SUSTAINABILITY  follows three pillars – economic, environmental and social. Each pillar upholds the goal of sustainability as outlined by the U.S National Environmental Policy Act...

CIRCULAR ECONOMY embraces a conscious approach to business—where the cycles of goods center on sustainability. Broadly, a circular economy refers to the many stages that...

FAIRTRADE certifications have become a key component to ensuring that a product is made ethically, creating a lasting, positive social impact for the people of...

CRUELTY-FREE ensures that no animals were harmed throughout the entire production process of the item. Cruelty-free products have a zero tolerance policy for animal testing...

GREENWASHING is a misleading marketing tactic. It is the promotion of a company or a brand’s dedication to the environment, while that commitment either does...

FAST VS. SLOW  manufacturing differences lie in production and in the companies’ values. Fast manufacturing is produced in poor working conditions with no regard to...

VEGAN products are created or produced without the use of any animal ingredients, including zero use of animal substances as well as zero use of...

TRANSPARENCY refers to a brand’s proper disclosure of the manufacturing systems of a business, therefore allowing retailers full access to understanding the sustainable processes of...

BIODEGRADABLE materials have the capability to decompose over time. Biodegradable products ensure that the environmental footprint of a company is minimized as to reduce unnecessary...

DOWNCYCLING describes the process of creating a recycled product that is usually of lower value or functionality than the original item it was repurposed from....

UPCYCLING Unlike recycling, the upcycling process does not break recycled materials down to their original base ingredients. Instead, upcycling consists of “refashioning” recycled materials into...

RECYCLING  involves repurposing waste into a new good, thereby creating the opportunity to reduce waste production. In today’s manufacturing practices, many companies that are striving...

ARTISANAL products promote both ethical production and sustainable practices. For a product to be considered ‘artisanal,’ it must be handcrafted. When purchasing from a business...