Sustainability is a two way street which involves both the manufacturing and market sides.  What value does a fair trade basket have if it falls apart after a few uses?  Or what is the true cost of a purse if the planet and people were exploited while making it?

The way we see it, the manufacturing and design both contribute to the sustainability of an item.

Manufacturing: 

Environmental Care

Care needs to be given to ensure manufacturing is a process that can be renewed and not stripped bare.  Water supply, air quality, protection of natural ecosystems, and safe waste management are all under consideration.

Supply Chain

A supply chain includes all the people and resources it took to get a product from the supplier to the customer.  It includes raw materials, manufacturing, packaging, and distributing. 

Social Responsibility

Social responsibility refers to how a corporation cares for the people and the materials involved in its supply chain.  It includes good labor practices, adherence to human rights, a safe work environment, and fair living wages. 

Market:

Quality materials

Form follows function, meaning the right materials need to be assigned to the right tasks.  A delicate linen, while beautiful and renewable, may not be the right choice for an everyday tote.

Excellent craftsmanship

One of the most important aspects of sustainability involves how well a product is made.  Will it hold up to the task it was given?    

Timeless design

While trends are fun, they are often short lived.  A design that stands the test of time is less likely to be cast aside as fads come and go.