Sourcing Sustainable Aso Oke: A Guide for Merchandise Buyers

October 20, 2024

As a merchandise buyer, sourcing fabrics that align with your values is essential. Aso Oke, a fabric deeply rooted in Nigerian culture, offers a perfect balance of tradition, versatility, and sustainability. At Woven Market Africa, we’re committed not only to preserving this cultural heritage but also to ensuring that our production processes remain eco-friendly and community-focused. Here’s everything you need to know when sourcing authentic, sustainable Aso Oke for your stores or collections.

Aso Oke: The Sustainable Fabric Choice

Aso Oke is more than just a beautiful fabric; it symbolizes time-honored craftsmanship and environmental consciousness. Every stage of Aso Oke production reflects Eco-conscious practices, as artisans spin the yarn by hand and weave the fabric using hand-operated looms. These looms require no electricity, minimizing energy consumption and environmental impact . Additionally, its durability ensures that it stands the test of time, reducing the need for frequent replacements. A core tenet of slow fashion.

Unlike fast fashion, which contributes to environmental degradation through wasteful, high-volume production methods, Aso Oke embraces the slow fashion movement, offering a thoughtful alternative. By choosing Aso Oke, buyers actively support a fashion ethos that values quality over quantity, thereby reducing their environmental footprint in the process.

Here at Woven Market Africa, we’re deeply committed to environmental consciousness in every aspect of our work—from our sustainable production methods to our packaging. Every step we take is designed to minimize waste and honor the planet, ensuring that our practices align with our values of sustainability and responsibility. Learn more about our production process here

Woven Market Africa: Our Commitment to Sustainability

At Woven Market Africa, sustainability is woven into every part of our process as we consciously work towards contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our approach not only reduces environmental impact but also contributes to social and economic growth in Africa. Here’s how we do it:

Handcrafted Production: Every piece of Aso Oke is crafted by hand, avoiding the use of heavy machinery that contributes to carbon emissions. This initiative aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. By employing traditional, energy-efficient methods, we ensure that our production process remains environmentally friendly while preserving the authenticity and integrity of the fabric.
Job Creation & Social Sustainability: Over 80% of our artisans are grassroots Nigerian women who are paid fair wages. This not only promotes gender equality, but also provides a steady income which aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by promoting gender equality through economic empowerment. Providing steady, fair income also contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. These women not only secure livelihoods for themselves but also play a pivotal role in driving economic growth within their communities. By partnering with local artisans, we’re also working towards reducing poverty and inequality. This supports both UN Sustainable Development Goal 1: No poverty and UN Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
Locally Sourced Materials: We’re committed to using locally sourced materials whenever possible, from the yarn we weave to crafting our own equipment. This reduces our dependence on imports, cuts down on transportation emissions, and strengthens the local economy. When needed, we also use natural dyes and Nigerian-made threads, ensuring that our production process supports local artisans and keeps environmental impact low. Even our packaging is sourced locally, reinforcing our commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
No Waste Philosophy: We don’t mass produce at Woven Market Africa—every piece is made to order. This ensures that waste is minimal from the start. Any leftover fabrics or scraps are either sold or creatively repurposed into something new. It’s a key part of our philosophy, focusing on sustainability and making the most of every material. By recycling and upcycling, we honor our eco-conscious commitment, ensuring that every thread has a purpose.
Sustainable Packaging: At Woven Market Africa, our commitment to sustainability extends beyond production. We use handmade biodegradable paper bags for packaging. This reinforces our dedication to eco-conscious practices aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Our 11reusable bags minimize waste and promote conscious consumption. We encourage our customers to get creative and find new uses for our packaging, ensuring that every aspect of their purchase aligns with an environmentally friendly ethos.

Committing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are crucial for fostering a better world, addressing poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability. At Woven Market Africa, we strive to align our practices with these goals in every step of our process. Our commitment is rooted in the belief that together, we can create a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

Join us in this important journey, and learn more about the SDGs and how they impact our world by visiting the United Nations website.

Choose Sustainable Aso Oke with Woven Market Africa

When you source your Aso Oke from Woven Market Africa, you invest not only in a high-quality, beautiful fabric but also in a movement toward a more sustainable and equitable fashion industry. Our commitment to ethical craftsmanship, community empowerment, and sustainable practices ensures that every piece of Aso Oke we produce makes a positive impact. Together, we can showcase the beauty and versatility of Aso Oke while actively working toward a more sustainable future. Ready to make a difference?

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