It has never in the history of business and trading been easier to make great profit margins by using (or abusing) what are essentially get-rich-quick methods. More and more are online stores taken over by shopify shops that use products from AliExpress or other drop-ship platforms. Massive platforms like Shein or Temu only add to this problem of over-production and unethical ways of producing products. Because of fast fashion, incredibly large amounts of the products produced end up in landfills instead of actually being bought. Even worse: the quality is usually far from what you want it to be since it's made as a "trend" item rather than an actual piece of clothing or accessory.
We don't like that.
It has taken us a substantial amount of time to figure out how to make our store more sustainable (and most importantly: to have no affiliation with AliExpress), but we can confidently say that we are continuing to grow our line of eco-friendly products and do everything in our power to be as sustainable as we can be. Most of the items in our catalog are free of animal products too.
We will tell you just what we're doing about it in this article.
Eco-friendly product line
Our vegan, organic, recycled and eco-friendly product line represents a conscious decision to move away from animal-based materials and embrace cruelty-free and eco-friendly alternatives. By offering vegan options, we aim to empower consumers to make ethical choices that align with their values. This line showcases our commitment to animal welfare, reducing our ecological footprint, and fostering a more compassionate world.
Are our products Eco-Friendly or recycled?
There are a lot of reasons why a product or material could be considered sustainable. Currently, at Apollo Imperium, our eco-friendly product collection consists of items made of at least 70% organic or recycled materials, or a mix of these materials. To verify material content, we collect valid certificates from our suppliers. As proof of the organic composition of the apparel products, we only accept GOTS or OCS certificates. For recycled composition, we accept either GRS or RCS certificates.
Are our products vegan?
Most of the items in our catalog are free of animal products. All items from the eco-friendly collection are also PETA-Approved Vegan. If the product carries a PETA-Approved Vegan certificate, it’s mentioned with a "vegan" label in the upper left corner of the product (not visible on the product page, only in the store pages and product galleries) and in the description.
Creating products on Demand: Reducing Waste and Carbon Footprint
Around 85% of all textiles produced by the fashion industry end up in landfills, making it a major contributor to environmental damage. What’s more, one in every five items produced by the fashion industry reaches landfills without being worn even once.
We choose to create our products on demand. By only creating items when they are ordered, this method effectively reduces waste, minimizes carbon emissions, and makes a positive impact on landfill waste. By creating on demand, we don't need to have much stock or inventory at all, which in turn leaves us with barely any wasted products.
This has one negative: our products usually have longer shipping times than other brands. But in our opinion it is well worth the wait. We would rather have a clean conscience than a one-day shipping policy.
1. Minimizing Waste
Creating products on demand eliminates the need for excessive inventory and mass production, leading to a significant reduction in waste. With traditional methods, surplus products often end up discarded or unused, contributing to landfill waste. In contrast, creating them on demand ensures that items are created only when there is a demand for them, drastically reducing the amount of wasted resources and materials.
2. Reducing Carbon Emissions
The on-demand model also plays a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions. Traditional methods involve large-scale production and transportation, which result in substantial greenhouse gas emissions. Creating on demand, on the other hand, allows for localized production, minimizing the need for long-distance shipping. By cutting down on transportation-related emissions, this approach contributes to a greener and more sustainable future.
3. Positive Impact on Landfill Waste
One of the significant environmental benefits of creating products on demand is the reduction of landfill waste. With traditional methods, excess or unsold inventory often ends up in landfills, adding to the growing waste problem. But creating them on demand prevents this unnecessary waste by producing items only when there is a confirmed order. By reducing the volume of discarded products, we can make big steps in combating the global landfill crisis.
Printing tech and materials
Information about direct-to-garment printing
Our clothing designs are fulfilled using various methods. Many of our products are printed with the direct-to-garment (DTG) technique, which is a printing method where ink is first sprayed directly onto the garment, and then it soaks into the fabric. It’s like printing on paper, but on clothing. We use Kornit printers that generate almost zero wastewater and use less energy than standard industry printers, which lowers our carbon footprint.
The inks we use for printing are Oeko-TexTM certified, vegan, water-based, and free of harmful chemicals. Apollo Imperium takes sustainability seriously, that’s why we take care to properly dispose of any left-over ink according to the ink supplier guidelines.
Phone cases
We use Mimaki UV Inkjet Ink Lus 120 ink for phone cases. This ink is GREENGUARD Gold certified, which means the ink meets the gold certification for building materials, finishes, and furnishings.
Posters
For posters, we use Epson UltraChrome GS3 ink. This ink is also GREENGUARD Gold certified.
Other non-apparel products
For mugs, we use Sawgrass SubliJet HD ink. For selected non-apparel products, stickers, and canvas, we use EPSON SC80610/80600 ink.
Information about embroidery
At Apollo Imperium, we embroider our products with Oeko-TexTM certified threads, meaning they’re safe for both adult and children's clothing. Compared to printing, embroidery is generally more durable and produces less environmental waste.
What policies do we have in place to ensure safe working conditions in our supply chain?
When we partner with suppliers, we ask them to acknowledge that the supplier, as well as its subcontractors, will comply with all applicable laws that prohibit slavery and human trafficking.
We also have a Code of Conduct for our partners that intends to set forth our standards and expectations for key areas of corporate responsibility, including a requirement that our suppliers not support forced labor or collaborate with organizations that use illegal employment practices.
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