BUILT WITH PURPOSE
Our Commitment to Sustainability
our commitment to
Sustainability
In a time where we have realized the impact of fast fashion and the damage our “I need it now” consumer mentality has created both ethically and environmentally, it is evident that change is the only way forward. The impact of big businesses, self-interested players in a global market, rapid growth in travel, and more have led to what has been declared as a “Climate Emergency.” In other words, a ticking time bomb of irreversible damage to our world and its ecosystems if major changes aren’t implemented. Former President, and advocate for the National Park System, Theodore Roosevelt, famously warned against such harms:“Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children’s children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches, or its romance.”
At Mountain Khakis, our goal as a company moving into the future is to create a premium quality product that you can be sure doesn’t weigh on your conscience. We have taken this pledge earnestly and work tirelessly to ensure our garments are made in ways that not only honor the environment but also our ethical standards of leadership. Nationally, we have partnered with Recover Brands and utilize their 100% recycled material t-shirts, as well as DuPont’s Sorona material—an ecologically conscious and sustainable alternative to down feathers.
Internationally, we have chosen to work with Maliban Textiles, one of the largest apparel manufacturers in Sri Lanka and ranked as one of the most advanced in South East Asia. As an eco-friendly and labor friendly producer of quality garments, their innovation, adaptability, and application of modern technologies puts them at the forefront of the industry, and are predicted to become a smart facility by 2025.
Maliban’s strategy for sustainability is achieved by aligning with organizations like Carbon Footprint and CleanChain, increasing the use of sustainable raw materials and packaging, reducing energy consumption and water usage, decreasing industrial water waste, and controlling and eliminating restricted substances.
Sustainability is a priority across all parts of the company, and every part of the manufacturing process uses less energy and creates less waste year after year, as they continue to streamline their processes. This yearly waste reduction amidst growth is essential to us as we consider the climate crisis our world faces, and our responsibility to reduce our footprint on all fronts.
Some of their most impactful waste reduction has come from using Jeanologia, a sophisticated washing and drying system. They are able to boost productivity, reduce water and energy consumption, and eliminate damaging emissions and discharge.
There is zero discharge, water is recovered as a clean stream to be recycled, and the concentrated water can be disposed of or reduced to a solid.
With the use of e-flow technology, only a 1:4 ratio of water per product is used, resulting in 75% water saving and a 55% chemical usage reduction.
Laser technology has reduced drying times by using a fixed monitoring laser beam to calculate drying times.
Automatic dosing systems make it simple to monitor the process, as well as the amount and variety of chemicals necessary for production. This not only helps save energy, but allows for the least chemical usage while being completely transparent about what kind of chemicals are being used and what quantity. It is also ideal for the workers, as it limits contact with chemicals and ultimately improves health and safety. Maliban’s goal is to use 100% eco friendly chemicals, they are constantly researching alternative chemicals to minimize their impact on the environment.
Maliban’s facilities are equipped with a variety of energy saving tools, such as a steam condensate recovery system for water reuse. Biomass boilers that run on agricultural biomass like wood pellets as opposed to gas, avoiding the use of fossil fuels and emitting substantially less carbon. Steam cooking vessels are used to avoid the use of liquefied petroleum gas. This goes beyond the manufacturing process as well, using solar energy, LED lighting,vapor absorption machines, and VRV systems for air conditioning.
Maliban provides jobs to over 12,000 employees, working out of 11 facilities. As one of the first companies in Sri Lanka to align with the ‘Garments Without Guilt’, a campaign championing the cause of ethical labor practices and the use of environmentally friendly factories. They are dedicated to the fight against forced labor and discrimination by paying fair wages, hiring a workforce of 70% women, and providing exemplary working conditions ensuring the safety of workers. This allows for greater output without the harm of fast-fashion practices or poverty-level wages for workers.
We can't be passionate about the outdoors and not bring in a conscious effort to our apparel. We can’t be for the environment and disregard how our clothes are being made and the people who make them. Unethical manufacturing will harm everything we love, and threaten the livelihood of the people who work hard to create it. Nature, humankind, ethics and environment are all intertwined. It is our goal to blend each sector of life into a business model that makes you, our consumer, comfortable and proud to wear Mountain Khakis. We are honored that you support our brand, and we value you enough to ensure what you’re putting on your body isn’t at the cost of the land and people we love so dearly.