Let's protect each other—and our planet, too.
Scientists have shown that the climate crisis is leading to increased occurrences of infectious disease, more extreme weather events (such as wildfires and volcanic activity), and poorer air quality levels in cities around the world.
These human-caused climate events require us all to adapt as we change old habits, and find solutions for a safe and sustainable future.
We need face masks more than ever before.
So we set out to make the world's best face mask to help protect the public as we face these challenges. And we're committed to do it in a way that's sustainable, because we can't afford not to.
Every business needs to be held accountable for their carbon footprint, and consumers need better, more sustainable options. We're all in this together.
Keep reading to learn more about how we're doing it.
Premium fiber made from recycled bottles
Too often, plastic bottles end up in our landfills and oceans, where they emit methane into the atmosphere and cause harm to marine wildlife.
That's why we make our masks using sustainable fiber, engineered from recycled plastic water bottles.
Our recycled fiber is third-party certified for recycled content claims, and meets Oeko-Tex Standard 100, ensuring our fiber is free of harmful levels of more than 100 substances.
By using recycled plastics, we're offsetting new petroleum, emitting fewer greenhouse gases, and conserving water and energy in the process.
Here's how the magic happens:
First, recycled bottles are collected, cleaned, and chopped up.
Next, they're ground and melted into flakes and pellets. Poof.
Then, they're textured into recycled fiber, and embedded with performance properties like wicking, adaptive warming and cooling, water repellency, and more. Finally, this eco-performance material is sustainably 3D-knit into masks.
3D-knitting robots
Today, most clothes are made by cutting shapes from large sheets of fabric and sewing them together to form a finished garment.
On average, about 20-30% of fabric is cut away and discarded as leftover scraps. This wasteful manufacturing process that's used across the entire textile industry needs to be reinvented.
That's why we're using 3D-knitting, a digital and sustainable technology that knits every mask to fit with almost zero wasted material.
Every mask is 3D-knit in the USA, eliminating waste and minimizing the carbon footprint of our supply chain.
Digital 3D knitting enables precision and consistency. Every mask is constructed with functional zones that enhance comfort and protection in the places you need, all integrated in one seamless design.
Recycled and recyclable packaging
Packaging is the #1 source of plastic waste worldwide.
Our shipping mailers are made with 100% recycled paper, and is also recyclable with mixed paper.
Each mask is individually packaged in their own resealable pouch, designed for storage to help keep your mask clean, or to be recycled if no longer needed. We're on the hunt for an even more eco-friendly pouch - stay tuned.
All orders are shipped in 100% recycled and recyclable packaging.
Net-zero shipping by investing in forests
Transportation used to ship and deliver orders burns fossil fuels and generates carbon emissions.
We calculate the cost to neutralize your shipping emissions based on the distance traveled for each mask, and invest in certified projects that protect and nurture our forests.
We purchase carbon offsets to neutralize every order shipped.
Carbon offsets are purchased automatically on a monthly basis, and in compliance with the best-in-class carbon offset protocols and standards. Learn more about these natural carbon projects from our partner Pachama here.
More than an environmental issue
According to data from the CDC, long-standing systemic health and social inequalities put communities of color at increased risk of COVID-19. This is one of many examples of the disporortionally adverse effects of climate change and social inequality.
The climate crisis is a human rights crisis.
Read more on climate change and how it leads to further social inequalities in this report from the UN.
For the remainder of 2020, and in support of Black Lives Matter, we're donating 10% of our proceeds to the American Civil Liberties Union to help continue their tireless work to advance social and racial justice.
Talk is cheap
We started Cheekies with a vision to create a for-purpose, impact-driven company. To help hold ourselves legally accountable (not just corporate talk), we're applying for B Corporation certification.
We're just getting started on this journey, and we're so grateful for your support. We'll keep you updated along the way.