SUSTAINABILITY AT KOTIS

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We believe in the power of swag – and the responsibility to make that swag better. It takes more work, but it’s worth it. Explore what we’re doing and what’s to come.
Fight for Better.

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mbs
We believe in the power of swag – and the responsibility to make that swag better. It takes more work, but it’s worth it. Explore what we’re doing and what’s to come.
Fight for Better

Our facilities Our People + Culture Our Responsibility Our Thoughts on Sustainability Our Sustainable Picks

KOTIS PRINT SHOP
Our path to sustainable screen printing

Water Reduction

When cleaning screens, we use an EcoRinse machine which reduces water consumption by applying the precise amount of water needed. The water is then filtered and recirculated as much as possible

KOTIS WAREHOUSE
Packaging that takes care of your items and the environment

More Recycling, Less Waste

We’re improving how we fulfill and ship your orders with packaging that’s 100% biodegradable or recyclable. From tape with plant based adhesive, to reusable and biodegradable mailers, we’re looking at all aspects of our warehouse operation to use better materials.

Energy Savings

Hundreds of bulbs have been upgraded to LEDs throughout our 200,000 sqft of facilities.

Biodegradable
Bubble Mailers
These mailers are biodegradable within 5-60 months.

Reusable
Poly Mailers
A dual adhesive strip allows these 100% recycled mailers to be used again before being recycled.

Tape with Plant
Based Adhesive
A plant-derived glue makes the tape adhesive biodegradable as well as the paper.

Recyclable
Air Pillows
No more styrofoam peanuts. Instead we’re using 100% recyclable air pillows to cushion shipments.

Glassware
Packaging
Recyclable paper is transformed into honeycomb packaging material to protect glassware.

OUR PEOPLE + CULTURE
A culture that benefits our people and the planet

The people we work with become close, with a common set of company values we all stand for. Our first value is to fight for better and the final one is to do the right thing. Those bookend values drive much of what we do and how we’ve built our culture. We give people flexibility in how they do their job, so work can flex around their life, instead of the other way around. We have a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion committee to spread awareness and love throughout the company. We care about sustainability in the swag we make and the buildings we occupy. We believe in the cause of each of our clients and help them spread the word with the merch we make.

A majority of Kotisians work remotely, which reduces emissions, single use plastic, and power usage

Motion light sensors and LEDs have been installed to reduce energy usage (even on the cafe lights)

Recycling bins are throughout our warehouses (along with bins labeled “LANDFILL” so it’s clear where things are going)

Recycling symbol with leaf icon in center.

We train our people on sustainability and product waste
in our industry

OUR RESPONSIBILITY + FACTORIES
Consider the whole supply chain

In order to make great swag, we have to work with great people, factories and suppliers. With having our own importing team, we have the opportunity to get deeper into the supply chain to check on compliance and Code of Conduct.

of our Top 50 products are produced with vendors who have signed our Code of Conduct

of our importing factories have been audited

Safety First
For us, safety is at the center of everything we do – it’s why we’re recognized as a Product Safety Ambassador by PPAI.

What’s Next
• Majority of our business coming from our top CR Partner Vendors
• 95% of our importing factories being audited

OUR VENDORS
Partner brands that give back
We can all do something individually, but collectively we can impact even more change. Here are some of the many brands we’ve partnered with that actively give back and care about sustainability. Your swag can do even more when you start with one of their products.

Miir supports local causes and projects. Each item has a code so you can track your impact.

The North Face has led the charge in designing environmentally and socially responsible products.

All of Marine Layer’s tees and hoodies are sustainably produced. Their re-spun tees are made entirely of recycled shirts.

Klean Kanteen is a B Corp and member of 1% for the Earth.

Sunski is a carbon neutral company that uses recycled materials, no plastic in shipping, and has a lifetime warranty.

Every Corkcicle purchase helps bring clean water to people in need through Corkcicle’s partnership with charity : water.

Soapbox donates bar soaps and contributes to health and hygiene initiatives in communities, both domestically and abroad.

Each Porter Bowl purchase supports food education in public schools through W&P’s partnership with Edible Schoolyard NYC.

Rumpl is committed to sourcing environmentally responsible materials, offsetting their carbon footprint and environmental advocacy.

Green Printing

No specific ink is the silver bullet in terms of sustainability, therefore we focus on the handling inks for reducing our impact. We use green ink detergents, degreasers, and press wash. The less chemicals the better.

We’re Certified Green
Over the years, we’ve made changes to become a Green Printing certified facility, something we’re stoked about.