Ethics & Sustainability
We are putting a lot more focus towards our ethics and sustainability practices this year. We love how new-age consumers have started an ethics movement, and are pushing back on brands to step up and acknowledge and achieve fair rights and conditions in the workplace. We have just recently moved our production from Bali to China, mainly because we are interested in working with recycled fabrics, and that's something we just didn't have access to in Indonesia.
Our Chinese factory is located near Hangzhou, in the Zhejiang Province. They are ethically certified and have passed all audit reports. The factory employs 80 people and has many ethical procedures in place, including great working conditions for staff and above award wages. We are looking forward to visiting this factory next year and finding out more about their processes to together work towards a more sustainable future for Nine Lives Bazaar.
In addition to this we have started working with a swimwear factory in Bali who solely work with recycled fabrics made from discarded fishing nets and discarded plastics. This is a lovely factory run by a western man who provides the best working conditions we have seen in Indonesia, including above award wages (they are paid at least 1.5x the minimum wage - mainly they receive at least twice the minimum wage and sometimes up to 3-5 times) and family benefits - like receiving free medical insurance for a spouse and up to three children. All employees receive a yearly bonus of one month's wage. This factory also donates directly to help preserve and protect the West Kalimantan rainforest as part of the Seraya Education Project. They also have several eco certifications.
We have just overhauled our packaging and are now using compostable postage bags. These are partly made from plants, will degrade with no toxic residues and are compostable at home.