The Dutch throw around 145 million kilos of clothing into the residual waste every year. That is about 24 pieces of clothing per person! This is not necessary at all since 65% of our clothing is perfectly suited for recycling purposes.
DURIBLE embraces the importance of a sustainable future. We allow people to directly contribute to a circular economy. By investing in our eco-friendly t-shirt, you already reduce the ecological impact that a normal cotton t-shirt has.
The impact of cotton
Growing such a normal cotton t-shirt consumes a large amount of land area and water: two essential elements for the ever-growing world population and the future of our planet. Besides, many practices within the cotton industry ensure that poor working conditions and poverty persist.
Below we have briefly explained some important terms regarding this topic. Do you already know everything about sustainable entrepreneurship and a circular economy? Then scroll down to “How does DURIBLE apply a circular economy”!
Sustainable entrepreneurship
Governments and large companies increasingly demand that the companies they work with demonstrate they are sustainable. Moreover, environmental legislation is also becoming stricter. In short: sustainable entrepreneurship is the new standard and lagging is not an option.
What does it mean?
Sustainable entrepreneurship is about creating value in social, ecological and economic areas. We also call this the 3P's: people, planet, profit (or prosperity). It is the trick to find a balance between these three aspects. That is not possible without taking sustainability into account in all business activities and processes. The impact on the 3P’s must be included in every decision.
A circular economy
Circular economy can be defined as an industrial-economic system in which raw materials are not exhausted but can be reused for production or other purposes. There is (virtually) no residual waste in this economy.
How does DURIBLE apply a circular economy?
We at DURIBLE believe it is an absolute must that people are respected in the factories that supply our products. To this end, the factories are inspected by reliable independent organizations, for example the Fair Wear Foundation. For practical reasons, such as flexibility, our supplier prefers to work with factories located in Europe or around the Mediterranean (Turkey, Morocco). However, this does not imply that they boycott suppliers from Asia and the Indian subcontinent. For example, the textile industry is extremely important for the economic development of a country like Bangladesh, and in that sense, we should try to help improve this sector rather than ignore it. As Western buyers, we have a responsibility to support those factories that pursue our common social standards.
We do this by primarily paying a fair price that fairly reimburses the production factors. The products are transported from the factories to the headquarters of our supplier in the capital of the European Union: Brussels. Here, the products are stored in warehouses nearby. When we have perfected a design at DURIBLE, we give our supplier the task to print the t-shirts. Not only for the aesthetic aspect but also because it is less harmful to nature, our t-shirts are printed with water-based ink. This is the highest quality ink and the absolute forerunner in the printing industry. When the order is ready, our t-shirts are picked up in an electric car and transported to Rotterdam. From here it is up to the customer. The customer pays a fair price for our product. Part of the sales price is directly converted into a gift to the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF): this is an independent non-profit organization that works with companies and factories to improve working conditions in the textile and apparel industry around the world. The FWF follows the improvements of its member companies and promotes their efforts through the exchange of know-how, experience, social dialogue and the strengthening of industrial relations.
How can YOU contribute to a circular economy?
Tips and tricks on how you can contribute to a circular economy yourself.
For a start, it can be very simple things. Preventing waste is better than recycling. Are you going to make soup and put leeks in it? Do not throw away the back but put it in a layer of water and grow a new leek. Start with the facts that most appeal to you, such as climate change, the factory industry or the amount of waste we produce. For that problem, look for alternatives and start small. This way you can always go a step further. See it mainly as a challenge, not as a problem or a restriction.
If you would like to read more on sustainable entrepreneurship or if you are curious about which companies embrace the concept of the circular economy, check the links below to find out more. And while you’re at it , have a look at our web shop!
Do you still have unanswered questions, don't hesitate to leave them under this post. We will get back to you as soon as possible!
With love,
The DURIBLE family
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