3-POINT SUSTAINABILITY TEST

Use this simple 3-Point Sustainability Test to ensure you’re purchasing sustainable products.

What Is Sustainability?

Sustainability is much more than simply using recycled materials. The level of a products sustainable commitment can be evaluated by Sustainability’s Three Pillars:

Sustainability’s Three Pillars

Environmental Impact
Environmental impact is minimized during the extraction and use of raw materials, conversion to finished goods, and waste material created. At Distant Village, the majority of our packaging is produced from abundant and renewable natural materials and reclaimed waste. Artisans convert these raw materials into packaging using hand-crafted methods, including solar and steam heat and manual assembly, minimizing the energy and waste often produced through automation and machines. When conventional dyes are necessary, waste water from the dying process is captured, treated, and cleaned before it is returned to the environment. Our preference, when possible, is to use natural dyes which further minimize the stress on our environment.

Economic Contribution
By working with disadvantaged communities and people, new jobs are created, skills are strengthened and personal dignity blossoms. Distant Village works with economically-dislocated communities to create stable work, provide reliable income, and infuse new capital. Artisans are empowered to earn fair wages, support their families, take pride in their work, and enjoy job growth.

Community Commitment
Sustainable businesses develop long-lasting relationships and sincere social commitments to communities which they work with.  Ideally, the contributions to the community should involve both financial and sincere personal involvement. Organizations with deep community commitments brings real progress to individuals in regard to personal, family, and community development.  Distant Village contributes to communities with which it works through scholarship programs, disaster relief aid, sponsorship of events in the arts, healthy exercise and nutrition, one-on-one mentorship, and other community initiatives.  We see results from these efforts, including on-going improvements and an increasingly better quality of living.