April is Earth Month! Environmental sustainability is incredibly important to us here at BEDI. It was the motivation behind starting the brand, and is built into every part of our process.
As Earth Day approaches, we wanted to take the opportunity to share some of the things we do to promote sustainability and care for our earth. And it all begins with the materials we choose.
Why We Start with What Already Exists
BEDI was born out of the desire to do things differently, and to use materials that already exist. The fashion industry produces a huge amount of waste every year. So instead of adding more, we focus on recycling, upcycling, and salvaging materials to make our high-quality, sustainable pieces. So what does that look like?
Our ECONYL® nylon is made from regenerated ocean plastics and industrial waste like old fishing nets and discarded carpets. It’s strong, water-resistant, and helps to keep plastic out of our landfills and waterways.
We use salvaged seatbelts as durable straps in our bags. Cut by hand from old cars in local scrapyards, these sturdy straps are perfect for bags, and require no new materials to produce. Just cut, wash, and sew!
We use upcycled Italian leather salvaged from the furniture and aviation industries to craft our leather bags and wallets. This high-quality leather would have otherwise gone to landfill.
Our sturdy metal hardware is made from recycled metals, and crafted in small batches here in Quebec.
"Deadstock" material is excess material that other companies haven't been able to use. It is typically sent to landfill. A few of our materials, such as the patio furniture twill, waxed canvas and satin lining of our coats, are deadstock materials that we were able to put to use when other companies no longer needed them.
Made in Canada, With Care
We’re proud to be a small Canadian brand. All of our bags and coats are made in Montreal, and our knits and socks are made in Toronto. Keeping production local helps us to reduce our carbon footprint, avoid overproduction, and support talented makers right here at home.
It also gives us the flexibility to produce in small batches — so we’re only making what’s needed, and can easily adjust or improve designs without wasting materials. Plus, Quebec runs on over 99% renewable electricity, which helps us keep our environmental impact even lower.
Built to Last, for Life
Because we work with such high-quality, durable materials, we’re able to offer a lifetime guarantee on all of our coats and bags, ensuring they never end up in landfill.
And if your needs change — maybe your style evolves, or your size shifts — we offer our Second Life Program. You can return your BEDI piece for a credit, and we’ll clean, repair, and resell it at a reduced price. That way, it stays out of the landfill and gets a second chapter with someone else.
Sustainability You Can Trust
We’re proud to be a Certified B Corporation, which means our environmental and social practices have been reviewed by a third party. We’re also highly rated by Good On You, one of the most trusted ethical fashion rating platforms out there.
But beyond the badges, we just really care. Sustainability isn’t a trend for us — it's at the core of everything we do!
