Planet
To reduce our impact on the planet, we are also working to improve our business and production processes. This includes the electricity we use in the office, our webshop packaging, and the transportation of our products.
Materials and production
By using more sustainable (certified) materials and Leather Working Group tanning processes, we aim to reduce our environmental impact—less pesticide use, less water, and less energy. In our code of conduct, we require suppliers to monitor and reduce their environmental impact as much as possible. Environmental protection is also integrated into our internal audits.
To ensure the safety of workers throughout the supply chain and of people living in the surrounding area, we ask our suppliers to use the ZDHC MRSL. In addition, all our products must comply with the IBANA RSL: the Restricted Substances List, which sets at least statutory and additional voluntary limits on the use of chemicals.
Animal welfare
IBANA does not use leather from exotic or endangered animals, nor do we use real fur. All the leather used in our clothing comes from animals raised for food production, such as goats, sheep, and cattle. No animals are specifically raised and slaughtered for their hides for our clothing. We urge our suppliers to follow our animal welfare policy. This policy is described in our code of conduct and requires suppliers to follow the five freedoms of the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC):
- free from thirst, hunger, and malnutrition;
- free from physical and thermal discomfort;
- free from pain, injury, and disease;
- free from fear and chronic stress;
- free to exhibit natural behavior.
Transport
In the first instance, we prefer transporting goods by ship or truck rather than by air. This not only has a smaller footprint, but is often also more cost-effective. However, sometimes we still choose air freight, for example because otherwise the goods would arrive too late.
More sustainable packaging
When you order through our online shop, you receive our products in an FSC-certified cardboard box made from 70% recycled paper. We have also switched to an FSC-certified cardboard envelope for shipping smaller items. This saves up to 90% of packaging material per order! Our polybags, paper tags, labels, and stickers are made from recycled paper or recycled plastic and are 100% recyclable.
At our office
At our headquarters in Amsterdam, we use 100% green electricity. Our office is also heated with district heating, which is residual heat released by the nearby power plant in Diemen. Our office and showroom are lit with LED lights. We do not have any physical stores, only an online shop—which also saves a lot of electricity and energy. And every Monday is Meatfree Monday for us; this saves 1.6 kg of emissions per person per day!
