Our Commitment to
Sustainability
Living symbiotically with the natural environment has been integral to human survival and belief systems around the world. The industrial revolution and resulting modern linear economy have created a system where limited resources become low-quality products that eventually become unusable waste.
Rather than viewing ourselves as separate from the environment, our actions can honor our role within the natural systems we live in. In this way, there can be a sense of reciprocity and of collaboration with environmental cycles.
Long before “sustainability'“ became a buzzword, indigenous peoples have have listened to the flow of the natural world around them to find unique ways to live in balance. The natural world guides decision-making in many indigenous communities and organizations. We believe supporting indigenous manufacturing will unlock the true potential of the sustainability movement in the modern day.
Land+Object seeks to promote interdependence with the environment as a way of life, and we reflect that in our business choices. By integrating these values and ideals within the circular economy model, we plan to do business in harmony with people, animals, and the land.
Sustainability is employed At LAND+OBJECT with focus on four main areas: design, fabric and materials, manufacturing, and packaging.
Design
Sustainability begins in the design process at our studio in Santa Fe, NM on Tewa lands. At LAND+OBJECT we design with the circular economy model in mind. This term refers to a system that is regenerative and closed, where waste is minimized and cycled back into production. The circular economy model has many benefits: it's sustainable, reduces waste, creates jobs, and increases profits for companies. It's also better for consumers, as its products are more durable because they're made from higher-quality materials.
In a truly sustainable model, everything about a product is ethically and environmentally considered. Products are designed and optimized to last as long as possible, while also fitting well, looking good, and feeling great. Of course, this principle has been championed by indigenous communities who have lived by these principles for eons.
We proudly collaborate with NYC-based knitwear designer Christine Arra, who shares our commitment to sustainability and design. Formerly a designer for Calypso and Ralph Lauren, Christine helps bring our design concepts to life with expertly crafted tech packs, world-class fashion design skills, and business insight gained from years of experience. She also holds accreditation in sustainable design entrepreneurship from FIT.
By prioritizing the integrity of the design, we are working to eliminate waste by creating something that will remain a high-quality product for as long as possible.
Fabric &
Materials
Land+Object was built to support the symbiotic relationship between land, animals, and people. This means that ethical sourcing and materials are where we shine!
Sustainability from the indigenous perspective is a way of life, reflecting permanence and durability over time. We have kept these concepts in mind while sourcing fabric for our products, focusing on eco-friendly materials made from ethical natural fibers.
Our socks are made from ethically sourced and produced camel fur from the Mongolian steppes. Mongolia has a long history of nomadic traditions, including raising camels for transportation, wool, and milk. Over time, Mongolian culture has fostered a unique connection and appreciation for their camels that began thousands of years ago when Bactrian camels were domesticated to carry people and goods on the Silk Road.
Yaks, similarly, were domesticated thousands of years ago and have become very abundant at higher altitudes in Mongolia. They are widely revered for their incredible ability to transport heavy loads and withstand harsh Mongolian winters.
This special relationship and unique bond between herders and their camels acts as a representation of the symbiotic and interdependent relationships Land+Object seeks to highlight.
Manufacturing
Sustainability is a buzzword in the manufacturing industry. It’s a trend that many capitalize on, but few truly understand what it means. Sustainable manufacturing is not just about carbon emissions or water usage—it’s about understanding how your products are made and making sure they come from ethical sources of labor and materials.
To us, sustainable manufacturing means using local resources whenever possible, being aware of our carbon footprint, and working with factories that treat employees well and pay them fair wages. This kind of awareness allows us to sell better products, while also helping small business flourish in Mongolia. Sustainability is about knowing the process of how our products are made, and the people who make them.
We believe that true sustainability means being able to understand and appreciate where our products come from. At Land+Object, we work with a women-led textile mill, Erdenet Cashmere. The majority of the manufacturing takes place in a northern Mongolian tsum (“town”) called Erdenet. We have visited this factory, and have personal relationships with the people there. In recent years, Ulaanbaatar (the capital city of Mongolia where Sheyenne grew up) has also become a hub for the local textile industry. Our partners continue to grow and evolve their business, as a result, some of our manufacturing now takes place here as well.
Our connection with our manufacturers is an expression of our belief that the global economy should be organized around local communities, not the other way around. In this way, we hope that by working with craftspeople in Mongolia who share our values—and supporting them as they build their own businesses—we can help support sustainable economic models for all people.
Packaging
For a truly circular model, each and every part of the business process must be considered. Ethical packaging begins by being as minimal as possible, avoiding plastic wrap, bubble wrap, and styrofoam, and switching to recycled materials wherever possible. But this is only the beginning of what truly sustainable packaging can mean.
Our packaging is printed at Ofuskie’s Studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Each package is then lovingly cut and wrapped by hand. We use EcoEnclose packaging exclusively, which relies on plastic-free shipping solutions and biodegradable materials. EcoEnclose follows a thorough sustainable packaging framework that reflects our values at Land+Object, including designing for maximum circularity and minimum greenhouse gas emissions.
Land+Object is also a supporter of the #boycottULINE movement. ULINE is a US-based shipping materials company that has pushed its political and religious agenda onto customers, while also disregarding calls to reduce wasteful catalog mailers, adding hidden fees and charges, and using poor-quality materials.
Read all about it 📰
Read all about it 📰
We produce a weekly newsletter about sustainability and design! Read all about it by clicking the link below.