Arcadia Sustainability Efforts

In this blog, we delve deeper into what our business does to help maintain a balance between running an ethically sound clothing line and keeping the environment healthy. We're always learning and changing as the industry introduces new information, and we have compiled a quick Q&A format about our sustainability efforts.

What is sustainable fashion? It is an umbrella term that describes the innovative and practical solutions created within the clothing and fashion industry's sustainability efforts. It addresses everything from production and shipping to farming and ethics.

What is circular manufacturing? Circular manufacturing (or lean manufacturing) is a model that extends the life and use of materials and goods while minimizing waste, energy production, and resource usage. Some examples of what it involves are adding renewable power sources, adopting predictive maintenance to extend product condition and longevity of equipment, and sharing equipment with other plants and businesses.

What does circularity mean within the fashion industry? Prioritize used or discarded products to serve as raw materials for new products without sacrificing quality. Preserve the value of raw materials, components, and products from the ground up.

Why practice regenerative agriculture? Regenerative agriculture is a conservation and rehabilitation approach to farming systems (like cotton farming). It focuses on topsoil regeneration, increasing biodiversity, improving the water cycle, enhancing ecosystem services, supporting biosequestration, increasing crop resilience when the climate changes, and strengthening the health and vitality of farm soil.

"Such microscopic. Very organisms. Many nutes. Wow." - Doge

Why use organic cotton?

• Organic cotton farming solves a variety of issues created by modern cotton farming.
• Organic crops require healthy soil. Healthy soil is the foundation of a healthy environment.
• Regenerative farming techniques do not include the use of toxic chemicals and pesticides.
• Regenerative farming feeds the soil with vital minerals and nutrients. Techniques like crop rotation give it a more significant, natural ability to hold on to water and to sequester (reduce) greenhouse gas.

Why use recyclable and biodegradable materials? When materials like plastic, polyester, rayon, nylon, etc., are improperly discarded, they can take hundreds of years to break down, if at all, and over time, leak chemicals like EDCs into the environment when exposed to extreme temperatures.

• Recycling synthetic materials lowers material waste by reusing them in production rather than being shipped to another country or incinerating them in the atmosphere.
• Recycling materials requires less energy than sourcing new/virgin materials.
• We use Kornit's water-based, biodegradable neo-pigment inks on all our designs. GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) approves the inks and dyes free from heavy metals, formaldehyde, and (APE) alkylphenol ethoxylates.

What is recycled polyester? How is it made? Recycled polyester is a fabric made from recycled materials like plastic bottles and polyester-based clothing. It maintains the characteristics and performance of virgin polyester, making it a more sustainable fabric alternative. Recycled polyester is made by crushing plastic products into small pieces. These trim pieces are then processed into yarn, transformed into fibre, and, in the end, made into a fabric.

What is upcycling? ": to recycle (something) in such a way that the resulting product is of a higher value than the original item: to create an object of greater value from (a discarded object of lesser value)" - Merriam Webster

In a nutshell, it's a neat way to describe creative reuse.

Why is everything made to order? Everything is made to order, which means we only produce and ship when you complete an order. Not ordering clothing and accessories in bulk reduces overproduction waste and adds a personal touch to the feel. Every order is made exclusively for you from us. Nothing is premade; it is designed by hand by the best in the business.

Go-go global distribution! Having distribution centers worldwide shortens the shipping distance and delivery times, helping reduce greenhouse gasses produced in transport.

Do we use sustainably sound packaging, and what do we do with unclaimed orders?

• We use 100% recyclable packaging.
• We reduce space waste by not using excessive void fill (cushioning) when packing and fulfilling orders.
• When we have an unclaimed order, we reuse the materials or donate unclaimed clothing to goodwill projects like homeless shelters, halfway houses and second-hand outlets.

How many trees have been planted to date? > Total Trees Planted

Where we plant:

• 🌲North America🌲
• 🌲South America🌲
• 🌲Asia🌲
• 🌲Africa🌲
• 🌲Europe🌲
• 🌲The Pacific🌲

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