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planet > people > product > profit
planet > people > product > profit
A quick note on our recent move overseas:
When we first started rü, we wanted total oversight over the production process. We wanted to be able to visit our factory and make sure our bags were being made ethically. Naturally this lead us to start producing in Canada—and we lucked into a partnership with a lovely local manufacturer 20 minutes away.
We've grown a lot since then. And recently we made the difficult decision to move production overseas.
During the pandemic, we started running into cost and capacity issues. At the same time, our manufacturer started pivoting in another direction. So we had to move manufacturers, and ultimately decided to work with a factory abroad in Vietnam.
How'd we find our new manufacturing partner?
We pursued many avenues, but finding transparent suppliers is no easy feat. Fortunately, the founder of Veshin Factory (the gold standard for sustainable & ethical manufacturing in China) was able to connect us with a factory with the same values that are paramount for rü.
They take sustainable and ethical manufacturing seriously, and have even opted to undergo rigorous certifications and third party audits to be transparent about their work quality and conditions including ISO 9001, FairWear and Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP).
All of this is to say ethical manufacturing still remains important to rü, even though it's further away.
Scott
co-founder
WRAP
WRAP certification means the facility is dedicated to ethical and responsible business standards. It means workers are treated and compensated fairly, and afforded clean, safe work conditions. Read more about WRAP
FairWear
FearWear ensures partners maintain high labour standards. Including living wages, freedom to collective bargaining, reasonable work hours, and job security. Read more about FairWear
ISO 9001
ISO 9001 compliant firms and facilities adhere to high procedural standards. Ensuring consistent quality products and work environment. Read more about ISO 9001
transparency q&a
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where are rüs and tötes made?
Designed in Canada. Made in Vietnam.
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are factory workers fairly compensated?
Yes, factory employees earn living wages and have the option to earn overtime (1.5x wages).
They also receive medical insurance coverage. Our manufacturer is audited annually by FairWear to ensure employees remain appropriately compensated.
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are working conditions safe and reasonable?
Yes. Our manufacturer complies with all local labor laws and ensures safe working conditions including quality equipment and ventilation.
Forced labor and child labor aren't permitted. Employees are allowed to unionize.
Workplace discrimination is not allowed, and employees have access to third parties to ensure recourse.
A normal work day is 8 hours, with the option to work longer with overtime.
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has rü personally visited each factory and supplier?
Not yet. We are currently relying on the mentor who referred us (who's visited himself), virtual factory tours, and various certifications and audits.
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did rü take additional measures to ensure factory workers were compensated during COVID-19 lockdowns?
As you may or may not know, the pandemic resulted in severe, prolonged lockdowns in many industrial countries including Vietnam. Not only did many brands delay payment to their manufacturers, they failed to pay entirely. Which put factory workers in an even more compromised situation. They're able to do so because factories usually receive most (or all) of their payment after the goods have been delivered.
Instead of waiting for our bags to be delivered, rü advanced payment shortly after lockdowns in Vietnam began—lockdowns which lasted 4 months.
mission
reuse fewer, gooder things
product
made low impact to have a big impact
transportation
trying to tread lightly
farther to go
we aren't perfect, there's always room to grow
our mission is to reuse fewer, gooder things
rü began on a polluted beach covered in takeout trash. Our goal ever since has been to clean up our oceans and landfills by helping others cultivate sustainable lifestyles and rethink throwaway culture.
It seems simple, but little decisions, made by lots of people change the world.
our products are sustainable for ✌️reasons
First, our bags are made with the goal of reducing the amounts of clutter in the world. Our reusable bags create space and reduce waste.
Second, our production is low impact. rüs and tötes are made from 100% recycled, Global Recycle Standard (GRS) certified polyester. We give waste a second life, diverting it from oceans and landfills.
Our suppliers and manufacturer are committed to sustainable production practices, holding ISO 9001, GRS, BLUESIGN, and OEKO-TEX® certifications.
reducing our transportation footprint 🐾
- Lightweight products. Our bags are light, which means less fuel is consumed moving them from place to place.
- We invest in carbon offsets to ensure your order is carbon neutral.
- We don't believe in the 'unboxing experience.' We don't rely on excessive packaging and inserts to make the unboxing experience special. We let our bags do the talking. And use minimal, recyclable/compostable packaging that ensures your order arrives safely—but not flashily.
- We don't support express shipping. Next day, 2-day, and express shipping are wildly unsustainable. So even though this loss of convenience is bad for business (we get lots of requests for faster shipping), its good for the planet—so its a no brainer.
there's always room for improvement
Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. There's always more to be done.
rü does a lot right. But we fall short in more ways than one.
Our products aren't zero waste, and we don't currently have the capability to ensure low impact end of life treatment. That's why our bags are woven to last, and why we discourage purchasing them unless you intend to use them often.
