Orba

Values

Our Story

Orba was born out of the need to make a change for good. Every year the global fashion industry produces more than 20 billion shoes that rely on harmful synthetics, with little regard for the sustainability of their materials, the wellbeing of the people involved, or how these products will impact the environment after disposal. 

Orba’s sneakers are making a difference by focusing on these three areas: 

• Environmental: choosing highly renewable, plant-based materials with low environmental impact with regard to resource extraction practices and manufacturing

• Social: funding training programs to help their smaller suppliers grow sustainably

• Waste: creating a shoe that is designed to biodegrade, shipped to you in a recyclable box!

In short, Orba’s products look out for the planet and the people living in it.

Orba’s shoe manufacturing factory has been producing in the heart of Indonesia’s footwear industry area, Surabaya, East Java, since 1990. They are a Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) compliant contractor, which means that they put sustainable practices at the heart of their business by monitoring and assessing workplace standards. For compliance, they are third-party audited every 3 years. 

In addition, Orba has four smaller suppliers in Indonesia. Out of these four, one is a family-run traditional weaver that creates flax canvas, one is a traditional fabric dyer of natural, plant-based dyes and the other is their bio-sole manufacturer.

These suppliers are part of Orba’s "helping hand" initiative whereby Orba fully funds the International Labour Organization’s SCORE training programs that help small businesses grow in a more efficient and sustainable way. 

“We're very proud, as a start-up, to make financial commitments to helping our smaller suppliers achieve sustainable growth.”

Orba ensures there is no form of modern slavery, child labour or human trafficking within their supply chain as every supplier has been familiarized with the Orba Sustainable Supplier Code of Conduct.

They also have a small Orba team that lives near their smaller suppliers. They know the families personally and visit their places of work frequently to ensure every need is being met. This is how Orba identified the need for workplace sustainability and efficiency training. 

“Some of these suppliers supply fabrics for massive overseas brands yet it was us, a small start-up, who chose to put our hands in our pockets and make sure our suppliers can grow sustainably while we grow with them.