Small gestures, big impact

Going green? It's on our mind and agenda all the time but for some among us difficult to understand or to master. We have entered a mindset that says that our small changes maybe won't fix the bigger problem. But thinking that one person can't make a change, is exactly the reason why our beloved Mother Earth is becoming the victim of a larger global-scale environmental crisis. The message is clear, you CAN make a difference. It's an utopia to believe that you will all of a sudden wake up in a 100% plastic free, zero-waste all organic house-hold, but there are plenty of small steps you can take towards that much needed greener world.

We have gathered some inspiration from our own clients to make that sustainable lifestyle accessible and fun. Taking baby steps towards going green will trigger a shift in consciousness. It just starts with one person: YOU!

La Redoute - support sustainable development and social protection

This tote bag is a design by La Redoute. The name "SOLIDAIRES" reflects the actual meaning of the project, all profits will enable Solidarité Femmes to support women in difficulty. On top of that it's a real product Made in France by Les Tissages de Charlieu, dedicated to sustainable development and social protection.

Choosing recycled cotton means taking care for the environment. For two reasons : the more we recycle, the less raw materials we use and the more we save resources. We reduce our waste while turning it into new raw materials. A true virtuous circle.

Juttu - strong believer in sustainable brands

Dreaming of a greener, fair trade world starts with our own buying habits. Juttu always focuses on sustainable brands – read here about nine of them and get inspired!

On Earth day, Juttu stores will also introduce recycle boxes in which customers can donate old clothing, from any brand. Juttu is partnering with Wereld Missie Hulp (WMH) for this purpose, who will process the pieces into second-hand sales. The proceeds will go to a social project for the Ugandan Rambia community. WMH is building safe, modern school buildings there, which will provide four hundred students with enough space and the necessary materials to realize their ambitions. The unwearable textiles are turned into new yarns in order to make new products. A fine example of circular economy.

Wasted Atelier - Belgian rebel takes a different spin on fashion

Creating unique items out of fabric surpluses, Wasted Atelier is the new Belgian brand to keep an eye on. Wasted Atelier was founded out of a thorough knowledge of the fashion industry and a desire to do better. By locally designing and producing items out of forgotten fabric scraps, the brand has a unique way of making sustainable clothing. Without of course sacrificing quality, style, or boldness. Limited edition wrap dresses, dazzling kimonos and statement sets, all sustainable and 100% Belgian? Yes, please!

Karün - not just an eyewear company

Behind Karün sits a very passionate team of people that believe they can change the way we interact with our planet. Based in Patagonia, they have come to see things from the perspective of a wild, pure and majestic nature. Karün means to be nature in "mapuche", the language spoken by an ancestral indigenous culture from Chile.

They make high-quality eyewear that can serve as a symbol of a different way of looking at the world and made under a very different logic; instead of the widely used linear and extractive process, they are working hard to build their entire value chain under a circular and regenerative model.

Our sunglasses enable us to share and spread our perspective of the world and fund long-term projects that can help protect vast territories of pure nature and empower hundreds and even thousands of rural entrepreneurs.… And this is not fashion; it is the way we see the world.

JBC - a future proof store

Belgian retailer JBC recently opened their revamped store in Leuven. The pilot project is all about sustainability and family experience. With various digital gadgets such as DIY recycling machines, a 'magic mirror' and interactive screens, JBC wants to teach families more about sustainable fashion in a fun way. With this idea in mind the brand also focuses on a more conscious use of clothing through their 'Studio Unique' corner. Customers get the opportunity to give their clothes a personal touch by adding a personal message or a cool patch, which ultimately makes the items last longer.

DIM - Save the planet in your undies

French brand DIM has created a special line EcoSmart in collab with NATUURPUNT/NATAGORA. This clothing line consists of socks, tights and lingerie for him and her. It is made of certified BIO cotton and meets strict guidelines of ethical working conditions.

NATUURPUNT and NATAGORA are independent volunteer associations in Flanders and Wallonia/Brussels respectively. They protect vulnerable and threatened nature. With every boxer you buy from this collab you will specifically donate 1,50 € and 0,50 € for a pair of socks or tights. The money is used for Forest for All, a project that plants forests in Flanders and Brussels/Wallonia. In this way trees can become powerful forests full of life and we can guarantee that the forest will always remain a forest.

Lee Cooper - setting the standard

Belgian denim brand Lee Cooper is setting the bar real high this season. Apart from being CO2 neutral they also want to make its jeans 100% recyclable in the future. This means that the jeans must be made of 100% natural materials, the buttons must be easily removable and the metal of the buttons does not contain harmful substances or is the result of polluting techniques such as electroplating.

The winter 2020 collection was 50% sustainable. This summer's collection 70% of the Lee Cooper jeans collection is "green". Efforts are also being made for the T-shirts. The collection already includes a line of sustainable T-shirts, made from a composition of organic cotton, recycled materials and Tencel, a material made from tree pulp. And last but not least: did you know that a pair of Lee Cooper jeans only requires 2 liters of water in production?

River Cleanup: 10 minute challenge

Each year, over 8 million tonnes of waste end up in our seas and oceans, 80% of which is carried there by rivers. The COVID-19 crisis has pushed plastic pollution to unprecedented levels. Just think of the plastic from masks, gloves, bottles and food packaging left behind after a corona walk. The Belgian organization River Cleanup wants to make people aware of this litter problem and is now launching the #rivercleanupchallenge, challenging everyone to take a heroic picture of the litter that you can pick up in your neighbourhood in 10 minutes...

The campaign started on 22 March, World Water Day and ends on Earth Day on 22 April, it couldn’t be more symbolic. Are you going to make one last effort for Mother Earth?

The instructions are to simply roll up your sleeves in a park, by a river or in your street and for 10 minutes collect litter at a time that suits you. During a walk, as an activity with the kids, or during a jogging session. With this campaign, River Cleanup wants to show that a small gesture can have a big impact on the environment. Little effort, great result!

#rivercleanupchallenge