What does environmentally responsible mean to Unika Vaev ?
At the moment, there is no single definition of what constitutes an environmentally responsible textile. Until there is, Unika Vaev is taking the strictest interpretation of “green” for our green-labeled products.
• 100% natural materials OR 100% recycled materials
• No additional topcoats, backings or other chemical additives that would detract from the green attributes that the product already has
Only those Unika Vaev fabrics that meet each of the above standards are labeled by us with green tag. For a quick reference, our products that qualify are listed below by category:
100% natural fiber
Biedermeier II • Central Park South • Lana • Nosegay • Option • Wool Crepe • LIFE Textiles
100% recycled fiber
Calypso • Myth • Zephyr • Control • Dual
Whenever possible, we partner with mills that employ efficient manufacturing practices and sustainable materials. Thus, many products in our collection have attributes that are environmentally friendly but do not necessarily meet the qualifications for a green tag. The following products have individual qualities that are increasingly sustainable. Their attributes are noted following the product name.
Atmosphere - 87% bamboo-Bamboo is a rapidly renewable material
Champ • Hoopla – non-PVC products
Crossroads – face: 100% wool
El Paseo – 92% wool
Elysian - 78% wool-natural fiber
Feathered Nest - 59% recycled polyester (100% polyester total) and 100% recyclable material
Fleece – 91% wool
Format • Sequence - 100% recyclable material-Zeftron nylon
Look • Look Twice • Wink • Wink Again – 25% post consumer recycled polyester
Loop de Loop - 24% post consumer polyester
Monaco Stripe - 100% cotton-natural fiber
Moxie • Parade -100% recyclable material-Bella Dura olefin
Parlor - 92% wool
Persuasion - 38-46% recycled polyester depending on the colorway
Rattan -100% recyclable material-polyester
Reveal - 91% recycled polyester (100% polyester total) and 100% recyclable material
Serenity - 75% natural fiber-wool & cotton
Stretch Appeal – 100% recyclable material (polyester)
Unika Plush - 100% natural fiber-mohair & cotton
MBDC Cradle to Cradle Certification
Unika Vaev has several products that have received Cradle to Cradle certification from MBDC. The Cradle to Cradle certification process was developed by American architect William McDonough and German chemist Michael Braungart to classify a product’s ecological and social impact through every stage of its existence, from the production of its component materials to its reusablility upon disposal. In creating a new standard at MDBC, McDonough and Braungart aim to do more than just contain harm through conservation and recycling. They intend to spark nothing less than a new industrial revolution, in which manufacturing becomes a closed loop where the waste from one product becomes a nutrient for the next. Cradle to Cradle certification happens at the manufacturing level where it is possible to consider the impact of the entire production cycle. The products that have this certification are all at the silver level and include:
Lana • Calypso • Moxie • Parade
LIFE Textiles by Instyle
Unika Vaev is exclusive distributor of Instyle's LIFE (Low Impact For the Environment) Textile collection. Included in this group are products of 100% wool, designed to minimize the environmental impact over the entire life cycle including raw material selection, production, use and disposal. The program stipulates the use of clean technologies and all products are produced without the use of toxic substances such as heavy metal dyestuffs. Any additives utilized in the production process, such as detergents and lubricants, are biodegradable.
In addition, Instyle has established the EthEco wool brand, of which all the products are being transitioned to if they are not already EthEco wool. EthEco is made using wool from a breed of Merino sheep that don’t require mulesing (a surgical procedure required for most breeds of sheep due to a parasite), through Australia’s first-ever ethical wool supply agreement for the furnishings industry. EthEco wool is grown on holistically managed farms focused on animal welfare, human health and care for the environment. This attention to all aspects of the supply chain make the LIFE Textiles Collection truly unique in its manufacture.
Atlas • Balance • Classic • Glide • Line • Luna • Planet • Pulse • Sense • Source • Tonic