Since day one, considered the environment and sustainability core priorities at SAYE. All decisions made, big or small, have consistently aimed to strive towards greater change by pushing for new solutions, investing in new socio-environmentally conscious projects, and most importantly, setting out to reduce impact until it is truly neutral.
At SAYE, conscious journey is guided by the following pillars:
1. Using innovative materials with recycled and biobased content.
2. Reducing our environmental footprint as much as possible.
3. Compensating for any impact that we haven’t been able to reduce.
4. Transparency is not an option, but a must.
MANIFESTO
At SAYE, they have a clear purpose: to promote a conscious lifestyle by offering high quality vegan sneakers that are kind to the planet and its people. In aim to forge the path toward a brighter future, all employees make every decision considering its environmental impact first. Born in Barcelona, SAYE is dedicated to providing high-quality, sustainable footwear & apparel. Mission is to promote a more conscious lifestyle and address the environmental challenges we face. They believe that it's essential to acknowledge the impact they have on the planet, so they offer an alternative to the traditional footwear industry. That is why SAYE is committed to taking steps toward a better future. Walking the Talk means living intentionally and practicing what one preaches in every step. They celebrate the beauty of routines and recognize that true growth happens in those moments when no one is watching. Just like brand name suggests, is when thtey Say Yes to Change. It serves as a reminder that SAYE is here to support and accompany you along the way. It's not about accomplishing great things, but about finding greatness in the little things done with intent. While crafting vegan fashion presents its challenges, we firmly believe it's the right path to follow.
Sustainability
For Saye, vegan products must also have an environmental commitment and cannot be made of plastic. That is why they are constantly looking for new materials and are currently using innovative, bio-based, recycled, and organic materials.
Innovation
They aim to use new plant-based materials and collaborate with suppliers to develop products with a lower environmental impact.
Impact
Encourage a change of mentality towards more responsible consumption while compensating for the impact they can’t avoid, by planting +325K trees.
Transparency
Create a business based on integrity and nurturing strong, lasting connections that back their up in everything they do.
When Marta asked Lizzie and Damian to join Wado back in BCN on February 2017, they didn't think twice. At the time, it was just a newborn idea about an online sneaker brand that would plant trees for every sale and hopefully raise enough funds on Kickstarter to cover some of the early production costs. Since that time, the three have been fully engaged in the project dealing with suppliers, fixing and improving prototypes, preparing for the Kickstarter campaign, and, ultimately, growing the brand quickly.
The Kickstarter campaign was a great success and SAYE was finally launched in March 2018 under another name, Wado. The first 7,000 pairs of sneakers were produced and became the most-funded Spanish fashion project ever on Kickstarter. A month later, in April 2018, they moved the project to Indiegogo and used the platform as an online sales channel for about 20 months. That period allowed them to expand the project and turn it into a real company.
Transparency in Supply Chain
Every direct and indirect act associated with the fashion industry harms the planet. The footwear industry alone represents approximately one-fifth of the impact and over 1.4% of global climate impact. For that reason, they must take responsibility for reducing this impact to a minimum. In 2022, they decided to partner up with BCome, a platform for global sustainability management, to meticulously map out supply chain, and gain insight and clarity on our impact.
Materials
Corn Napa: Crafted from 68% mass content of bio-based material, corn napa has opened up a new way of design, with infinite options of colours and textures that are pleasant to touch, and overall high-quality performance.
Bamboo Yarn: Bamboo is naturally antibacterial, and water-efficient. When pruned, new shoots grow quickly, making it one of the fastest-growing plant species, making it an incredibly sustainable resource. Bamboo yarn is one of the most used materials across SAYE.
Organic Cotton: Organic cotton grows naturally and only uses natural fertilisers during its cultivation, thereby respecting the necessary growth cycles to avoid the depletion of soil nutrients.
Apple Napa: Crafted with the pulp of discarded apples, this pulp is then turned into a powder and transformed into 100% organic industrial waste. An ecological alternative material with exceptional quality and softness.
Cactus Napa: Perhaps the most innovative plant-based alternative to traditional leather, cactus napa performs incredibly well under the most rigorous quality and environmental standards and avoids using toxic chemicals.
Recycled and Synthetic Rubber: The soles of our sneakers are composed of up to 70% recycled rubber from production waste that does not meet high-quality standards. They offer maximum performance, comfort, and durability.
Recycled PET Yarn: Most recycled PET material is extracted from post-consumer plastic water bottles, thereby giving a second life to plastic bottles, which would otherwise end up in the sea or as landfills.
Recycled P.U.: Recycled P.U. is crafted from the excess waste of mattress factories and used by our supplier to make the insoles of some of our collections.
Seaqual Yarn: Seaqual® is an initiative that collaborates with international fishing communities to transform post-consumer plastic and upcycled marine plastic into high-quality yarn.
Responsible Packaging:
They are consistently evaluating and improving packaging. They’re fully aware that as an online brand, delivering products can generate a considerable amount of waste, team works hard to find methods that are constantly finding ethical, operational solutions.
Whilst these changes can be minimal and invisible to the consumer, with time, they have the opportunity to make big changes.
Ethical Manufacturing
From the beginning, they’ve selected conscious collaborators, suppliers, and manufacturers that care for the planet and guarantee a safe and respectful environment for their employees. In addition, all associates are regularly audited to make sure they adhere to Code of Conduct.
We are curious and can't wait to introduce you to the brand.
Buy in store or HERE.