Sustainability
We know we can do better. That’s why we will continue to advance our commitment to sustainability as we continue to grow as a company. Instead of creating low-grade garments that easily end up in the landfill, Femi Aina New York focuses on making quality garments from the beginning. Below are our current sustainability initiatives in order to build an environmentally and ethically responsible supply chain:
Fair Trade Certified™ Facility
Garment workers are among the lowest paid people in the world. That is why all of our garments are made in a Suzlon 1250 windmill-powered, Fair Trade Certified™ facility. Through Fair Trade, we can provide workers with verifiable benefits that aim to improve lives and communities.
Our mills adhere to SA 800 for Social Accountability Management System. The SA8000 Standard is the world’s leading social certification program. It provides a holistic framework allowing organizations in any industry and in any country to demonstrate their dedication to the fair treatment of workers.
Our factories are Fairtrade Labeling Organizations (FLO) which are dedicated to alleviating poverty afflicting the majority of the world's farmers and workers by setting and certifying the compliance of stringent, socially-conscious production standards.
Recycled Polyester
We believe in a circular economy, that is why some components of our garments are made of recycled polyester. Recycled polyester can be found in the ribbing of our garments and comprises 20% of the garments.
GOTS Certified Organic Cotton
Conventional cotton farming uses more toxic pesticides than any other crop. These pesticides are hazardous to the environment by contaminating our groundwater, streams, and rivers, which endangers the people who grow it as well as those who rely on these sources. That is why all of our garments are made with 100% Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic cotton body.
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibers, backed up by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain. The GOTS certification means that our products are made with organic materials under strict environmental and social conditions. The entire organic supply chain is covered, from harvesting to manufacturing and trading. Certified organic cotton uses crop rotation, cover crops and organic fertilizers that are much better for the environment.
Without these types of certifications, businesses and brands get away with greenwashing tactics. We aim to be as transparent and authentic as possible. That is why we have completed the most comprehensive organic certification process in the industry to assure our customers of an organically produced product. GOTS evaluates the processing and manufacturing of textiles on the basis of both environmental and social criteria. This means assessing everything from the chemical inputs being used to the ethical treatment of workers. To become GOTS certified, it is mandatory to meet all of the criteria. You will see GOTS markings on the tags and packaging of our fleece products indicating this certification, which is of importance in authenticating and verifying organic standards.