eco-policy

“The dirtgirlworld team is committed to pursuing the best possible environmental business practices to reduce dirtgirlworld’s eco-footprint. From producing the TV series to the manufacture and sale of consumer products, all partners are asked to assess and acknowledge their environmental impact, and encouraged to set aside funds to support local projects that enable children to live more environmentally sustainable lives. ( dirtgirlworld producers’ sustainability statement)

2% from the sales of all products from this eco-store will be set aside to support projects that help children live more sustainably. In time, we hope to set up the dirtgirlworld foundation. If you have any suggestions about projects that we can support, please contact us.

Sustainability means living within the earth’s limits – improving our health and well-being by reducing and eliminating pollution and waste. It means tackling the root causes of health and environmental problems before they occur. Japanese-Canadian scientist and environmentalist Dr David Suzuki has described sustainability as “living within the Earth’s limits” – limits that have only now become evident to many in government, industry and even the scientific community.

Encouraging consumption might seem at odds with the very heart of dirtgirlworld’s mission to protect the planet. But we believe that a controlled and balanced merchandise program will support the sustainability of the project and of the planet, while teaching our young audience and the adults who care for them how to make choices to minimize their impact on the environment.

All dirtgirlworld products must be relevant and appropriate to the needs of our audience, have a genuine and meaningful purpose in today’s world and be produced and packaged with the good of the planet in mind. And we are committed to communicating this to you. dirtgirlworld was not created to make landfill. Providing the tools to live a sustainable life is a genuine commitment to you, our audience.

We have developed six sustainability criteria for all our products and we will continue to refine them as new materials and processes become available. To be accepted, all products must meet criteria 1,2 & 3, and as we grow, we have strong ambitions for all our products to meet criteria 4,5,& 6.

1. Sustainable materials – Organic and renewable materials are the priority option for all products. Recycled materials are to be used only where toxicity does not carry through to the final product and where chemical and water use have been measured and accounted for. Cotton should be sourced from farms where natural rainfall is sufficient to supply water needs.

2. Eco-packed – As a principle, all dirtgirlworld products must use as little packaging material as possible (REDUCE). It must have at least one (and preferrably more) second purpose (REUSE) and be made of 100% recycled or recyclable materials (RECYCLE). Some emerging natural materials such as bamboo fibre and the newer plant based plastics may provide an eco-friendly option and can be used providing they are fully recyclable or compostable and their sustainability credentials can be proven.

3. People friendly – All products are to be created with respect for the people who have made them. We consider everyone who touches any part of any product made for us to be a partner with us.

4. Energy smart – Products should made using renewable energy, promote energy efficiency and/or minimize energy use in transport.

5. Organic - Products should be made without chemicals which adversely affect people or the environment. To demonstrate compliance with this element GOTS certification or an equivalent is required for the processing of any organic yarn or raw material. Organic yarn or raw materials must carry with them independent and verifiable certification such as that provided by IFOAM.

6. Low waste – dirtgirlworld products should be designed to have a long life, be reused, recycled, composted and be biodegradable. In addition, cotton and other waste generated through the manufacturing process should be reduced, reused, recycled, or composted. Dyes are to be made and used in a controlled environment where waste-water is thoroughly treated. Zero waste production methods are preferred.

Packing and postage
We will use recycled packaging wherever we can and use as little packaging as possible to send your products whilst ensuring that they arrive in first class condition. Should any of your items arrive in less than great shape, please return the product to us along with the original packaging (so we can show the nice ladies at the post office what happened and ensure it doesn't happen again) within 14 days of purchase, and we will replace your item at no charge.
And if the product is faulty WE will pay for the postage.

We hope you will be able to reuse - and eventually recycle - all our packaging materials!