CSR - THEN, NOW AND FOREVER

We are a fashion brand in the business of dressing families. Just like any family, we aren’t perfect. But like all families, we try to do better every day– especially when it comes to sustainability. Where other brands might refer to corporate social responsibilities, we prefer to call ours Family Values… and if you want to get to know us, you’ll have to get to know them too.

Our business consists of a lot of moving parts. From design, to our supply chain, to our distribution centers and offices. All working together to make sure you and your family get the jeans, skirt, shirt, sweater, or blouse that fits just right. Although not all parts of the GARCIA family have been sustainable in the past, we are now working hard, step by step.

A FAMILY CODE OF CONDUCT

In 2013 we decided to only work with suppliers who share our family values. This came to life through a code of conduct that all our suppliers had to sign. Based on the BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) code of conduct.

The Amfori Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) is an initiative of companies committed to improving working conditions in their global supply chain. BSCI offers companies a common code of conduct and a roadmap that applies to all sectors and production countries.

BSCI provides factories with free training and implementation with official NGOs, trade unions, educational institutions and media. The work of Amfori BSCI is based on important international standards for the protection of labor rights, such as guidelines of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the guidelines of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

List of Suppliers

At GARCIA, we believe in transparency throughout our supply chain. That’s why we are excited to announce that we have published our list of suppliers and (their) production locations on Open Supply Hub and on our website. 

By sharing this information, we hope to build even stronger relationships with our suppliers, improve our risk identification and gain support from our stakeholders.

Together, we can support positive change and create a more responsible future for the fashion industry. 

GARCIA commits to update this information every six months, to provide you with the latest information. 

List of suppliers

GREEN ELECTRICITY

At Garcia, we want to be conscious about the energy we consume. The climate is changing because the global temperature is rising. Global warming is unstoppable but will slow down if we cut CO2 emissions globally.

In co-operation with Climate Neutral Group, we calculated and measured our CO2 impact for 2018 and 2019. With Climate Neutral Group we discuss how we can reduce our CO2 emissions.

As of 1-1-2020, we are purchasing green (wind) electricity from Europe for our head office and stores. Through Guarantees of Origin, we can demonstrate the origin of the more sustainably produced energy. The transition from gray (fossil) power to green power is done in co-operation with De Energiespecialist. 

WHAT’S A FAMILY TREE WITHOUT TREES?

In the new circular economy, waste is the new raw material. That's why our shipping bags are made from 80% recycled plastic. We also use DHL GoGreen services and DPD carbon neutral parcel delivery. This entails that the greenhouse gas emissions generated by transportation and logistics are compensated through climate protection projects.

A FAMILY CONSCIOUS ABOUT COTTON

BETTER COTTON

Right now, not all the cotton is as conscious as we would like it to be, which is why we are committed to improving cotton farming practices globally with Better Cotton.

Better Cotton is sourced via a system of Mass Balance and is not physically traceable to end products. See bettercotton.org/who-we-are/our-logo for details. Better Cotton trains farmers to use water efficiently, care for the soil health and natural habitats, reduce use of the most harmful chemicals and implement the principles of decent work.

DUTCH CONVENANT

The Dutch government also plays a major role in making the clothing industry more sustainable, which resulted in the "Sustainable Clothing & Textile Convenant". In October 2019, we as GARCIA signed the convenant.

This Convenant has been drawn up by a broad coalition of trade associations, trade unions, critical organizations, and the national government. Together these parties want to tackle overarching issues such as better working conditions and environmental issues. By joining forces with industry associations and trade unions, we improve working conditions and tackle environmental pollution.

The Covenant offers tools to prevent and combat negative impact by participating in joint activities and projects that we as a business cannot solve on our own.

FAMILY SECRETS

Buying an article of GARCIA clothing means you take the pledge to share our family values. This means you’re privy to some valuable information which helps you fit our family as much as GARCIA fits you:

- Hang clothing instead of throwing them in the dryer. It keeps their colours vibrant and you’ll have a lower energy bill.

- Hanging clothing in the bathroom steams out any creases while you shower.

- Hanging jeans upside down uses gravity to iron out the legs as they dry.

- Longer lasting clothes don’t need to be replaced as often. Zip and button up clothes before each wash so that they don’t damage the other clothes.

- Delicate items should also be washed in a mesh laundry bag.

You can make even more of an impact by drying clothes on a clothes rack instead of putting them in your dryer. Drying a laundry load in a dryer requires a lot of heat and therefore a lot of energy.