Meet The Big Blue Bike, an online eco brand with a mission.
They launched in Peru with the goal of providing an alternative to cashmere. Cashmere goats in Mongolia and other parts of Asia are tearing up the land by their aggressive grazing habits and “stilletto” like hooves causing soil erosion and deserts in what used to be vast grasslands. The demand for their fiber has led to an overpopulation of these goats which also consume large amounts of water resources. Alpacas, on the other hand, produce fiber that is lighter, more durable and just as luxurious as the best cashmere available. The hardy animals do not tear up the land, require very little land and water resources and their fecal matter is a source of fuel for Andean communities.
As they were launching they also uncovered a worrying decline in the colored alpaca population. There is demand for only white alpaca fiber (for easier application of dyes), leading to a selective breeding process by Andean herders. They decided to use only the natural colors of alpacas, therefore creating a demand for their fiber. This encourages herders to breed more of them. Using simple market forces, they are trying to rejuvenate the colored alpaca population.
The Big Blue Bike’s manufacturing partners have been acclaimed by the Peruvian government for their ethical standards and focus on developing the community, and partnering with women’s groups that have an NGO status. They train women from disadvantaged areas of Lima and the highlands who typically don’t have the same work opportunities as their peers in more urban areas. A lot of these women have suffered from domestic violence and are single-handedly supporting their families.
These incredible sweaters are in stores across the country – and their online boutique is up and running as of January. Mention Seed & Sew and get 15% off anything in the store – happy shopping.
