Undies for Social Change?
Posted by NEED Staff on January 7th 2010 in Corporate Giving, Organizations
This article was submitted by Toni Oberto.
What you’re not getting out of men dressed in fruit costumes singing about underwear, you will get out of PACT. PACT http://www.wearpact.com/ manufactures men and women’s underwear that is fully sustainable from production to delivery. The product starts at an organic cotton factory in Turkey. It’s then adorned in vibrant and bold designs with inks and dyes that meet or exceed GOTS and EKO standards. Before long, it’s delivered in a reusable fabric bag. And with 10 percent of all proceeds going to notable non-profit partners, it’s a smart choice for holiday presents.
What started as an idea light bulb in the minds of then Berkeley classmates, Jason Kibbey and Jeff Denby, has become a social movement and collaboration of designers, business partners, organic cotton farmers and nonprofit organizations. “We’re committed to seeing business as a part of positive social and environmental change. This business is an extension of our personal values,” says co-founder Kibbey. His and Denby’s socially responsible underwear concept became a reality when it caught the eye of designer Yves Sebhar during a product development course at Berkley. “Yves said if you can raise the money, I’d love to design for your product,” Kibbey says.
After seeing the first design in 2008, Kibbey knew it was a go. Sebhar has now designed four unique and fun lines for PACT and its participating organizations. Each print is tied to a specific cause: 826 National, Oceana, Forest Ethics and Global Green USA.
826 National assists and tutors students ages six to 18 in writing skills. Headquartered in San Francisco, 826 National now has centers in seven US cities. Founded by author Dave Eggers, the centers provide drop-in writing assistance for youth, free of charge, to encourage strong writing skills and future success.
Oceana is the world’s largest organization devoted to ocean conservation. In an effort to restore and protect the nearly 70 percent of our world covered by oceans, Oceana integrates marine scientists, lawyers, advocates and economists to campaign for policy change, reduce pollution and protect ocean life.
Forest Ethics commits its time and energy to forest and wildlife conservation, primarily in North America. Forest Ethics has helped protect more than 65 million acres of endangered forests. As an early believer in PACT, Forest Ethics signed up early to support Denby and Kibbey in any way possible.
Global Green USA is an international organization geared toward a sustainable future. Global Green is the American arm of Green Cross International, which President Mikhail S. Gorbachev created to foster a global value shift toward a sustainable and secure future, by reconnecting humanity with the environment.
Now, after thousands of dollars in donations, a carefully sculpted supply chain, and one incredible pair of undies, Denby and Kibbey have created a well-fitting, beautiful product that helps change the world one behind at a time.
“The most important step [as consumers] is trying to understand where the product is coming from. If you can’t find out where products came from or how they were made, you should really consider buying elsewhere,” Kibbey says of sustainable consumerism. “We value transparency. Our factory name is on the product itself. PACT is made in the least impactful way possible.”
With such high quality doing so much good, it’s hard to not try PACT underwear. Customers can choose from a variety of colors, patterns and styles. Or pick by cause. Whatever your method, PACT underwear wants you to rethink the way we purchase the things we need.
NEED readers can enjoy 25 percent off a purchase of PACT underwear by entering the coupon code NEED25.
PACT 826 National Oceana Forest EthicsGreen Global USA Green Cross International
