Protecting the Environment
Optimising lower impact and less polluting practices in our process and products:
Mashu uses materials based on conservation of raw materials, toxic-free solutions, and with minimal dependency on natural resources. For example we are using materials from recycled polyester and plastic. That means reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions into the atmosphere by 80% compared to the traditional petrol-based polyester production process. We also use natural fibres such as Pinatex a leather alternative made from cellulose fibres extracted from pineapple leaves. Recycled Cotton, Hemp and plant based leather alternatives made from cactus and corn. All of our materials are recyclable at the end of their useful life and some can even biodegrade. Our handles are all made from wooden offcuts from a furniture company in Greece that would otherwise be thrown or burned creating a circular economy and cradle2cradle design system
Why Not Leather?
Leather is not sustainable.
Between the tannery and the dye house, leather receives multiple applications of chemical preservatives, colorants, stiffeners, and modifiers to give it its desired finish. These additives are harmful to the environment and human health, and make the material impossible to biodegrade. On top of the leather production process, animal husbandry is one of the leading causes of climate change, due to the heavy use of resources needed including land, water, food and fuel. As a brand, we are aware that some vegan alternatives out there can be just as bad in terms of resources used. That’s why we spend a huge amount of our time researching to find the most sustainable alternatives to leather available in the market. Our efforts, findings and solutions are ever evolving.
MASHU X COMPARE ETHICS
“Transparency within our supply chain is very crucial ”
In a world of greenwashing and misinterpretation we wanted to verify our sustainability claims with a third-party verification to help us prove what we say is what we do. By being as transparent as we can, we hope to build meaningful, trusting relationships with our community. Our partnership with Compare Ethics allows us to share evidence-based credentials for each product.
MASHU X TREEAPP
We work with TreeApp to plant 5 trees for every bag purchased. By planting trees, we can increase carbon capture, revitalise species and provide social and economic benefits to local communities. The planting activities are performed by local tree-planting NGO’s, who make sure every single tree they plant benefits endemic species and local communities.
Our Materials
Choosing the right materials is at the forefront of each collection, and in many ways is the most important part of the design process. All materials are selected based on the conservation on natural resources, and we prioritise options that are organic, plant based, recycled, circular and cruelty free. In tandem with material DNA, our team focus on finding responsible suppliers who have values which align with our own.
PIÑATEX®
Piñatex is a vegan leather alternative made from the leaves of the pineapple plant, a byproduct of the fruit industry which are traditionally discarded or burned. Adding value to this waste has created a new source of income for farming communities who otherwise rely on a seasonal harvest. Once the fibre has been stripped from the leaf the leftover biomass is retained to use as a natural fertiliser or biofuel, offering a further economic prospect.
To maintain your Piñatex bag, we recommend regular natural waxing to maintain its features. Marks can be cleaned with water, using a damp soft cloth or sponge. Piñatex® is water resistant, not waterproof. To keep Piñatex waterproof we recommend regular application of a waterproofing spray.
Hemp
Hemp is a natural fibre that requires very little water to survive. It's natural properties reduce pests, so the plant doesn’t need any pesticides or chemicals to cultivate. Additionally, Hemp returns all of the nutrients that it takes from the soil Hemp is an amazing fibre unlike cotton it requires very little water to survive. Hemp naturally reduces pests so it doesn’t require any pesticides and chemicals to cultivate. It also returns all nutrients that it takes from the soil, resulting in minimal soil erosion – a large environmental issue that materials like cotton cause. To keep your hemp bag waterproof we recommend regular application of a waterproofing spray.
Desserto
Desserto is a vegan leather alternative made from cactus. The plant requires minimal amounts of resources to grow, namely water, with the ability to survive on rain alone. Only the leaves of the cactus are collected and used for Desserto, so plants are not killed during the harvest. The mature leaves are then dried using pure sunlight, using no additional energy resources. Desserto is soft to the touch, durable, breathable and can partially biodegrade. Cacti have amazing properties. They naturally regenerate the soil, they are a natural carbon sinks and they are really resilient plants meaning they can grow in degraded soils where other crops cannot.
Recycled Cotton
We partner with The New Denim Project, who collect and sorts post- industrial waste from local garment factories. Gathered scraps are ground into fibre, spinning it into new yarns that are then woven into new fabrics.
The process is chemical free, dye free and uses minimal resources like water and energy. The process uses only 100% natural and compostable materials and any leftovers of cottonseed and cotton lint are passed on to coffee growers in the highlands of Guatemala to use as compost for the coffee beans. By using recycled cotton we reduce carbon emissions, water, energy usage and minimises the use of virgin materials. By reusing discarded textiles, we are creating an endless lifecycle a cradle to cradle method.
Bio Veg/Corn
BioVeg is a recycled polyester material made from plastic bottles and plant based materials. Made from non GMO field corn crop, BioVeg has a smaller environmental impact than petroleum based alternatives and emits significantly less CO2 emissions. BioVeg is highly durable, strong and water resistant. It’s a PETA approved material that is soft to the touch and closely resembles real leather.