Sustainability and Our Responsibility

Sustainability is not a buzzword to us, it is a core part of our essence. In this blog, we want to share our thoughts and plans around this.

What is Sustainability?

Sustainability means meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This holistic concept has 3 pillars - Environment, Economy and Social. 

• Environment / Planet - We should consume natural resources at a rate which leaves enough room for nature to replenish itself like wood and we should reduce where possible consumption of natural resources which can't be replenished like fossil fuels.
• Economy - We should focus on providing exchange of goods and services to provide secure sources of livelihood. 
• Social / People - We should focus not just on monetary aspects, but human rights, basic necessities, culture and social needs.

 

 

Why Sustainability?

We think that sustainability comes down to the kind of future we are leaving for the next generation. Thus, we believe that it is our responsibility to adopt sustainable practises in our entire value chain on an ecological, social and entrepreneurial level. This shapes our decision-making, product designs and the work we do on a daily basis. 

"None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful." – Mother Teresa

Aksa's Sustainability Plan

• Environment / Planet -
• We either use raw materials sourced sustainably or use recycled materials e.g. chindi or sari cloths. Our wood products like this tree of life storage box, are a perfect example of a product where raw material has been obtained sustainably. Our producers buy wood from government certified sources ensuring compliance with EUTR and other International Timber Regulations. We do not use illegal harvested timber in our supply chain.
• We package our products using recycled paper, recyclable brown boxes, and compostable mailers. We avoid use of bubble wraps or plastic packaging materials as much as possible. In near future, we will shift to using environment friendly wrapping solutions e.g. hex paper wraps. 
• We procure most of our shipments by sea (Air shipping releases 30 times more CO2 than shipping by sea), and we send our orders via Australia Post/Sendle which are committed to carbon offset for every shipment.

• Economy - We pay 50% upfront to our producers when order is placed. This provides enough to procure required raw materials and to provide sustenance to artisans. The rest of the 50% amount is paid before the shipment leaves the country of origin. This safeguards their income from any hiccups like replication of our product design by competitors, issues in supply-demand chain or transit lost/damage to goods.

• Social / People - We are part of society and want to contribute to a healthy and sustainable coexistence. For us, this means that we are committed to the well-being of all the producers and artisans we work with. Through our producers, we have been able to contribute in various initiatives that aim to improve different aspects of artisan and their families lives e.g. safety improvements in workshops of our artisans, supplying food packs and necessary hygienic products during COVID-19 global pandemic.

• We work with upstream suppliers and producers which are audited regularly to meet the 10 principles of Fair Trade by the relevant authorities (namely, World Fair Trade Organisation or Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand)

 

We are member of Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand since 2021. This helps us to work in consultation with peers and other Fair Trade organisations to crystallise the sustainability issues that are most central to us. 

 

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
—Margaret Mead