Our Materials | Bullshake Sportswear

Our focus was on using traditional cotton while addressing the environmental and social concerns related to its cultivation. This includes the use of harmful chemicals in agriculture and the working conditions of those in the cotton fields and supply chain. To ensure that our cotton meets organic and ethical standards, we have partnered with GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) which guarantees the organic origin of our cotton and ensures that it complies with traceability management, social and human rights, and environmentally responsible practices. Our entire supply chain, including fabric manufacturing, is certified and meets environmental and ethical standards.

Polyester fabrics are a reliable foundation for both our clothing and product lines. They come in various weights and finishes, offering a broad range of possibilities for creating technical items. Our preference is to use recycled polyester fabrics made from plastic waste. Choosing such fabrics provides two major benefits: it helps to clean up our natural resources, including oceans and other ecosystems, while also promoting waste separation and recycling. In addition, it reduces the amount of fossil fuel-based fibers required for manufacturing synthetic materials.

We only use recycled polyester fabrics that have been certified with the GRS (Global Recycled Standard). This standard guarantees the origin of the waste materials used and ensures compliance with traceability management, social and human rights, and environmentally responsible practices.

We have provided our suppliers with a list of restricted chemical substances. This standard can be related directly to health of the final consumer and environmental preservation, it also aims to protect the life of the workers at factories.

We have taken steps to increase the longevity of our sensitive garments by adding disclaimers and encouraging careful treatment. In 2022, we made a switch to recycled LDPE bags, resulting in the replacement of almost 200 virgin LDPE bags with recycled materials. This change has resulted in a reduction of 5.6 tonnes of virgin plastic in only six months. Our ultimate goal is to switch to more sustainable packaging and reduce the amount of packaging used wherever possible. To achieve this, we have analyzed our poly bag sizes to ensure that they fit our garments optimally, and by reducing three of our poly bag sizes, we were able to save 7306m2 of plastic.

Currently, our dust bags are made of virgin polyurethane and recycled Polyethersulfon, but we aim to offer a dust bag made from 100% recycled materials in the future. We also encourage our customers to reuse our recyclable non-woven bag, as it provides further protection during storage and transportation, ultimately increasing the lifespan of the garment.

Our products are manufactured by a small number of carefully selected suppliers, mainly based in Asia. We prioritise flexibility in supplier localization to expand production possibilities, where they have a strong expertise with technical products and high-quality synthetic fibers.

Regardless of the production country, we prioritize local sourcing for materials whenever possible. We strongly believe that a local sourcing-production supply chain is more favorable as it reduces transportation, lead times, and air pollution. It also allows for small inventories of bulk raw materials to be kept in the factories.

Building a strong connection and relationship with the people who make the manufacturing of our products possible has always been important to us. To provide even stronger support to all our suppliers, we have three team members based in Asia who spend their days on the ground, providing necessary assistance to perfect the production processes.

We prioritize health and safety and have set a Code of Conduct to ensure high standards of working conditions. These requirements include fair wages, working hours, and a ban on child and forced labor. We also have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination of any kind, bribery, and corruption.

When establishing the brand, the founders made a deliberate decision to eliminate overproduction from their business model. Overproduction not only results in the wastage of materials, resources, energy and water but also causes unnecessary pollution and creates an unhealthy inventory. The aim was to exercise better control over the production quantities and minimize the stock levels.

This business model has been implemented for several years now, and in addition to addressing inventory-related issues, it also enables Bullshake to promote more responsible buying practices. By adhering to a monthly drop schedule, the brand places its customers at the forefront of product creation, continually seeking feedback from them to enhance existing styles and develop new ones. This approach ensures that the brand's future products align with the customer's needs and preferences, thereby reducing the risk of unsold inventory.

Bullshake prioritizes diversity and inclusivity to create a platform where ideas and people can thrive. The company values different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that drive creativity and innovation. Bullshake conducts competency-based interviews to minimize unconscious biases and ensure openness to various competencies, knowledge, and skills, allowing personalities and backgrounds to join the Bullshake world.

The company has zero-tolerance policies against discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and victimization of any kind, as well as bribery and corruption. Bullshake conducts social audits and anonymous surveys to monitor these policies. Mandatory training is provided during onboarding for all new employees, as well as continuous training for all employees and tailored leadership training focused on inclusive leadership.

Equal rights and opportunities education is a priority and is integrated within everyday processes. Bullshake's salary criteria and performance reviews are based on the company's DROP values, which include Diversity, Respect, Openness, and Passion. The company aims to ensure these values are not just words on a website, but are actively lived by and evaluated in relation to how well they are practiced.