Tag Archives: Sustainability

Tonle: A Zero-Waste Fashion Label

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Background 

Rachel Faller is an entrepreneur and founder of Tonle, a zero-waste fashion label. Graduated in 2008 from Maryland Institute College of Art with a degree in fiber, Faller got really into making crafts, weaving, knitting, dyeing, and working on social justice works. What started out as “I don’t see myself going into the fashion industry because I knew the fashion industry had a lot of exploitation” progressed into where Faller, founder of Tonle, and her team is now creating sustainable clothes. Back in 2008, Faller applied and was granted a Fullbright research in Cambodia about fair trade fashion and traditional textiles. This opportunity opened Faller’s eyes and corroborated her values more to create Tonle. This was the kickstart to her future. 

About Tonle 

KeoK’jay, rebranded as Tonle, is a fashion label integrating social and environmental responsibility to make sustainable clothes. With a touch of contemporary design, all Tonle’s clothing is made from scrap fabric that major manufacturers throw out. Faller believed that they could take those extra fabrics and create a zero-waste label. Every piece of fabric is used and incorporated into so many designs. Tonle products are manufactured in Cambodia and sold in the U.S. 

Their Values 

Tonle’s values include purposefulness, that the clothing they create to the actions they take has a purpose and will create an impact. Inclusive: Tonle recognizes that the fashion industry has a lot of exploitation, and Tonle will not accept that. “Tonle is built on collaboration.” Finally, honesty: Tonle believes that being transparent is beneficial. Tonle does their research and works hard to fix mistakes and give credit to where it is due.  

 Tonle is an excellent example of what sustainability should be about. Nobody is excluded, workers are getting fair wages, and they are working very hard to create an impact economically but more importantly, environmentally.  

Check out these amazing pieces all made from scrap and zero-waste: https://tonle.com/collections  

To learn more about Tonle and how they started, watch this YouTube video.

Humanity Runs on Coffee

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What everyone must know about fairly certified coffee and how you can help. 

What is Fair Trade? 

On September 29th, millions of people across the world gathered together in public or on social media to celebrate National Coffee Day. More than 400 million cups of coffee are consumed everyday and our addiction is only growing. If one morning, everyone went out and bought fairly certified coffee, we would drive at least $2 million back to coffee farmers. Coffee is a huge staple in almost everyone’s life. Not realizing that the coffee industry is struggling, one day purchasing coffee is not going to be an easy task. But all you have to do is drink a cup of Fairly Certified coffee.  

Fair Trade is the principle that creates opportunities for disadvantaged producers, ensures no child labor, ensures fair payment to the producers, and transparency and accountability are promoted.  It is essentially an agreement by a seller to pay fair wages and provide good working conditions to those producing goods in developing countries. 

Here are three companies that support fair trade coffee. 

Green Mountain  

Website: http://www.gmcr.com/

The Green Mountain offers the largest selection of Fair Trade Certified coffee in the United States. What began in 1981 in a small café in Waitsfield, Vermont, roasting and selling coffee. Soon demand for their coffee to be supplied at local restaurants increased. This coffee comes from parts of the world where coffee beans are grown in excellent condition such as Kenya and Ethiopia. Green Mountain’s message about Fair Trade is as follows “we are dedicated to purchasing high quality coffee while investing in quality of life for farmers today.” 

Equal Exchange  

Website: https://equalexchange.coop/

Equal Exchange had one specific goal in mind when they started running their organization; what if food could be traded in a way that is honest and fair, a way that empowers both farmers and consumers? Equal Exchange was solely built upon Fair Trade ideals where all of their products ranging from coffee, tea, and chocolate, support the sustainability of farmers. What kickstarted this organization is the coffee they imported from Nicaragua. In 1986, Reagan’s administration placed an embargo on all products from Nicaragua and importing coffee from here would demonstrate solidarity and challenge old US trade policies. 

Burlap and Bean

Website: https://www.burlapandbean.com/

In 2006, Media PA, became America’s first Fair Trade Town. This town was committed to the promotion of Fair Trade certified goods. Located in Newtown Sqaure, PA, lies a gem: Burlap and Bean Coffee where 100% of the coffee they source is Organic and Fair Trade Certified. They have a wonderful selection of specialty drinks, snacks, and baked goods provided by local bakeries. Burlap and Bean Coffee is famously known for their heartwarming hospitality, live entertainment and of course a nice cup of coffee.  

How you can show support 

  • In honor of National Coffee Day, upload your favorite cup of  Fairly Certified coffee with the hashtag #JustOneCup to show support for coffee farmers 
  • Read and watch videos about what Fair Trade is and how it can positively affect the environment. 
  • Subscribe to your favorite Fairly Certified Coffee Companies and start drinking their coffee 
  • Follow social media pages on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and share their posts to reach a bigger audience