Aminals booklet

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We are 100% organic, inside and out – and so are our products. The fabrics are manufactured without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, they are dyed with organic dyes and they are stuffed with pure organic cotton stufďŹ ng.

Did you know that cotton is one of the most ecologically destructive ďŹ eld crops in the world? Millions, even billions of pounds of pesticides, defoliants, herbicides and

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synthetic fertilizers are sprayed on cotton each year. These inconsiderate practices harm our air, water and soil. They negatively impact biodiversity and permanently damage our farmers’ health and safety. In fact, a quarter of the world’s toxic insecticides are used just for growing conventional cotton.

There is a solution – organic farms are free of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, keeping their soil and water protected and usable for many, many years to come. Before a farm may be certified organic, the fields must be free of synthetic chemicals for three years. page 4

Organic farms rotate crops to replenish and maintain the soil’s fertility, and control pests and weeds naturally. They use insect predators, traps, or botanical pesticides that are broken down quickly and simply with oxygen and sunlight.

Growing cotton organically also benefits small-scale farmers who don’t have the funds to buy expensive, toxic pesticides. Organic cotton farming also uses significantly less water and electric power than conventional cotton farming techniques.

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Not only is organic farming healthier and safer for our farmers, our field workers, and our communities, organic cotton is free from synthetic poisons that are absorbed into our bloodstream through skin contact. Products manufactured from certified organic ingredients are the safest for our kids!

Only low impact and natural vegetable dyes are used in certified organic cotton production, unlike the toxic, synthetic dyes used in conventional cotton manufacturing. Each time we make the choice to use certified organic ingredients, your children are safer and the world is a cleaner, greener place. page 6

Our social environment is important to us, too. ‘Aminals’ are certified under the two internationally recognized bodies, SKAL and GOTS. These regulating groups ensure humane, safe and hygienic working conditions during all the stages of processing and production.

There is no forced labor and workers are not required to lodge so-called “identity deposits” with their employers. Workers are free to leave page 7

their job at any time and have the right to join or form trade unions. Child labor is absolutely forbidden. Wages and beneďŹ ts paid for a standard working week meet national labor standards or industry benchmark standards, whichever is higher. Working hours comply with national laws and benchmark industry standards, whichever affords greater protection.

There is no discrimination in hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based on race, caste, national origin, religion, age, disability, page 8

gender, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership or political afďŹ liation.

Physical abuse or discipline, the threat of physical abuse, sexual or other harassment and verbal abuse or other forms of intimidation are prohibited. ‘Aminals’ are produced using the fairest, safest, most humane labor standards available.

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“Your fox... his ears... look more like horns... and they’re too long!” And he laughed again.

“You’re being unfair, my little prince,” I said. “I never know how to draw anything but boas from the inside and boas from the outside.”

“Oh, that’ll be all right,” he said. “Children understand.”

Antoine de Saint-Exupery The Little Prince

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In those days I thought a lot about jungle adventures, and eventually managed to make my first drawing, using a colored pencil. I showed the grown-ups my masterpiece, and I asked them if my drawing scared them.

They answered, “Why be scared of a hat?”

My drawing was not a picture of a hat. It was a picture of a boa constrictor digesting an elephant.

Then I drew the inside of the boa constrictor, so the grown-ups could understand. They always need explanations.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery The Little Prince

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®

Aminals are certified by GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), OTA (Organic Trade Association), EKO and SKAL, internationally recognized bodies that certify that all fibers and processes involved in the manufacture of Aminals meet strict standards for organic, sustainable and humane textile production. Every processing step to make Aminals, from farming through spinning, weaving, washing and dyeing meets these criteria. www.aminaldolls.com page 12