Brand Repositioning - Sustainable Products - BASSO
Since 2018, BASSO has been working on the development of all its products based on the pillars of Sustainability in accordance with the best global practices, in constant evolution. Get to Know the new BRAND here!
As it is a new subject for the general public, but already very developed in the academic and specialized area, we will try to summarize the principles that guide this concept, being our main source: https://www.environmentalscience.org/sustainability .
But after all, what does sustainability mean?
It is the study of how natural systems work, remain diverse and produce everything necessary for ecology to remain in balance. It also recognizes that human civilization requires resources to sustain our modern way of life. Sustainability takes into account how we can live in harmony with the natural world around us, protecting it from damage and destruction.
The three pillars of sustainability
In 2005, the World Summit on Social Development identified three core areas that contribute to the philosophy and social science of sustainable development..
- Economic Development: for the sake of the environment, getting what we consume under control is the paramount issue. Economic development is about giving people what they want without compromising quality of life, especially in the developing world, and reducing the financial burden and “red tape” of doing the right thing.
- Social Development: There are many facets to this pillar. Most importantly is awareness of and legislation protection of the health of people from pollution and other harmful activities of business and other organisations. It is also about maintaining access to basic resources without compromising the quality of life. The final element is education - encouraging people to participate in environmental sustainability and teaching them about the effects of environmental protection as well as warning of the dangers if we cannot achieve our goals.
- Environmental Protection: We all know what we need to do to protect the environment, whether that is recycling, reducing our power consumption by switching electronic devices off rather than using standby, by walking short journeys instead of taking the bus. Businesses are regulated to prevent pollution and to keep their own carbon emissions low. There are incentives to installing renewable power sources in our homes and businesses. Environmental protection is the third pillar and to many, the primary concern of the future of humanity. It defines how we should study and protect ecosystems, air quality, integrity and sustainability of our resources and focusing on the elements that place stress on the environment. It also concerns how technology will drive our greener future; the EPA recognized that developing technology and biotechnology is key to this sustainability, and protecting the environment of the future from potential damage that technological advances could potentially bring.
What are the Primary Goals of Sustainability?
The sustainable development professional network thinks, acts and works globally. In 2012, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development met to discuss and develop a set of goals to work towards; they grew out of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) that claimed success in reducing global poverty while acknowledging there was still much more to do. The SDG eventually came up with a list of 17 items (8) which included amongst other things:
- The end of poverty and hunger
- Better standards of education and healthcare - particularly as it pertains to water quality and better sanitation
- To achieve gender equality
- Sustainable economic growth while promoting jobs and stronger economies
- All of the above and more while tackling the effects of climate change, pollution and other environmental factors that can harm and do harm people's health, livelihoods and lives.
- Sustainability to include health of the land, air and sea
Finally, it acknowledged the concept of nature having certain rights - that people have stewardship of the world and the importance of putting people at the forefront of solving the above global issues (9) through management of the environment and of consumption (for example, reducing packaging and discouraging food waste as well as promoting the use of recyclable materials).
(Extracted from: https://www.environmentalscience.org/sustainability )
In this sense, BASSO HAS PROGRESSIVELY BEEN INCORPORATING THE THREE PILLARS OF SUSTAINABILITY in its management system, understanding that it is a journey that has no end and is in constant development.
This directly translates into REALISTIC ATTITUDES THAT WE STARTED IN 2018, and have already shown measurable results:
- ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: currently the entire production chain of our products is developed externally, via a network of local suppliers. Composed entirely of small certified companies and local labor, promoting economic and social development in their communities, having as the main principle, the protection of the environment and sustainable development. All raw materials are locally sourced and manufactured and follow internationally environmentally friendly production standards, aiming for the state of the art in the use of natural resources, water, energy, and the increasing INCORPORATION OF RENEWABLE AND RECYCLABLE RAW MATERIALS.
- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: Development of suppliers of raw materials that are increasingly sustainable and recyclable. In the past two years, WE HAVE REDUCED THE QUANTITY OF PRODUCTS DEVELOPED WITH BOVINE LEATHER TO JUST 8%, REPLACING THEM WITH RECYCLABLE MATERIALS SUCH AS; GREEN COTTON, VEGAN PREMIUM AND SUSTAINABLE SYNTHETICS AND NEW MATERIALS FROM THE RECYCLING OF PET BOTTLES.
As a result of this repositioning, the brand is now represented by the new registered logo "Basso", without any reference to raw materials of animal origin. The two orange "S’s" in the brand represent the pillars of Sustainability: S (Social / Economic) and S (Sustainable - environmental protection).
According to annual estimates of greenhouse gas emissions from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of Brazil, livestock accounts for 14.5% of total emissions (Source: Embrapa.com.br). It is well known that greenhouse gases have a direct impact on climate change. REDUCING THE USE OF LEATHER is a very important step on the path to REDUCING THE CARBON FOOTPRINT IN OUR PRODUCTS.
In 2019, we released the world's FIRST ECO-FRIENDLY STRAP CALLED ECOSTRAP®, 100% manufactured from a non-animal laminated synthetic material, Vegan Premium; 100% phthalate free, 100% Hydrolysis free and 100% recyclable. This new and exclusive patented material is far more cost effective and ecologically friendly than leather.
We also wish to draw attention to our straps produced from 100% RECYCLABLE SYNTHETICS, which can be ground down at the end of their life cycle and transformed into another synthetic laminate, used as mattress filling or wall bricks. There are several studies for new uses, always aiming at recycling and with the least possible impact on the environment. THIS IS OUR OBJECTIVE!
Our goal and commitment is to endeavor to achieve 100% proven recyclable products with the least possible impact on the environment, as well as to REDUCE, AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, THE CARBON FOOTPRINT LEFT BY EACH PRODUCT, IN RELATION TO IT’S ENTIRE PRODUCTION CHAIN, from the raw material to the final reprocess as a new raw material from recycling.
IT’S A LONG-TERM ENDEAVOUR, BUT WORTH IT!
What world do we want to leave for our children? WE MUST CONSIDER THE FUTURE THEN, IN MAKING OUR DECISIONS ABOUT THE PRESENT!