What is Sustainability?
Being a sustainable consumer has really entered the global consciousness in the last decade. We’re constantly being reminded of our impact on the environment, and are making more conscious choices when we go shopping. When we think about sustainability, we should think about it in three different ways: environmental, economic, and social. To be truly a sustainable brand or consumer, we believe we need to be thinking of these three things in order to live a sustainable lifestyle. In our brand, Yavar is constantly striving to be considering all three aspects in order to be a sustainable business. In this three-part series, we’re going to do a self-reflective deep dive into how we are striving to attain sustainability across all three spectrums. Today, we’re going to do some reflecting on how we are environmentally conscious and only work with sustainable fabric.
Environmental Sustainability
The cashmere industry is one that has exploded in recent years. As more people realize its benefits, demand has soared (Find out why here). This increase in demand has seen goat herd populations in Mongolia rise to meet this demand. Goats are not as environmentally sustainable because of how they graze. Goats pull the entire plant’s root from the ground. With the bigger number of goats to feed, there is a severe risk of turning Mongolia’s grazing lands into deserts. In order to prevent this and restore Mongolia’s plains, groups like the Sustainable Fibre Alliance have formed to try to encourage Mongolian herders to adopt sustainable practices. They work to achieve this in several ways, but most notably, they do two important things.
Sustainable Grazing
Goat herding practices in Mongolia is still atraditional nomadic practices. Herders will take the goats on grazing routes as the season goes on. Traditionally, there may not have been a lot of understanding between herders. One goal of the SFA is to educate herders on grazing patterns that will help protect the rolling plains and allow them to recover through the season. By properly planning with herders, the plains can do not become empty. This allows the grass and plants to regrow through the season. Through education, the SFA is hoping to create a sustainable model in which Mongolian herders do not have to worry about the impact of their trade.
Sustainable Production
Once herders have harvested the cashmere, it will be cleaned, coloured, and produced into the products we love! A lot of clothing that we buy today is not a sustainable fabric. Cashmere producers who want to receive the SFA’s stamp on their products need to follow a set of guidelines. These guidelines call for efficient water and energy use in cleaning and making their cashmere clothing and accessories. Through a strict evaluation process, the SFA can ensure that members are producing cashmere sustainably. By ensuring that the production is being held accountable, we can rest easier in knowing that our cashmere has a reduced impact on the environment and can be sustainable!
Cashmere as a Sustainable Fibre
Being a sustainable business is difficult. It’s a challenge that we’re all being called towards. At Yavar, we believe strongly in making sure that we are not harming this planet and we can achieve this through sustainable practices. When we think of our environmental footprint, we work hard to ensure that we only partner with cashmere artisans and producers who are following sustainable guidelines that are administered by organizations such as the Sustainable Fibre Alliance. This way, we can rest easy knowing we can provide you with premium quality cashmere that is proven to be a sustainable fabric.