Sustainability
For us, the present and future of fashion is sustainable. This is a conversation that we at Peach and Panda take seriously and are happy to discuss as well as be a part of. Sustainability is the need of the hour and we are trying to incorporate all of its elements in our organization. For us the meaning of sustainability is not just using sustainable fabrics but also other important things and we are trying to be as sustainable as possible through this.
1) Fabrics and Manufacturing:
For us, partnering with the right factories regarding our fabrics is very crucial. We have handpicked a few factories and dealers through whom our fabrics arrive. They have been in the business for too long and have high safety standards set and are also actively a part of the sustainability movement. We try to use fabrics that consume less water and can bio degrade but being in fashion, in order to try to keep the costs at where they are, we are unable to procure recycled polyester. Instead we buy surplus fabrics from factories which if stay unused for a certain period, ends up in the landfills. Even though this is not totally sustainable but using something that is going to end in the landfill is contributing towards it in a way.
Talking about the manufacturing, currently all our products are made in our own manufacturing unit in Bhiwandi. Here, we try to be as conservative with everything. Be it small things like switching the fans and lights off when no one is present to actually reducing the fabric wastage to the utmost. Still whatever of the leftover fabric stays with us, we try to upcycle them by making headbands, scrunchies, masks or any other useful thing which is then given to our staff members to distribute in their vicinity. We are also open to let fashion students use our leftover fabrics/scraps/chindis to whatever use they seem to be is right. Contact us at : peachandpandaofficial@gmail.com
2) Employees and Remuneration:
The other important discussion of sustainability apart from being green and environment friendly is the employees, their treatment in the organisation and their remuneration which often gets neglected as majority of the brands make their garments only at third party vendors and are unaware of the actual working status of the workers . As mentioned, we have our own manufacturing facility and all the employees of our manufacturing process are treated with utmost respect, provided with the right remuneration and more importantly timely remuneration. They are provided with the right working conditions (normal working hours, weekly off, three breaks a day, safety assistance, assistance in any other forms). We also have fun games and contests with them (e.g. they have to create a garment out of leftover fabrics and there is a prize for the person who made the best garment).
They form the crux of what we sell and what you wear, you and them being happy is what matters to us.
3) Packaging:
Though currently we are not entirely plastic free, we have minimised our plastic usage to a very huge extent but there are some portions that are still unavoidable. We are working on those elements and hoping on making Peach and Panda to be plastic free and being conscious about the environment.
If you are a fabric supplier, garment manufacturer, packaging material manufacturers or anyone with solutions towards are path to sustainability, we would love to get in touch with you. Please drop us a mail at: peachandpandaofficial@gmail.com and we can take it further from there.
Important Note: If you know any or are a part of any NGO or organization that is working in the reuse or recycling clothing or accessories, do get in touch.