Our vision is to inspire through originality, connect through experience and adapt towards a sustainable future.

At Tera Kaia we make sustainability a part of our culture from our approach to design to the way we source our materials and create our garments. The path to sustainability is an ongoing process full of compromises and new resources. Below is a brief synopsis of where we started, and how we continue to adapt towards a sustainable future.

2017-2018 [ Where we started ]

2019-2022 [ What we've improved ]

2023 [ What we're working on ]

Garment Repair

Where we started:

• Collected all basewear that was damaged or worn beyond re-sell. We called it the "No Sale" bin. We weren't sure how to repurpose it.

• Repurposed any damaged items into a gear sale.

What we've accomplished:

→ Introduced the Basewear Repair Program offering a repair service for garments to live a longer lifespan. Yay! We repaired over 26 garments in the first year, and continue to adjust the program to be more sustainable in the long term.

→  Created the "How to Repair your Basewear" guides. We will send you supplies to repair your Basewear!

 

 

What we're working on:

• Empowering customers with sustainability knowledge and repair workshops.

• Repairing old No Sale garments for raffles that go towards a good cause.

 

Diversity & Inclusion

Where we started:

• Encouraging women to be proud of who they are. Representing uniqueness, individuality and encouraging self expression.

• Signed the Diversify Outdoors CEO Pledge to improve diversity and inclusivity in our brand.

 What we've accomplished:

→ Basewear at any age! We're integrating photos of all ages into our marketing.

→ Basewear for all gender expressions! We're creating welcoming spaces for LGBTQIA2S+ in our social presence.

→ We introduced inclusive numerical sizing and an expanded size range from 0 – 12. Sizes 8-12 will be stocked next month!

What we're working on:

• Production going forward will include sizes 0-12

• Creating new designs to support larger cup sizes, and various body needs.

• Expanding our size range as demand requires: SZ 14 Shorts are currently in development.

Shipping Materials

Where we started:

• 2018 - 88% recycled post-consumer shipping materials.

• 2020 - 100% recycled post-consumer shipping materials.

• Compostable shipping labels with thermal ink-less printing.

What we've accomplished:

→ 100% COMPOSTABLE shipping materials. Yay! We finally got rid of the recycled plastic poly bags. Everything from our shippers, polybags, and even the shipping labels are now fully compostable. 

→ Hangtags are printed on FSC certified paper and twine is natural hemp.

What we're working on:

• Streamlining our online experience to minimize exchanges (and therefor less shipping back and forth).

• Designing sustainable cardboard hangars.

Sustainable Design 

Where we started:

• Designed garments to have a high value, strong durability, and long life cycle.

• We identify potential garment issues early through tons of feedback, fit tests, and wear tests. 

What we've accomplished:

→ We identified that the most common cause of basewear failure is stretched straps. So, we updated our design to include reinforced straps for a longer lifespan.

What we're working on:

While designing new products we continue to rigorously test them to identify any design improvements that can be made to extend their lifespan.

Recycling Textile Waste

Where we started:

• Collected all scrap fabric from in-house prototype and construction for re-use.

• Attempting to save scrap fabric from cutting room floor of manufacturing facilities (sorting this was not easy!)

What we've accomplished:

 

→  This one's tough! We're still working on it.

What we're working on:

• Improving production techniques to reduce fabric waste from cutting, or re-use deadstock fabric scraps

• Creating DIY craft kits to re-use existing scrap fabric.

• Working with artists to repurpose scraps into items to be raffled for a good cause.

• Designing small accessories to repurpose larger fabric scraps. 

Sourcing Sustainable Fabrics

Where we started:

• Fabrics consisting of Nylon / Spandex blend: plastic based fabrics.

• Researching fabric that uses recycled nylon or polyester to replace virgin nylon.

What we've accomplished:

→ All production will be switched to 100% Post Consumer recycled fibers as of Aug. 24th, 2023 (yay!). This was a big initiative, because finding fabric that performed as well as our current fabric was not easy. Plus, we had to switch to all black - and we know you love the colors. However, sustainability is forever our priority!

What we're working on:

• Working to source more sustainable trims like elastic, mesh, etc.

• Integrating more natural textiles (i.e. organic cotton, or merino) for future product lines.

Manufacturing Ethics & Sustainability

Where we started:

• Local manufacturing in various locations. We had to drive all over the place to get each step of construction completed.

• Local manufacturing in one location at a woman minority owned factory.

• Plastic free shipping.

What we've accomplished:

→ We've sourced a wonderful factory that meets our requirements for labor and sustainability practices. Your Basewear is now ethically made in Colombia. We visited both our textile factory and cut & sew facility and were blown away by their initiatives to:

→ Clean all water used in textile dying processes so that it can be released back into the environment with no chemicals or toxins.

→ Focus on creating progressive and sustainable textiles

→ Create women centered programs for the laborers who cut and sew our garments including benefits, learning opportunities, and more.

What we're working on:

• Providing additional benefits for workers.

• Working to trace our supply chain further beyond textile and manufacturing facilities.

Sustainability Inside TK

Where we started:

Sustainability in the office. We re-use shipping materials and minimize waste as much as possible.

What we've accomplished:

→ Sustainability is part of the TK ethos and culture. Our design and daily efforts are always focused on sustainability.

→ Achieved more energy efficient heating for our workspace.

What we're working on:

• Researching how to better measure our impact and improve.


Want to learn a bit more about what sustainability means at Tera Kaia? We define sustainability in the following ways, and constantly seek to improve in each category.

Timeless Design

Timeless design is the concept that garments are designed to withstand the passing seasons and trends. By creating garments that don’t go out of style we are reducing waste, and teaching consumers to purchase less frequently. Our garments are designed to solve a problem, function in a variety of use cases, and fit the wearer’s body type perfectly. We say that if the wearer is the art, the basewear is the frame.

*We produce only what we know will sell to minimize waste, so, if your favorite color is out of stock, just reach out to us! We’ll make sure you get one, even if it takes a bit more time.

Sustainable Lifecycle

Everything from the origin of materials, to how the item is disposed of is the considered part of a garment’s lifecycle. To create a sustainable lifecycle we take every possible measure to extend the lifespan of the garment and create a plan for once it is disposed of. With our guarantee, we make sure every TOURA is taken care of through the full extent of its lifespan.

Ethical Supply Chain

It’s important to know exactly what went into the item you are purchasing, and where it came from. We are going the extra mile to ensure all production partners are held accountable to ethics and sustainability standards. 

Get involved! We are always open to suggestions and new ideas to improve our sustainability. Reach out to us at any time to let us know what you think.