Ethics & Sustainability

Garment Repair

Where we started:

• Collected all basewear that was damaged or worn beyond re-sell. We called it the "No Sale" bin. We weren't sure how to repurpose it.

• Repurposed any damaged items into a gear sale.

What we've accomplished:

→ Introduced the Basewear Repair Program offering a repair service for garments to live a longer lifespan. Yay! We repaired over 26 garments in the first year, and continue to adjust the program to be more sustainable in the long term.

→  Created the "How to Repair your Basewear" guides. We will send you supplies to repair your Basewear!

What we're working on:

• Empowering customers with sustainability knowledge and repair workshops.

• Repairing old No Sale garments for raffles that go towards a good cause.

Diversity & Inclusion

Where we started:

• Encouraging women to be proud of who they are. Representing uniqueness, individuality and encouraging self expression.

• Signed the Diversify Outdoors CEO Pledge to improve diversity and inclusivity in our brand.

 What we've accomplished:

→ Basewear at any age! We're integrating photos of all ages into our marketing.

→ Basewear for all gender expressions! We're creating welcoming spaces for LGBTQIA2S+ in our social presence.

→ We introduced inclusive numerical sizing and an expanded size range from 0 – 12. Sizes 8-12 will be stocked next month!

What we're working on:

• Production going forward will include sizes 0-12

• Creating new designs to support larger cup sizes, and various body needs.

• Expanding our size range as demand requires: SZ 14 Shorts are currently in development.

Shipping Materials

Where we started:

• 2018 - 88% recycled post-consumer shipping materials.

• 2020 - 100% recycled post-consumer shipping materials.

• Compostable shipping labels with thermal ink-less printing.

What we've accomplished:

→ 100% COMPOSTABLE shipping materials. Yay! We finally got rid of the recycled plastic poly bags. Everything from our shippers, polybags, and even the shipping labels are now fully compostable. 

→ Hangtags are printed on FSC certified paper and twine is natural hemp.

What we're working on:

• Streamlining our online experience to minimize exchanges (and therefor less shipping back and forth).

• Designing sustainable cardboard hangars.

Sustainable Design 

Where we started:

• Designed garments to have a high value, strong durability, and long life cycle.

• We identify potential garment issues early through tons of feedback, fit tests, and wear tests. 

What we've accomplished:

→ We identified that the most common cause of basewear failure is stretched straps. So, we updated our design to include reinforced straps for a longer lifespan.

What we're working on:

While designing new products we continue to rigorously test them to identify any design improvements that can be made to extend their lifespan.

Recycling Textile Waste

Where we started:

• Collected all scrap fabric from in-house prototype and construction for re-use.

• Attempting to save scrap fabric from cutting room floor of manufacturing facilities (sorting this was not easy!)

What we've accomplished:

→  This one's tough! We're still working on it.

What we're working on:

• Improving production techniques to reduce fabric waste from cutting, or re-use deadstock fabric scraps

• Creating DIY craft kits to re-use existing scrap fabric.

• Working with artists to repurpose scraps into items to be raffled for a good cause.

• Designing small accessories to repurpose larger fabric scraps. 

Sourcing Sustainable Fabrics

Where we started:

• Fabrics consisting of Nylon / Spandex blend: plastic based fabrics.

• Researching fabric that uses recycled nylon or polyester to replace virgin nylon.

What we've accomplished:

→ All production will be switched to 100% Post Consumer recycled fibers as of Aug. 24th, 2023 (yay!). This was a big initiative, because finding fabric that performed as well as our current fabric was not easy. Plus, we had to switch to all black - and we know you love the colors. However, sustainability is forever our priority!

What we're working on:

• Working to source more sustainable trims like elastic, mesh, etc.

• Integrating more natural textiles (i.e. organic cotton, or merino) for future product lines.

Manufacturing Ethics & Sustainability

Where we started:

• Local manufacturing in various locations. We had to drive all over the place to get each step of construction completed.

• Local manufacturing in one location at a woman minority owned factory.

• Plastic free shipping.

What we've accomplished:

→ We've sourced a wonderful factory that meets our requirements for labor and sustainability practices. Your Basewear is now ethically made in Colombia. We visited both our textile factory and cut & sew facility and were blown away by their initiatives to:

→ Clean all water used in textile dying processes so that it can be released back into the environment with no chemicals or toxins.

→ Focus on creating progressive and sustainable textiles

→ Create women centered programs for the laborers who cut and sew our garments including benefits, learning opportunities, and more.

What we're working on:

• Providing additional benefits for workers.

• Working to trace our supply chain further beyond textile and manufacturing facilities.

Sustainability Inside TK

Where we started:

Sustainability in the office. We re-use shipping materials and minimize waste as much as possible.

What we've accomplished:

→ Sustainability is part of the TK ethos and culture. Our design and daily efforts are always focused on sustainability.

→ Achieved more energy efficient heating for our workspace.

What we're working on:

• Researching how to better measure our impact and improve.