Sustainability
A NONNEGOTIABLE
Zero-Waste Production
Zero waste isn’t just a philosophy at Aplat—it’s a nonnegotiable ingrained into our daily operations.
Zero-waste design principles have been the foundation for our collections from day one. Since we don’t rely on elastic, metal, or plastic, our products are creatively folded and sewn to achieve optimal functionality. We carefully engineer every pattern to reduce the waste of cotton materials in the manufacturing process.
REDUCING OUR IMPACT
A Circular Design Model
We’re committed to a circular economy model–which means reducing pre-consumer waste in our cut-sew factories and creating zero-waste designed products that are plastic-free, elastic-free, and metal-free. We believe that soft goods, textile in nature, should be designed to be repaired and reused.
For over seven years, we’ve been using 100% GOT-certified organic cotton and locally sourced surplus fabric that otherwise would have ended up in landfills. We operate by small batch to avoid overproduction, keep quality high, ensure zero-waste manufacturing, and engineer products to last.
We use all of our production offcuts to create upcycled products and salvage edges from fabric rolls for gift wrapping, packaging, and shipping. We send anything we can’t use to Pheonix Fibers or donate them to fiber artists nationwide.
SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY
Local Manufacturing
We upcycle surplus denim from local cut-sew factories. We’re committed to supporting local resources, labor, and manufacturing. Our manufacturing facility is just across the street from our headquarters in San Francisco, and we’re incredibly invested in staying close to our manufacturing processes. The partnership we have with our factory is unprecedented–it’s what sets us apart and truly allows us to achieve the careful process of zero waste.
We design with empathy and care deeply about our factory sewers–they are a part of the Aplat family. These talented women–who have been sewing for over 30 years–are the best in the Bay Area. They care deeply about the quality of our products and we collaborate almost daily to improve and evolve our products at every stage of production. Every stitch has high-quality single needle sewing and reinforced industrial stitches.
MADE TO LAST
The Repair and Reuse Philosophy
We intend for our products to be well-loved and well-used for many years with thoughtful care. If anything rips or snags, you can easily repair our products with a needle and thread. No fixing complicated and disposable zippers, elastics, buttons, or clasps. When the time eventually comes for our products to return to the earth, they are 100% biodegradable.
Our bowl covers were our toughest challenge! Most bowl covers use elastic to secure around a bowl, which we refused to accept as the only option. We realized this alternative drawstring design when founder Shujan was tying her son’s sweatpants drawstring! It’s the perfect solution.
Our Partners for Good
The Good Food Awards
The Good Food Awards celebrate food that is authentic and responsibly produced in categories such as beer, cheese, pickles, and more. In past years, Aplat founder, Shujan, was a honored judge of the honey category.
Good Future Design Alliance
As a founding member of the Good Future Design Alliance, we're using our collective voices to influence and develop real-world goals committed to concrete waste reduction in architecture and interior design spaces.
The Edible Schoolyard Project
The mission of the Edible Schoolyard Project is to build and share a national edible education curriculum for pre-kindergarten through high school.
Kitchen Table Advisors
Kitchen Table Advisors envisions a new generation of thriving small-scale, sustainable farms that produce healthy food and form the foundation of regional food systems.