and hangers, and each pair of socks is sewn with plastic-free thread.
Carbon Offsets
With every order made at MERGE4.com, customers have the option to offset the emissions from shipping their order via EcoCart. EcoCart maps order weight, contents and shipping distance against empirically validated CO2 emissions data, and calculates the exact cost of offsetting the carbon impact of the order. To date, MERGE4 has offset 158,837 lbs. of Co2.
Durable Socks that Last
In an effort to combat fast fashion and disposable clothing, MERGE4 is committed to creating durable, long-lasting socks that stand the test of time.
“The inspiration behind MERGE4 came when my son was blowing through socks on a weekly basis at volleyball practice and at the skatepark,” said Busenhart, “I wanted to create a high quality sock that could take a beating and would stay on your feet and out of the landfill.”
Sustainable Fibers
In line with its commitment to making all socks with recycled or plant-based fibers by 2023, MERGE4 has introduced a range of sustainable materials in the past years including:
REPREVE® - MERGE4 uses certified REPREVE® yarn made from post-consumer single-use plastic bottles. Two plastic bottles go into each pair of socks.
TENCEL™ - Biodegradable and certifiably compostable, TENCEL™ fiber is sourced from natural raw material wood and provides ultimate stretch and a comfortable fit.
Hemp - Fast growing hemp requires less processing, water and land to produce and softens with every wash.
Organic Cotton - Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture.
Bamboo – Mechanically-processed bamboo-based yarn is inherently anti-bacterial and has a luxurious cashmere-like softness for ultra-cozy socks.
Plant-Based Dyes - Using liquid dyes made from organic crops, plant-based dyes significantly reduce waste water, emissions and energy use without the use of heavy metals or petrochemicals, to produce beautiful, natural, earthy colors.
“We understand that any product has a carbon footprint,” said Busenhart, “With that said, at MERGE4, our hopes are to continue to make quality driven product that lasts vs. make product that encourages a throw away consumer mentality.”
Although MERGE4 will not be having a Black Friday sale, there will still be two exclusive sales customers can take advantage of while doing their holiday shopping. Customers can sign up for MERGE4’s email list at www.MERGE4.com to be the first to know about upcoming sales.
About MERGE4
MERGE4 was built on the foundation of using business as a force for doing good in the world. From the very beginning, we’ve operated as a Certified B Corporation, making sure we focus just as much effort on people and the planet as we do on profits. We’re proud to say we’re more than just a sock company. We empower artists, athletes, and musicians through meaningful collaborations. We partner with nonprofits to make socks that benefit causes from endangered species to pediatric transplant patients. And we’ve built a diverse family of brand ambassadors that share this common vision of merging together for positive change. From the moment you purchase your first pair of MERGE4 socks, you’re part of this awesome family and journey towards a more sustainable, inclusive and ethical future. For more information, visit www.merge4.com.