i lovvvve these kind of companies....this is where we are heading the coming decades... so i truly hope these initiatives will be welcomed, world wide and with open arms... In the heat of the recession in May 2009, brothers Mike and Dave and their partner, Fabian started Holstee. More than a company, or clothes, the trio wanted to create a lifestyle. Starting in the summer of 2009 they dove head first into the world of design and production. After six months and a huge learning curve, Holstee launched its first line of Recycled Tees made of 100% recycled plastic bottles that were milled, cut and sewn within 150 miles of each other in North Carolina. Starting with this first round, 10% of all sales were lent to entrepreneurs in extreme poverty through non-profit micro-lending organizations like Kiva.org - a tradition they are proud to still embrace. Oooooooh like, like, like.... A few months later, Mike needed a new wallet and wasn't finding the sort of functional and minimal design he was looking for so they decided to create their own. A few quick mock-ups and the idea of a Holstee Wallet came to life. Teaming up with an NGO in India that had perfected a method of using plastic bags collected off the streets of Delhi to create a unique 100% upcycled textile, they had prototypes in their hands a few weeks later of their new dream wallet. They made just enough for themselves and a few friends, each of whom instantly loved them. From there they decided to make a few more and sell them on Holstee.com along with their tees. The wallet is now one of our best selling products. In the months leading up to the summer of 2009, Holstee was just a small side project. We had sold a hundred or so shirts, mostly to family and close friends looking to support us. Having just quit our jobs without a plan or idea of how we would spend our days, we were filled with a ton of raw energy, emotion, and ideas - a feeling that we never wanted to forget. So the first thing Holstee's three founders - Mike, Fabian and Dave - did was sit together on the steps of Union Square and write down exactly what was on their minds and the tips of their tongues. It wasn't about shirts and it wasn't about their old jobs. It was about what they wanted from life and how to create a company that breathes that passion into the world everyday. It was a reminder of what we live for. The result became known as the Holstee Manifesto. A message that has since been shared over 500,000 times and viewed over 60 million times online. Years later it is encouraging and inspiring to see how many people the words of The Holstee Manifesto resonate with. Above all else, it has confirmed that with genuine positive intentions, anything is possible. Ecology is all-encompassing. It's more than recycled vs. organic or biodegradable vs. everlasting. It helps bring to light everything and everyone impacted by the creation of anything. From day one, they' ve had the opportunity to align themselves with organizations who employ fair working conditions, use sustainable materials and processes, and implement distribution chains that minimize environmental impact. At the core of ecology and Holstee are the decisions they each make as individuals and their intentions behind them that drive true sustainable change. They encourage people to think critically about their lives and the impacts of their decisions and to realize we have the power to drive systemic change by what we choose to buy or, more importantly, by what we choose not to buy. Though we are a design company producing goods, we are also the first to say if you don't need something, don't buy it. Above all, we want people to know that the goods we create are by-products of the genuine conversation we want to have about consumption in direct relation to the planet and how we can better minimize our human impact through conscious design. Simply stated, our goal is to create the greatest social impact while simultaneously creating the smallest environmental impact. Well....need i say more... This 5-pack of cards is designed so you can spread the love. The cards are printed on paper derived from 50% elephant poo (wow, that is great!!!!) + 50% recycled paper, making it a natural source that is 100% biodegradable. Now that’s a message worth sharing...Cards are 5 x 7 and come with matching elepoo envelopes. The packaging, recently minimized, is also 100% biodegradable. Go ahead, life is short... i saw Holstee at yesterday's shop.. Holstee