Sustainability
Hey! Guessing you're here because you want to find out how we're sustainable and ethical as a brand? Well you’ve come to the right place!
At Heiko we passionately believe that the current fashion industry is not sustainable and there is a desperate need for eco-friendlier alternatives that are ethically produced. It remains a significant challenge to find sustainable garments that are ethical, fashionable and affordable. We hope that we're able to fill this gap and give everyone the chance to look good whilst shopping guilt free!
An important note: Whilst we strive to be as sustainable as possible, we recognise that there is always more that we can do. We are continually looking for ways to make sure our brand is as ethical and environmentally-friendly as possible. We hope that as this brand grows and we gain access to more resources, we will be able to better ourselves further and conduct more research into ensuring that we're always engaging in the best practises.
Organic Cotton
All of our designs are printed onto 100% certified organic garments. The word organic is frequently used to describe sustainable products, but in relation to clothing, you may be wondering why organic cotton is better.
Organic cotton is better for both the environment and those involved in the production process. To attain the status ‘certified organic’ from the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) the production of cotton must abide to strict regulations, including:
- No pesticides are allowed to be used in production of the cotton. Pesticides are banned because they can damage ecosystems, poison waterways and endanger workers.
- All operators must have an environmental policy including target goals and procedures to minimise waste.
- Social criteria based on the requirements of International Labour Organisation (ILO), including safe working conditions, no discrimination and absolutely no child labour.
Other reasons why organic cotton is the best…
- Compared to regular cotton, organic cotton uses approximately a quarter of the amount of water!
- Conventional cotton is the most pesticide dependent crop in the world whereas organic cotton is completely pesticide free.
- Instead of using machines, organic cotton is hand-picked. This prevents damage to the cotton fibres, creating a super soft feel to organic cotton garments.
Organic cotton is produced in a sustainable manner, respecting both the environment and those working within it. If cotton is being produced at an incredibly cheap rate, then someone or something must be paying the price.
For more information, check out the GOTs website:
Global Leader in Sustainability
Our supplier has been listed among the top 16 leading brands in sourcing sustainable materials by the Textile Exchange (TE). This is a huge achievement and we are very proud to be working with a supplier that is in the ‘Leaders Circle’ of the TE’s Material Change Index (MCI). Classed alongside major worldwide brands, the Leaders Circle recognises companies for their sustainable materials sourcing, as well as their transition to circularity and alignment with global efforts such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Fair Wear Foundation
At Heiko we want all workers involved in the production of our garments to have rights to safe, dignified, properly paid employment. Our garments are currently made in Bangladesh and as we are unable to visit the factories ourselves to check the labour conditions we wanted the greatest assurance that workers are not being exploited and are being fairly paid. This is why all of our garments are sourced from Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) certified company who has achieved 'Leader' status, the highest possible ranking FWF offers, for consistently showing best ethical practises and demonstrating that it is committed to driving positive change in the textile industry.
Fair Wear are an independent, non-profit organisation who collaborate with a number of brands to ensure workers’ rights are protected and labour conditions are improved. Fair Wear also work to ensure that workers are given the means to acquire new skills and to receive proper education and training. The foundation conducts a strict yearly brand performance check and extensive audit to report and evaluate on the activities of member companies.
To be granted Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) certification, associated brands must abide by strict regulations, from monitoring and remediation to transparency. Our garments are sourced from a firm who has consistently met all the FWF requirements and has been attributed 'Leader' status, meaning that you can shop guilt-free!
For more information, check out their website:
Charity Support
We have previously donated to the amazing environmental organisation Rainforest Alliance. From fighting deforestation and climate change, to building economic opportunities for local communities, they are a true force for planetary health and rural prosperity.
Some of their current programmes include:
- Working with farming communities and governments in more than 70 countries to promote sustainable land management practices and help cultivate thriving rural economies.
- Training farmers in ‘climate-smart’ agricultural methods; helping them adapt to current climate issues and prepare for future challenges.
- The promotion of responsible business practices to ensure that companies recognise and reward sustainability transformation.
For more information, check out their website: