FAQs
IS MADE FREE A BUSINESS OR A NON-PROFIT?
We are a low profit social enterprise company with a mission to provide life-changing jobs over profits.
HOW DO YOU FIND THE CRAFTERS THAT YOU WORK WITH?
We work with trusted partners in the countries we serve who already work extensively with the poorest of the poor. They are our eyes and ears and can qualify potential crafters for us. They share our vision, values, and commitment to those we serve.
HOW MUCH ARE THE MAKERS PAID?
Our makers are paid at a level that meets or exceeds international fair trade standards and local wage requirements. In most cases 5X more than what they would be paid without this life-changing job.
HOW DO I CARE FOR & PROTECT MY FREEDOM PURCHASE?
Spot clean with water. A fabric or leather water repellent / protector can be applied to canvas, material, or leather to help guard against the elements and staining.
WHAT IS THE COMPANIES COMMITMENT TO PRESERVING AND PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT?
We have a holistic approach to sustainability. integrating ecological, social and economic sustainability. A triple bottom line (TBL) guide to sustainability.
It’s one thing to use sustainable materials but if the maker isn’t cared for, sustainability can have a net negative impact. We are doing all that we can to help end the injustice of slavery and extreme poverty through well paying ethical jobs, while at the same time using eco-friendly, organic and recycled materials where we can. We use 100% organic cotton canvas and the finest eco-friendly, vegetable tanned, biodegradable leather that is a waste byproduct that would otherwise be discarded into a landfill.
In addition, our life-time guarantee supports a limited, curated personal collection of fewer quality items and a reduction of what we discard. Reducing our fashion waste may be the most impactful thing we can do to improve our planet. Second to oil, the clothing and textile industry is the largest polluter in the world. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 84% of unwanted clothes in the United States end up in landfills or are burned. Together, we can change lives while protecting our planet.
WHY DO YOU USE LEATHER?
We use the finest eco-friendly, vegetable tanned, biodegradable leather that is a waste byproduct that would otherwise be discarded into a landfill. This is actually better for the environment than many “vegan or synthetic leathers” which are made from environmentally damaging petrochemicals (oil) and synthetic chemicals. While they can be broken down to a degree, the synthetics used in vegan leathers also don't fully biodegrade. They can also release toxic particles and phthalates, which can affect the health of animals and the environment.
WHAT IS ECO-FRIENDLY LEATHER?
Eco-friendly leather is vegetable tanned leather without the use of chromium, thus making it biodegradable. In addition, all our leather is a recycled byproduct from the meat industry which would otherwise be discarded.
If you have a question that is not addressed, please email us at:
contact@madefree.co