Our approach 

Sustainability is our core value that defines Zebra I Can See commitment to create responsible children wear brand with an equal focus on three different aspects: people, profit and planet. 

The fashion industry is known for its impact on both environmental and social levels. It has become even more evident at the moment as we feel the global effects of climate change and face the challenges of resource scarcity and enormous pollution. Fashion production makes up 10% of humanity's carbon emissions, dries up water sources, and pollutes rivers and streams. We are devastated by the amount of pollution generated from textile and garment manufacturing and want to take action and be a part of a solution.

Zebra I Can See is obliged to focus the efforts on the areas, which we prioritize as number one at present, and operate our business in an environmentally and socially responsible way. As a small company, we have an approach to tackle issues one at time. UN Sustainable Development Goals is a guideline that ensures our sustainability efforts are aligned with global standards. At this stage of Zebra I Can See, we have identified SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production - as our key goal. Therefore ensuring sustainable material and garment production processes within our supply chain and encouraging responsible consumption is a top priority for Zebra I Can See. 

Our vision is to create long lasting basics of the highest quality that become your everyday friends to be cared for and shared. 

Our mission is to inspire children to discover endless creativity and encourage sustainable choices that bring overall happiness.

As new technologies, knowledge and sustainable solutions evolve continuously, our search for ways to improve is constant. We are committed to challenge ourselves and make responsible choices at all times across our business.

 

Designed beyond seasons

Our design philosophy is based on creating high quality basic styles in timeless functionality with a unisex approach that can be effortlessly mix/matched and last beyond trends and seasons.

We believe that timeless design, high quality and loveable style can conquer all the trends and seasons. We are the supporters of slow fashion with no seasons. Children do not need clothing based on fast coming and going trends, they need durable, high quality and comfortable clothes that can last, be loved and also used by other children.

 

Gots organic cotton

Fabric selection has a great importance when it comes to environmental impact.

We use organic cotton for our products, as it is a highly durable and soft natural material that has great functional properties loved by kids. It allows the body to breath, detox and regulate body temperature properly. The organic cotton used for our products is certified by The Global Organic Textile Standard, which is an internationally recognized and worldwide leading organic textile standard. GOTS organic cotton restricts the use of toxic chemicals in the entire manufacturing process from field to fashion. 

This certified organic cotton we use is grown in Turkey and produced in Lithuania. GOTS traces the organic content of textiles and the entire process of cotton production in order to ensure the material is processed environmentally and socially responsible way and provide credible assurances to the consumer. 

Organically grown cotton has the following benefits over conventional:

• Organic cotton is grown without any genetically modified seeds and toxic chemicals.
• It doesn’t damage the soil, but rather enriches it, as there are no toxins going into the ground.
• 46% reduced global warming potential.
• It uses 88% less water as organic farming is mainly rain-fed instead of irrigated.
• 62% reduced primary energy demand.
• Growing organic cotton keeps farmers and their families safe and offers better livelihoods and health

 For more details: https://www.global-standard.org

 

Deadstock fabrics / Zebra limited edition

Fashion is one of the most resource intensive industries. However, the earth’s resources are limited. If the industry continues on its current trajectory, fashion production is predicted to increase by 81% by 2030 , which is pushing the earth beyond its limits. (CEO Agenda 2020)

We always think about how we can contribute to a fashion industry change making more value with less environmental impact. 

One of our initiatives is to use deadstock fabrics. These are textiles that don’t get used by the brands that fabricated them. It can be a matter of wrong fabric or color choice or an overproduction of the fabric. 

In Zebra limited edition, we use GOTS organic cotton deadstock fabrics from our trusted local partner.  By buying deadstock fabric, we are giving it a second chance, so it doesn't potentially end up in the landfill. This allows us to create new products that have a new value.  

We strive to support responsible and sustainable production and challenge industry set patterns of overproduction. 

Limited edition is carefully hand cut and sewn by a lovely Ieva, who found her passion in sewing. We are proud to be able to realize this initiative and produce small quantities with lots of passion, attention to every detail and respect for all the process.

 

Responsible local production

We carefully choose to work with suppliers that share our values of sustainability and offer supply chain transparency. 

Transparency is important for Zebra I Can See and feels as the only way to build a sustainable business. In order to be able to constantly improve within our production, we need to share knowledge and have a close dialogue with our suppliers. 

Local manufacturing is our preference as it offers high quality standards, transparency and ensures social and environmental responsibility. It allows us to work close and build trustful and strong relationships. It also reduces our environmental footprint as we keep our production in one country.  

We have been selective in choosing fabric supplier with the highest environmental, social and technological standards. We are proud to partner with a GOTS certified local manufacturer, a leader in high quality performance fabrics, which are long lasting and most importantly produced without toxic pesticides in the entire textile manufacturing process. This means that the process of cleaning, spinning, dyeing, printing and weaving is done without any harmful chemicals and has strict wastewater treatment practices to avoid water pollution and protect workers and the environment. 

 

Digital printing

Prints are at the core of Zebra I Can See and therefore a very important aspect to consider when it comes to environmental impact and human health.

Dyeing and printing textiles requires massive amounts of water, energy and chemicals.

We can only claim our cotton is organic, if the printing process that colors it, is free of toxic chemicals and doesn't waste and pollute the water and environment. 

Digital printing is one example from a growing list of new, more sustainable fabric – coloring technologies. 

Our local GOTS certified supplier ensures a clean and efficient process of digital printing and controls the chemicals used via complete testing of the wastewaters released when it bleaches, dyes, washes and digitally prints our cotton garments. 

The wastewater is measured and cleaned, as well as any kind of waste is being recycled, transferred into purification plants, taken back by the supplier or transferred to another company to use. 

 

Social responsibility

As much as we care about our children wearing clothes next to their skin everyday, we do care about all the people involved in organic cotton farming and production of textiles. 

We believe in fair, safe and healthy working conditions and social values that include fair working hours, fair wages, safe and non toxic working environment, non-discrimination and certainly no forced labor or child labor.

All of these social compliances are included in GOTS. 

By manufacturing locally and having close dialogue with our suppliers, we ensure there is no unfair or unsafe labor, wages and benefits paid meet national labour standards and working hours comply with national and EU laws. 

 

Downsizing packaging

As much as we care for sustainable fabrics and responsible production processes, we do equally care for how we package our products to you. Our ambition is to use as little packaging as possible.

No plastic should end up in the environment. We are supporting the elimination of plastic waste and pollution. 

Our polybags are made out of recycled plastics - recycled plastic bottles and plastic bags. And they are recyclable. 

For all the products purchased from our webshop, we use these recycled poly bags that come from our production facilities. They keep our items safe in the warehouse and while traveling to you. So please be kind and recycle them together with other plastics, so they don't end up in the wrong place!

We ship your online orders in Wastebased compostable ecommerce mailers made with plants.  They’re just as strong as poly mailers and 100% waterproof. They’re made with corn starch and a blend of two bioplastics, PLA and PBAT, then they're printed with non-toxic, water-based inks. 

They’ll break down into biomass in about 6 months in your backyard compost heap.  

Wastebased mailers come with two adhesive strips so you can return online purchases using the same mailer, cutting down on all the waste that this often generates. 

For more details: https://wastebased.co

Our paper hang tags are FSC certified. The Forest Stewardship Council offers a certification to ensure responsible forest management. 

FSC is an international non-profit organization dedicated to promoting responsible forestry. FSC runs a global forest certification system with two components: Forest management and chain of custody. The system allows customers to identify wood, paper and other forest products produced from well- managed forests and/or recycled materials. 

For more details: https://www.fsc.org/en

We have joined the Climate Compensation Project to offset our CO2 emissions produced manufacturing and transporting Zebra I Can See paper hang tags via tree planting initiatives. 

The aim of this project is to protect forests and fund the planting of trees in Malawi, Africa. This initiative seeks to encourage people in the Malawi region to live of the income from forest cultivation and help them develop sustainable livelihoods, protect the environment and reduce poverty. 

The project is not only environmental but also socio-economic: infrastructure and jobs are being developed, schools and medical centers are being built. 

Good product care extends its lifespan

Did you know that 25% of clothing environmental impact comes from how you care for it?

It is all in your hands. There is so much you can do to make a difference and it is OVERALL EASY:

Wash responsibly. At low temperature - 30C.  Lowering the temperature saves energy and makes your clothes last longer. 

Wash less. Only when it’s really necessary. Help your clothes to live longer and reduce water waste.

Our prints are funky enough to welcome extra spots from playing, eating and other daily experiences. When your kid has spilled on clothing, try spot - cleaning. Keep the water clean by using less detergent and only eco - friendly options.

Air dry your clothes instead of tumble dryer. It helps your clothes remain quality and saves huge amounts of energy.

Repair damages. Prolong the active life of your everyday friend. Do a few stitches or fix damaged areas with a patch.

Share with others. Pass your everyday friend to other kids and share your stories

Spread the love. Donate to charity organizations

Recycle if it’s no longer usable. High-quality cotton can be recycled up to three times. Hand it in to textile collections, such as H&M Garment Collecting.