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Since we began 20 years ago, we have always worked hard to make our hats and accessories in the right way… by ensuring the production lifecycle is underpinned by responsible raw material sourcing, a low carbon footprint and sustainable manufacturing processes, and by focusing on the welfare of our factory’s handknitters through a safe and supportive environment to work.
We don’t believe in ‘fast disposable fashion’. KuSan accessories are designed to be worn and loved for ever – knowing that we are doing our best for our workers, for the planet and for you.
That ethos is as true today and we’re proud to announce that the lining in all new products made in 2020 and beyond will be manufactured using recycled polyester fleece made from plastic bottles. It is difficult to imagine how plastic bottles are transformed into fleece but with the help of advanced technology, there is a process that can convert plastic bottles into fabrics. Plastic bottles are collected, compressed, cleaned, smashed, melted, polymerized and finally spun into yarn. These yarns are then used to weave fabrics and finally end up as the lining in your KuSan hat! Recycled polyester is almost the same as virgin polyester in terms of quality, but its production requires 59% less energy compared to virgin polyester.
Having calculated that we use approximately 5.5 tonnes of fleece – the equivalent of 236,000 plastic bottles – in our annual production, it was the obvious change we needed to make to further demonstrate our commitment to making things right.
And although recycling is not the answer, repurposing one of the worst offenders into a new item keeps bottles from landfill.
All of our production is carried out in Nepal. It’s important that we look after the welfare of every person involved with the KuSan range. We continue to work with the same Nepali factory since our inception. Over the years we have built a strong and special partnership – our businesses have developed intrinsically over the years. We commit to year-round orders to provide work in an otherwise seasonal job allowing for long-term investment planning with a regular source of income for all of the skilled hand knitters.
Consumers’ desire for ‘fast fashion’ is having a devasting impact on the environment and we need to do all we can to reverse that damage. In the world of fashion KuSan has a very small voice but if every brand takes a responsible approach to sourcing, processes etc, collectively we can try and reduce the industry’s negative impact. Transparency is therefore crucial. Other than importing the raw material from New Zealand all our processes are carried out in the Kathmandu valley.
Standard labels only declare where clothes are constructed. This makes all the other processes such as spinning, dyeing and labelling, invisible to the consumer. KuSan works closely with the factory ensuring that all these stages are carefully considered so that their social and environmental impact is not overlooked. Colour dyes are tested to exceed REACH regulations. To learn more about REACH, click here.
As a sustainable brand we are permitted to be a part of the United Nations Office for Partnerships- ‘Conscious Fashion Campaign’ and KuSan supports the following Sustainable Development Goals :
Goal 6
Clean Water & Sanitation
Goal 6
Clean Water & Sanitation
Goal 6
Clean Water & Sanitation
Goal 6
Clean Water & Sanitation
Goal 6
Clean Water & Sanitation
Goal 6
Clean Water & Sanitation
We believe our hand knitters are the best in the world – many have been with us since KuSan started.
Protecting workers’ rights, providing a safe and healthy environment to work in, and enabling social benefits such as regular Health checks are all ways that we can ensure the welfare of our teams is front of mind.
You can be assured that there is absolutely NO child labour. Using traditional skills handed down from generation to generation, handknitting provides women the opportunity to work achieving financial independence and enabling them to support their families.
With the right attention, we know that behind every KuSan hat or accessory are people receiving fair wages for the hours worked within safe and decent environments – sufficient breaks, free staff food and the encouragement of collective bargaining and freedom of association which all instil a sense of self-worth and pride.
Nepal is often in the news – but sadly for the wrong reasons. As you read on, we are trying to do
our best to make the smallest of impacts on the lives of everyone connected with KuSan.the same Nepali factory since our inception. Over the years we have built a strong and special partnership – our businesses have developed intrinsically over the years.
We love seeing our warm stuff in action!
Use the hashtag #lovekusan on Instagram for a chance to be featured on our gallery.
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