What is Sande?

Sand signifies a return to nature, to basics, to simplicity; a return back to the earth. It serves as a reminder to us all that everything comes from nothing and eventually returns to nothing.

Sand flows; it is a shapeshifter! With this in mind, we encourage our customers to live more consciously and to be aware of the impact we all have on our world in the short time we are here on this earth. 

So, where does S A N D E fit into all this? And where did the "E" at the end of the word sand come from? 

Let's break down the name S A N D E 

S​ustainable: Sustainability stands at the very heart of our mission. We aim to be a zero-waste company and operate on a minimal waste strategy. We do not use any plastics or harmful or toxic substances in our packaging. Our packaging is compostable and the ink we use is vegetable-based and entirely eco-friendly. We recycle everything we can and we kindly ask our partners to keep their packaging at utmost minimum (without compromising on product integrity) to ensure packaging waste is kept at bay. We are also in the process of developing a carbon offset program to combat the negative impacts on the environment of our logistics. Many of the items you can expect to find on our store are recycled, upcycled, sustainable, and circular. Everything from our environmental policy to our advocacy takes into account our mission of sustainability.

A​rtisanal: At Sande, we pay very close attention and place a high emphasis on quality. That is why we choose to support the work of artisanal designers and brands. With emphasis on traditional techniques and handmade craftsmanship, we want to ensure we list products that are made to last. Slow fashion is the antithesis of fast fashion, and at Sande, we specifically support ethical and cruelty-free artisanship. We care deeply about cultivating in our consumers an appreciation for labour and respect for the history and community of the craft. This recognition of the artisan allows us to communicate to the consumer that every item has roots; cultivated with another human being’s time, energy, and passion and is to be treated with that knowledge in mind throughout its entire lifecycle - from sale, consumption, to eventual responsible disposal at the end of its life cycle.

N​atural: With a wider range than ever before of environmentally-friendly options to choose from, we believe that retail purchases never have to be harmful to the environment nor to the consumer. At Sande, we make sure that the items we list are crafted using the most environmentally-friendly materials and practices available on the market. We are always on the lookout for brands that are pushing boundaries and using new methods and more eco-friendly technology in their production. We want to eliminate as much micro and macro pollution from the environment and that begins first and foremost with ensuring that what is being produced is safe to go back into our ecosystem.

D​ecent: At Sande, we believe in equal opportunities for all and we make sure that every partner brand we work with takes similar policies and stances in their own supply chain, working to provide decent working conditions and pay for labourers. We are not supportive in any way of brands that take advantage of or abuse labourers. As our team grows, we aim to provide a living wage (as opposed to a minimum wage) for all our workers and ensure that working standards, conditions, and hours are always reimbursed, safe, and fair.

Ethical: We work tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of our supply chain meets strict ethical standards. We do not list from brands that sell any products that are deemed unethical in any way - directly or indirectly - that denotes to cruelty of any kind; be it in their production line, or through a parent company, or through suppliers or otherwise. We adhere to a strict rule of standards and we take our promise of providing only ethical products and brands to our customers very seriously. We place a high emphasis on transparency and traceability and whenever we can, we give back and empower the communities and people we work with. We believe that by operating in this way we are setting the standard for other companies to do so as well. Thus, by being true to our values and establishing a system where everyone wins, we believe we are paving the way for others to see that operating a purpose-driven business is not only possible but ​the better alternative.