Sealand
1. Materials and Sourcing
Materials Used: Sealand Gear uses upcycled and recycled materials, such as canvas and yacht sails, which are significantly more carbon-efficient than virgin materials.
Sourcing: They use African-grown cotton and a hemp-cotton blend, both of which require less water than conventional cotton. You can read more here https://sealandgear.com/pages/materials
2. Production Practices
Location: All products are handmade in Cape Town, South Africa.
Labor Practices: Sealand Gear pays a living wage, which is on average 40% higher than the South African living wage.
3. Environmental Impact
Carbon Footprint: They partnered with an external player to calculate their carbon emissions and offset those. They claim to be climate neutral.
Waste Management: They focus on minimizing waste by using upcycled materials and have initiatives to spare waste from landfills.
4. Transparency and Traceability
Product Journey: Each Sealand bag includes the name of the craftsperson who made it, adding a personal touch and traceability, however this is not a complete digital product passport.
Supply Chain Transparency: They provide some information about their use of upcycled and responsibly sourced materials. They also map the list of suppliers however there is no evidence that this list is exhaustive from raw material sourcing up to shipping.
5. Social Impact
Community Support: Sealand Gear donates upcycled bags to community initiatives for every online order over a certain amount.
Social Responsibility: They are committed to job creation and supporting local communities in South Africa. They are also part of the 1% for the Planet initiative.
6. Certifications and Standards
Certifications: C No specific certifications are mentioned.
Industry Standards: They adhere to principles of upcycling, material stewardship, and circular economy.
7. Longevity and Quality
Durability: Their products are designed to be durable and long-lasting.
Stance on Fast Fashion: Sealand Gear promotes slow fashion approach via circularity and upcycling.
8. Customer Reviews and Feedback
Customer Feedback: No reviews are available on their website.
9. Areas of Improvement
Overall, Sealand Gear seems to be a strong contender for a conscious fashion shopper looking for reduced environmental impact, good level of transparency and ethical labor. Achieving a universally recognized certification could further strengthen their reputation.