Zen-Zen uses ecologically sustainable, natural materials such as bamboo, vetiver, capiz shell and organic cotton. They try to recycle as much as possible. They make patchwork and carpets from their fabric scraps and decorations on our bags too. Everything is hand-made by village artisans or in our Balizen in-house, fair trade workshop with the smallest carbon footprint they can manage. They utilize, sustain, support and promote traditional, indigenous village handicrafts, so they can be enjoyed by this and future generations. They train their workers and outside suppliers to improve efficiency and sustainability as well as practice the 5 R's – Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, Refuse & Repair. They believe strongly in continuous improvement and are always looking to make things more efficient and sustainable. They support and are involved in sustainable education, re-forestation, organic farming, community empowerment projects and contribute to the GreenSchool Bali scholarship fund.

They are a registered fair trade company – proud members of the Fair Trade Federation. That means everyone employed including our subcontractors gets a fair living wage and has good working conditions.  Indonesian employees also have health insurance, a pension plan and organized Friday afternoon sports. But for Zen-Zen fair trade means more than that; fair trade means fair to everyone – from our most basic material suppliers/growers to the end retail users. No one gets a huge markup while someone else is getting little.

In short, they believe strongly in providing a quality, ecologically sustainable product at the best price possible, delivered in a relaxed and pleasing way that causes maximum customer satisfaction as well as an appreciation of craftsmanship and global cultures.