Abae Sustainability Practices

Sustainability is our foundation—not an afterthought.

We don’t rely on vague goals or distant intentions. Every garment is created with purpose, transparency, and the highest regard for the Earth and all its inhabitants.

While every new garment has an impact, our core strategy is Fashion for Life—garments that last, repair, and biodegrade. Beyond that, our sustainability principles influence every step of our product journey.

Environmental Impact

Materials

We use only 100% GOTS certified organic cotton, primarily sourced from the xxx farm near our partner factory in Tirupur, India. This ensures minimal transport emissions and a close working relationship with local farmers.

Climate Change

Abae’s emissions reduction strategy includes:

  • 100% natural fabrics, trims, and packaging
  • Localised sourcing for trims, labels, and packaging
  • Close collaboration with factories to reduce energy and logistics emissions
  • Inspiration sourced locally to avoid unnecessary travel
  • 100% sea freight—never air

Chemicals

Our exclusive use of GOTS organic cotton and natural dyes ensures non-toxic garments. Our factory’s wastewater system prevents any harmful chemicals from entering ecosystems. We’re exploring third-party certifications (e.g., ZDHC, Bluesign, Made in Green) for enhanced transparency.

Waste

Abae combats fashion waste by:

  • Offering adaptable, one-size fits all garments
  • Running small-batch production with 100% full-price sell-through
  • Using cutting-efficient fabric bases across multiple designs
  • Prioritizing repairs and reuse before disposal
  • Ensuring all products are fully biodegradable at end-of-life

Water

We minimize water use through natural dyeing, smart dyeing methods (e.g., cold batch), and factory rainwater harvesting. Our cotton farms also use water-efficient agricultural techniques.

Microplastics

Synthetic fabrics, even recycled ones, shed microplastics that harm ecosystems and human health. Abae’s approach:

  • 100% natural fabrics, dyes, and trims
  • No synthetic fibres used, even in recycled form
  • No plastic in packaging—just cornstarch and recycled paper
  • Buttons made from recycled paper

Labour Conditions

Abae strictly follows the ILO’s principles, including freedom of association, child labour elimination, anti-discrimination, and safe workplaces.

Our factory pays +50% above the living wage (per the Global Living Wage Coalition) and supports worker well-being through our Meducate program for health and education. We do not use unpaid interns and guarantee fair treatment at every level.

Factory certifications include Sedex and the ETI Base Code. Our Indian production manager, Asim, regularly visits to ensure continuous improvement and artisan feedback.

Animal Welfare

Abae is 100% vegan. We use no animal-derived materials, glues, or dyes. Our clean water and dye policies ensure no harm to ecosystems or species. Microplastic-free designs further protect wildlife from synthetic waste.

Accessibility

Sustainability should be inclusive. Our “Pay What You Can” program ensures Abae clothing is accessible, helping people invest in pieces with low environmental impact and long-term value. We aim to make the best clothing the most accessible.

If you have questions about any of our practices, contact us at hello@abaeclothing.com.

Special thanks to Good On You and UKFT for their guidance in shaping our Code of Conduct.