Vincent Van der Holst Readdressing the Concept of Sustainability with BOAS

1. Vincent Van der Holst: Readdressing the Concept of Sustainability with BOAS Before we begin this article, let’s go over the concept of sustainability and what it entails. The concept of sustainability in simple words entails that everything that exists on the planet is finite, and we must take up the responsibility to pave the path in making use of these finite resources in a conservative way and approach, with the hope of prolonging the biodiversity of our plant for as long as possible. Sustainable development is built on four important foundation stones - Economic, Social, Environmental, and Human. These four foundation stones are proven to make any business, organization, place, idea, concept, strategy, and decision more sustainable, eco-friendly, green, and conservative. The various sustainability strategies for environmental conservation initiatives can prove to be very beneficial to the planet and its inhabitants in several ways. They are as follows - Biodiversity protection, Decrease in greenhouse gases and pollution, Decrease in adverse climatic changes, Decrease in the overall carbon footprint, Increase in the conservative measures taken to save natural resources, and Increase in the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle). Therefore, in this article, we will be talking about the fascinating journey of one such organization - BOAS, whose primary motto is to „Save Jeans, Save Lives‟. With the holistic sustainability approaches adopted by the company, the Founder and CEO - Vincent Van der Holst inspires, drives, and instills in consumers, the need for readdressing sustainability concepts to combat the concerns and issues that are on the rise, especially in recent years. BOAS with Founder and CEO - Vincent Van der Holst: The company was founded by Vincent Van der Holst in the year 2021. The organization is established and located in Amsterdam, North Holland. The organization named - BOAS, is a business whose motto is - „Save Jeans, Save Lives‟ and it primarily aims to sell branded and vintage jeans back to consumers. „Fast fashion is the problem, but fast vintage fashion is the solution.‟ - BOAS With a mission to save 1 million lives of small and young children, the BOAS sustainability framework has been set in place. The organization aims to collect 90% of the profits and donate it all to charities so that many lives of young children can be saved to decrease child mortality rates. In the 90% of the profits collected, a portion is also contributed to charities (mainly the largest donation being made to ‘The Against Malaria Foundation’) that are power-driven to save the environment with eco-friendly practices as well, thus encouraging and promoting sustainability practices.

2. “90% of BOAS is owned by the BOAS Lifesaver Foundation, whose mission it is to save lives, by funding the best lifesaving charities.” The manufacturing and production of jeans go through a tedious process that affects the environment. BOAS is on a mission to bring awareness and solutions to the issues that are consequences of our blind actions. To educate us, BOAS shares interesting insights into the environmental impacts faced when consumers need to purchase a pair of jeans. “...we could use 1.7 trillion dollars to avert climate disaster, use less than 10% to double the income of all 650 million people living in extreme poverty (less than $3 a day), and use some of it to save the millions of lives lost by preventable diseases each year.” - BOAS‟ Vision. They describe the impacts that occur and take place when one goes to purchase a pair of jeans. Saving up on a 27-kilometer drive where around 8.35kg of CO2 is emitted, Saving 15 showers taken by consumers which is approximately 945 liters of water, Saving up on space where the manufacturing and production of a pair of jeans occupies over a 3-meter square area of a balcony. The brands that work closely and collaborate with BOAS and its sustainable practices are as follows - Levi’s, Wrangler, Lee, Diesel, G-Straw Raw, and Armani Jeans. The company also encourages the people and its consumers to purchase as well as work from and with ‘Profit for Good’ companies such as Patagonia and Bosch. To Conclude: Re-investing in themselves, and donating 90% of the profits to the much-needed charities and foundations - BOAS, founded by Vincent Van der Holst, in 2021, lives by the motto - ‘Save Lives, Save Jeans’. A retail and fashion apparel business in the fashion industry, BOAS is determined to follow through with sustainability practices and measures for a better future and a better quality of life. The selling of branded and used vintage jeans to avoid burning and sending them to landfills, this sustainability approach taken by BOAS is a fascinating one.