NASAQU Environmental Policy

We are the Natives of The Earth

NASAQU Environmental Policy

Version: 1.0

Effective from: October 2022

Owner: Founders of NASAQU

Statement

Our fashion choices significantly impact our planet. Therefore, we prioritize environmental, social, and ethical responsibilities and values in every step of our designs, sourcing, and production practices. We are comfortable with being uncomfortable. We never rest and insist on our sustainability goals. This is why we have created this policy to have the journey with our business partners and supply chains for a greater purpose.

This policy sets out our position and how we ensure our statement above.

This policy is owned and managed by the founders and is expected to be compiled in full.

Why Are We Conscious of Environmental Issues?

Sustainability is defined as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

We feel this statement from the bottom of our hearts as NASAQU founders. Therefore we are committed to moving forward with sustainably conscious minds in every step we take.

Policy

Environmental policy can not be separated from NASAQU policies for

Animal Welfare
Sustainably Sourced Low Impact Material Use,

The details of the above policies can be found as separate documents.

First Mother Earth Then Profit:

We want to leave as small a carbon footprint as possible. In buying fabrics, to eliminate mining-farming, processing, and dying, we go for high-quality but unutilized fabrics and recycled fabrics. Our choices of accessories also include recycled materials.

You are required to be part of this journey as our business partners and supply chains by following the requirements that are outlined in the Policy of Sustainably Sourced Low Impact Material Use,

Paws & Claws and Tails Included:

Animals are the Natives of the Planet Earth as well. We believe that sustainability can not exist without Animal Rights being secured. Therefore, we do not use materials that are animal-made and or farmed-mined in places where animal habitats on land and water are ruined.

You are required to be part of this journey as our business partners and supply chains by following the requirements that are outlined in the policy for Animal Welfare.

Our Promise for 2030

We share our future plan with you below which we aim to achieve by 2030. These are our promises to our followers- the Natives of the Earth-

You are required to understand those goals and commit to achieving them with us in your productions and services.

Our overall goal is to minimize our environmental impact on the planet and create a more livable world for future generations, therefore

We will make 100% recycled and environmentally friendly choices in our raw materials and production processes.

38% of our collections are made with recycled cotton (GRS certified),
Our 2025 promise of converting 65% of our products recycled is going to enable us to take a phased approach to achieve our 2030 goal.
All Recycled Content used in NASAQU production is to be certified to Recycled Content Standard (RCS) or Global Recycling Standard (GRS). This includes but is not limited to recycled cotton, recycled polyester, and recycled down. You are required to submit the required certifications for bulk productions.

We will continue to reduce our carbon footprint, protect natural resources and commit to the betterment of the habitats and lives of animals.

To reduce the carbon footprint created during transportation and transmission, we carry out all our raw material supply, design processes, production, and warehouse operations in the close vicinity of Istanbul-Turkey. You are required to do the operations in the same manner and avoid unnecessary transportation during NASAQU productions.

Our branding, washing instruction, size labels, hang-tags, and accessories are made from OEKO TEX-certified and GRS-certified recycled materials. You are required to meet these requirements in bulk productions on the same.

We recycle our fabric waste and scraps generated during cutting and strictly follow our responsibility towards nature from end to end. Our production waste turns into new beautiful fabrics. You are required to sort your cut waste which is generated through NASAQU productions and delivered to recommended local recycling partners that are specified by NASAQU- so those can be turned into yarn and fabric eventually.

We do not perform processes that require additional water use.

We stay away from raw materials that use water resources intensively and use mainly Recycled Cotton and High Quality Unutilized Fabrics made for others. Thus, water consumption in both agricultural and factory stages is out of the question for NASAQU products. In 2022, 38% of our designs were made with Recycled and 56% of the High-Quality Unutilized Fabrics.

You are required to meet these requirements in bulk productions on the same. We require a transparent relationship with our business partner and supply chains during fabric selections to meet the above criteria.

As we do not require wet finishes on our garments you are required to avoid such finishes at the development stages. Remember that there is always a way to have a unique product without consuming much water.

Avoiding Chemicals:

We stay away from all applications that require chemical treatment on our designs.

Decorative printing processes that contain chemicals are never included in our designs, instead, we use embroideries that reflect our love of nature using special techniques.

We use accessories that have a minimal environmental impact and do not use dyes and chemicals in our products.

Our hang-tags are produced from recycled paper and kept in their raw color.

You are required to comply with the above requirements and are responsible to present the evidence of compliance at the development and bulk production stages.

We will remove non-renewable energy use in our business, business partners, and supply chains by switching to 100% renewable energy use gradually by 2030.

As we are committed to switching to renewable electricity use in our promises by 2030, we also ask our business partners and supply chains to join us on this journey, and switch/increase their use of renewables 100% in their businesses.

The road map is going to be as follows, you are required to provide evidence of compliance for each step detailed below,

All Tier 1 switch to renewable electricity by 2027 either purchasing certified renewable electricity (Renewable Energy Certificate-IREC) or electricity generated from the solar panels in their own facility
All Tier 2 factories used by Tier 1 - switch to renewable electricity by 2030 either from certified renewable electricity (IREC) or electricity generated from the solar panels in their own facility

We will eliminate the coal-fired energy use from the operations of our business partners and supply chains by 2030. As a business we are a coal-free brand in our own operations, therefore you are required to comply with this requirement on the same.

The road map is going to be as follows, you are required to provide evidence of compliance for each step detailed below,

You are required to declare the fuel types used in the factory operations (e.g. boilers, heating & cooling, electricity generators).
If you use coal you are required to inform NASAQU immediately so we will work with you to agree on a sustainable roadmap to removing the use of coal from the factories. (possible solutions include but are not limited to the use of any organic matter that can be used to produce energy- biomass, and natural gas)

Self-Assessment Tools

The use of renewable energy will continue to be an essential reason for preference in our selection of new manufacturers and suppliers. Therefore if you are a candidate to join NASAQU’s supply chain, you are required to self-assess your operations prior to any order placed in your business by NASAQU. “The Factory Sustainability Checklist for Self-Assessment “ will be shared with you following the initial introduction meetings.

This checklist does not only cover renewable energy-related questions but also requires information about your business’ sustainability status. We believe that it is a great tool to initiate sustainability-related conversations and discuss common goals with the candidate producers.

This policy also has the aim to contribute to the following UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, every effort counts!