Materials
Organic cotton
At MELA, sustainable production begins with the careful selection of raw materials. That is why we only use ecologically grown organic cotton - a conscious yes to a renewable natural product and a no to petroleum-based synthetic fibers such as polyester. Cotton is the most traditional and widely used natural fiber in the textile industry, and we only use natural seeds for our organic cotton. Genetically modified plants and toxic pesticides are taboo for us. We say: No more pesticides and chemical fertilizers!
The cultivation of our organic cotton requires less water than conventional methods and relies on natural fertilizers that preserve soil fertility. This preserves the valuable humus content in the soil, reduces erosion and protects the environment. Our Indian organic cotton is also carefully harvested by hand, which further increases the quality and sustainability.
We only use Fairtrade-certified organic cotton for our products. Independent local certification bodies regularly check that these high standards are maintained - for a product that not only looks good, but also does good.
Inspired by Cradle to Cradle
The Cradle to Cradle approach describes a completely new school of thought and approach to resources: It stands for continuous material cycles and a world without waste through materials that serve as nutrients after their use . Inspired by Cradle to Cradle, we are constantly designing and optimizing our products with the aim of using them for as long as possible and then bringing them into closed - biological or technical - cycles. That is why we do not use synthetic and mixed fibers . Our products should not be part of a problem, but quite the opposite: literally leave a positive footprint.
Corozonut Buttons
We use GOTS Corozo buttons, which are made from the seeds of the corozo palm . Corozo is a sustainable alternative to plastic because it is biodegradable and ecologically harmless. The buttons made of Corozo are robust, durable and have a natural grain that gives each piece a unique look.
Our goal is always to use materials and accessories that are 100% natural and plastic-free. Our costly but particularly environmentally worthy successes are iron-on interfacing, labels and sewing threads made from cotton instead of environmentally harmful, petroleum-based polyester or plastic materials.
Natural rubber
We use natural rubber for our shoes, which is not only robust and flexible, but also meets the highest ecological standards. Our natural rubber comes from Sri Lanka , the only country in the world that grows GOLS-certified (Global Organic Latex Standard) organic rubber .
In cooperation with local partners, we support a social-ecological project that further promotes the ecological cultivation of natural rubber. By consciously avoiding petroleum-based raw materials , we help protect the environment from toxic microplastics that could otherwise be created during abrasion.
For us, environmental protection is not just lip service, but an integral part of our production - from the selection of materials to the manufacture of our products. In this way, we create solutions that are both sustainable and healthy.