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There are three main areas that UJeans keeps in mind when it comes to its business operations: Environmental, Social, and Economical.

  • UJeans is committed to making products that are as environmentally friendly as possible.
  • UJeans is committed to being socially responsible and will only deal with companies that treat people ethically and with respect.
  • UJeans is committed to ensuring that its suppliers pay employees a Living Wage. UJeans wants to also provide people with the means and tools to make their lives better.


 
Environment   Sustainable Growth Cotton

Pesticides use for cotton in relation to area under cultivation is disproportional, which is a serious threat to the ecosystem and health of communities. At the same time, cotton is 3rd in its consumption of available freshwater resources. Cotton being a high input crop plays a significant role in quantitative and qualitative degradation of freshwater resources. Indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers also has adverse impacts on the environment and biodiversity in cotton grown areas.

Cotton used in UJeans denim has been sourced using cotton from the Pakistan Sustainable Cotton Initiative. By having denim made from sustainable sources, we are doing our part to be more responsible. It takes considerable resources to produce the cotton that goes into a pair of UJeans. Being conscientious about our impact when creating the perfect pair of jeans we do our part making the planet a better place.

Washing the Friendly Way

All dying processes have some impact on the environment. However using natural minerals and enzymes is a safe and more environmentally responsible method for colouring our jeans. Our colouring process is free of harsh chemicals such as chlorine bleach, formaldehyde and azo.

Azo dyes contain toxic and potentially carcinogenic by-products. The European Commission has already passed a directive (76/769EEC), that bans the usage of azo dyes for use in textile or leather products which come in "direct or prolonged" contact with the skin or mouth. Azo dyes also resist biodegradation o they are difficult to remove from the enviornment.

Reduce, Reuse & Recycle

Selling and shipping jeans consumes many resources that are not recyclable. A benefit of re-inventing the way consumers shop for jeans is that you can re-invest other aspects. We are constantly looking at our own processes to see what we can make more environmentally friendly. Two areas that stood out to us were the packaging of UJeans in our partner stores and the packaging used for sending UJeans to customers.

The UJeans kit is what our retail partners use to sell the perfect pair of jeans. This kit is CD sized contains all of the necessary items a customer needs for their first pair of UJeans. This kit, after it has been used, will not be thrown out. It is ideal for storing a few DVDs, pencils or other smaller items.

The UJeans denim bag is what we use to mail out our jeans to our customers. Made from reclaimed denim, this bag is more than sturdy enough to withstand punishment of the postal and courier industry. Again this bag will not be thrown out. We have received notices from our customers who have recycled them into purses, make-up bags, pencil cases, over-night bags even a sleeping bag for a stuffed animal.

What will you do with yours?


  
Fair Trade and Trade Fairly

Fair Trade is a way of doing business with developing countries. In many developing countries the cost of living is much lower than industrialized countries such as Canada, the US or the EEU. Other countries have a large unskilled work force who can't command higher wages. Manufacturers feel the pressure from companies from industrialized countries fearing that they'll take their business elsewhere. Since many developing countries are desperate for work, they'll take anything they can get, even if it means their workers are desperately poor.

Rather than demanding the least expensive labour, Fair Trade calls for Fair Labour. UJeans ensures that the workers employed at our denim manufacturing facilities are being treated right and paid fairly. Employees receive more than a Living Wage, according to their country's standard of living. These employees receive health benefits, they get paid more than enough to put food on the table, a roof over their heads and send their children to school.

How much were the workers paid who made your stuff?


   Family  
Financial   Teaching People to Fish

"Give a man a fish you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish and you have fed him for a lifetime" - Author unknown

Companies are in business to make a profit, without profit companies will eventually fail. UJeans will always want to make a profit, however we like to share with others through microloans.

"Microloans are provided to unemployed, poor entrepreneurs and others living in poverty who are not considered bankable. These individuals lack collateral, steady employment and a verifiable credit history and therefore cannot meet even the most minimal qualifications to gain access to traditional credit." Source, Wikipedia.

UJeans will be allocating a portion of its sales for microloans through Kiva. Kiva lets you connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org. , you can "sponsor a business" and help the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from the business you've sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back.

How many people can you teach to fish?


      
    Also check out Living Wage Clothing for your t-shirt needs.