Our Commitments to Uphold This Pledge:

1. Use of Animal Cruelty-Free Components:
This one is obvious, being the brand of @dean.schneider 🦁 animal welfare is at the core of our mission.Caring about our planet also means caring about all the other species we share it with! All our products are, and will always be VEGAN!

2. Donations to Animal Protection Initiatives:
A percentage of the price (not profit) from every Values Culture product sold will be dedicated to The Dean Schneider Foundation. This government-supervised non-profit organization spearheads global projects for the protection of animals, especially wild animals. Importantly, 100% of the donations directly benefit the animals at Hakuna Mipaka Oasis, with no deductions for marketing, flights, or content production costs.

Our initial donations will support the LIVE WILD PROJECT, a cause close to our hearts. The funds will contribute to renewing the parameter fence around the property and constructing a second fence, aligning with Lion-Specs mandated by Nature Conservation. These efforts enable lions to live freely and wild at Hakuna Mipaka Oasis. The donations cover all associated costs, including fencing materials for over 60 hectares, labor workers, machine rentals, administrative fees, permits, and more!

**Our Commitments in Consistency with Our Values:**

1. Strict Due Diligence Process for Ethical Sourcing:
We adhere to a stringent Due Diligence Process to ensure that our products are ethically sourced. The selection of our suppliers aligns seamlessly with our commitment to VALUES. Every supplier undergoes thorough scrutiny through Values Culture's own Due Diligence Process, ensuring alignment with our values.

2. Beyond the Economical:
Our pursuit is not for the most economical options, but for the RIGHT and FAIR choices in every situation. Our primary goal is to restore BALANCE in the entire supply chain, extending from factory workers to our brand's employees.

3. Respecting Every Participant:
As an ethical brand, we uphold the values of respect for each person involved in the creation of our brand and its products.

4. Holistic Approach to Social Responsibility:
Our commitment extends to various aspects of social responsibility, including but not limited to Workers’ Protection, Workers’ Rights of Freedom of Association, Working Environment and Conditions, Discrimination, Inclusion, Diversity, Fair Remuneration, Workers’ Wellbeing, Health and Safety, Child Labour, Protection of Young Workers, Precarious Employment, Bonded Labour, and Ethical Business Behavior.

5. Loyalty to Partners:

Loyalty stands as a core value guiding our decision-making process. Drawing on the collective experience of the Values-Culture team, we've established a reliable network of suppliers with whom we share enduring relationships.

6. Consistency with Values:
Our commitment to loyalty aligns seamlessly with our broader set of values, ensuring that our partners reflect and embrace our philosophy. We consciously choose to collaborate with either Small Family-Owned Companies or Larger Firms holding Official Certifications, specifically the ISO 45001 Certificate pertaining to Employee Wellbeing and Safety.

Sustainability is an ongoing journey, and while no business can claim perfection, we, at Values Culture, are dedicated to a continuous sustainability process.

Reducing Our Carbon Footprint:
- Being a small team benefits our sustainability efforts. With controlled resources, minimal inventory, and a streamlined supply chain, we strive to minimize our carbon footprint.
- Our absence of retail stores reduces energy consumption, and we've minimized intermediaries in our supply chain. Products are shipped from different hubs based on location, optimizing efficiency.
- For longer-distance deliveries, we use consolidated shipping methods to significantly reduce carbon emissions, balancing slightly increased delivery times (up to 16 days) with a lower environmental impact.
- Return hubs closer to customers further decrease transportation needs.
- While recognizing there's more to be done, our aim is to become completely carbon-neutral in the future.

Using Organic or Recycled Fabrics:
- Our first drop exclusively features products made from certified organic cotton.
- We commit to using only certified organic cotton and avoiding newly created plastics, opting for recycled polyesters to combat plastic waste.

Selecting Sustainable Suppliers:
- Our suppliers are GOTS certified (Global Organic Textile Standard), ensuring environmentally and socially responsible practices.
- For products made in China, we go beyond with additional certifications, including Oeko-Tex, Organic Content Standard, Global Recycled Standard, Better Cotton Initiative Membership, and ISO 14001.

Eliminating Newly Created Plastics:
- We strictly avoid using newly created plastic components in our products, packaging, and shipping materials.
- Our products are packaged in biodegradable corn starch wraps and shipped in FSC-certified recycled carton boxes.

Ensuring Quality and Durability:
- We prioritize premium-quality fabrics and components, subjecting our products to strict quality control procedures to ensure longevity.
- Our commitment stands against the fast fashion trend, aiming to provide products meant to last.

Minimizing Waste:
- Limited edition capsule collections help us avoid unnecessary quantities, reducing waste associated with our brand.