Corporate Social Responsibility

What is CSR (Corporate Social Responibility) ?

CSR is the contribution made by companies to the challenges of sustainable development. A company undertaking a CSR approach will therefore seek to respect the environment and have a positive impact on society, while remaining economically viable.

CSR is based in particular on 2 international frameworks: the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and ISO 26000, which cover subjects as diverse as waste management, relations with suppliers, governance, solidarity and philanthropy, the work/life balance of employees, etc.

The extraction of raw materials is responsible for the destruction and artificialization of natural environments (quarries for metals, cultivation for agricultural materials, deforestation for wood, etc.), and contributes to the over-exploitation of natural resources.

According to the life cycle analysis of a pair of spectacles, the raw materials used in frames account for 7% of their environmental impact. Of course, in addition to the environmental impact, the social impact must also be taken into account, particularly in the case of metals whose extraction is often relocated to countries where standards are poorly developed.

Packaging, which is essential for protecting and transporting products, represents a major challenge in terms of environmental impact. Mainly made up of plastics, paper/cardboard and metals, it consumes precious resources and generates large volumes of waste.

According to the life cycle analysis of a pair of spectacles, packaging accounts for 13% of its environmental impact. Nevertheless, it is the showcase of a product's environmental commitment in the eyes of the consumer.

The building sector is responsible for 38% of energy-related CO2 emissions worldwide , and its impact can be broken down into two phases: construction and operation.
The construction phase puts a great deal of pressure on resources (sand and water in particular): for example, it is responsible for ²/₃ of total sand consumption. It is also a source of chemical and noise pollution, and accounts for more than ¹/₃ of all waste produced in the EU.
During the operating phase, energy consumption (mainly heating, followed by electricity) and water consumption will be high.

The construction and operation of buildings (offices, factories, and points of sale) are included in the manufacturing, storage and distribution stages of the life cycle analysis of a pair of glasses , and represent a significant part of the environmental impact of the product.

The use phase of a product begins when the consumer starts to benefit from it, and ends when they choose to dispose of it. Prolonged use of a product allows the impact of prior stages (raw materials, manufacturing, transport, etc.) to be amortised.
However, the use phase is not without impact, and in some sectors even represents the stage of the life cycle with the greatest impact on the environment.

The end-of-life stage follows the use phase, and is the final stage in the product's life cycle. It poses major environmental challenges, such as waste treatment. In the best cases, end-of-life products are reused or recycled, or incinerated or landfilled.

According to the life cycle analysis of a pair of glasses, its use phase for 19% of its environmental impact. This stage mainly involves the maintenance and cleaning of the product, which will require the use of water and cleaning products such as wipes, etc.

The end-of-life phase represents 4% of the environmental impact of a pair of glasses. Its recycling rate is relatively low (need for dismantling, infrequent return of used glasses for recycling, etc.). The sector needs to create a genuine recycling industry