Our promise to the planet is to produce and wholesale fashion accessories such as belts, jewelry and ornaments using sustainable materials and utilizing production practices that have low or no impact on the environment. We consider the planet and its resources a veritable stakeholder in the production of our products. That is why we have joined CarbonFund.org in our efforts
to reduce and offset our carbon footprint. All of our hand embroidered belts and gourd ornaments are Certified CarbonFree® that ensures that the energy and emissions dispensed in the production and transportation of that product have been accounted for, reduced, and offset with investments in carbon saving projects.
The idea behind investing in carbon saving projects is to protect the environment and give back to the communities where production is realized. Ideally, artisans receive a double benefit for working with us, the initial economic support and community development stimulus through carbon saving projects. By partnering with CarbonFund.org, where able to target specific projects in South America such as fuel switching programs and investments in biomass-fired boilers for steam generation that save hundreds of thousands of metric tonnes of greenhouse gases.
The process of neutralizing our carbon footprint starts with measuring it. For our belts and gourd ornaments, we contracted WSP Environment & Energy, a world-wide leader in sustainable consulting focused on GHG management for a Life Cyle Analysis (LCA) of each product. Their method adheres to internationally-recognized BSI PAS 2050 specifications for the assessment of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions. In short, this study is an audit of the production process including the collection and usage of raw materials, by-products and waste, and transportation to the end user.
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HAND EMBROIDERED BELTS
Each of our Certified CarbonFree® belts goes through a variety of artisan processes that include hand-dying, hand-weaving, and embroidery. In analyzing the ‘cradle-to-grave’ life of each belt in terms of GHG emissions, we take into account the gathering of natural fibers & materials, low/no impact production machinery, transportation to the end user and disposal/recycling of the belt.
Our process starts with the purchase of raw materials 
& Alpaca wools, belt buckles and nameplates, buttonholes and fabric lining. Most materials come from the Andean region of Peru via local transportation and are purchased in open air markets.
WOOL DYING
Once the wool has been purchased, artisans boil water over a wood-burning fire before adding plant-based or chemical dyes. The wool is then boiled until the dye is absorbed and secured with a small amount of acid. The wool is then hung to dry before being rewound on spools.
WEAVING
Artisans string the dyed wool through a simple wooden counterbalance loom where the weaver will shuttle thread back and forth packing the weft with a handheld wooden beater. A weaver will typically create a roll more than 50 meters long in one sitting.
EMBROIDERY
Rolls are then cut down to specific belt sizes and a design is penciled on to guide the embroiderers. Thread colors are chosen according to the design and embroidered by hand. Later the lining is sown in and the belt buckle, nameplate & buttonholes are added.
TRANSPORTATION
Finished belts are then shipped to our main office via ground transportation where they are reviewed for quality control, given tag and consolidated into orders before being sent by air to its destination. The entire process can take from 3-6 weeks.
RESULTS
The Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) revealed a total of 8,694 gCO2e per belt. To put that into perspective the US EPA calculates that the consumption of 1 gallon of gasoline is about 8,900 gCO2e and the use of 12 kilowatt-hours of electricity is about 8,300 gCO2e. (EPA Calculator). Low or not, we consider it a starting point to begin to understand our Carbon Footprint and how to reduce it. For example, it is important to understand that 71% of the emissions of each belt are attributed to biogenic methane from the livestock generated wool.
Understanding the finer points allows us to improve the Carbon Footprint of each product by finding more efficient sources of animal wools, utilizing ow-impact transportation alternatives, and packaging products in innovative biodegradable paper. We are always looking for more ideas about reducing our GHG emissions, so please share your thoughts and comments as we constantly strive to improve.
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HAND CARVED ORNAMENTS
Like our belts, each of our gourd ornaments is Certified CarbonFree®. To produce each ornament by hand, artisans will draw, burn, carve, paint and shine depending on the design. Though simple in nature, these workshop processes and transportation still result in GHG emissions that need to be analyzed and accounted for.
The gourd process begins in Northern Peru with the purchase of ‘bottle gourds’ that have been sun-dried until they are hard as wood. They are moved to artisans workshops via local ground transportation where they are sorted by shape & size.
BURNING
Depending on designs requiring darkened areas, a burning technique is used with a hand-held torch. Different levels of darkness could require multiple applications of heat & flame. Sometimes artisans also apply a weak acid that when heated, turns the gourd to an orange color.
CARVING
Once areas are darkened, the artisan will carve into the gourd, etching out stars, moons, snowflakes and the faces of Santa Claus. Carving gourds dates back more than 4,000 years in Peru and has been used ever since to communicate stories, rituals, and customs.
POLISHING
Finally, gourds that have been burned, carved and painted are subject to a thin coat of wax that is then heated over a light flame and polished with a dry cloth. This seals the paint and burned areas to resist moisture and gives the finished product a subtle shine.
TRANSPORTATION
Finished gourds are then consolidated into their order in our main office. They are reviewed for quality control placed in packaging and sent to buyers around the world. Once raw materials are procured, a single gourd could pass through the entire process in about 12 hours.
RESULTS
The Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) for gourds resulted in a calculation of 495 gCO2e per ornament. According to WSP Environment & Energy, 1 DVD movie with packaging yields roughly 679 gCO2e and 1 package of 4-AAA batteries emits about 500 gCO2e in production. Our calculations are based on shipments from origin to North America. Shipments to Europe and Asia were also calculated and will be applied as needed. Again, we consider this a great point to understanding this product’s Carbon Footprint and how to reduce it. We see that the majority of GHG emissions are attributed to transportation. For example, current shipments are made via air transport and in the future could be reduced by utilizing large container ocean going vessels.
We take our Carbon Footprint very seriously and believe that with a little innovation and work, we can continue to improve their impact on the environment. For a look at our official LCA Report, please download it here: Blossom Inspirations Product LCA
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