About Zavod Jazon:
Zavod Jazon, part of the Etri Group, focuses on providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
The Zavod Jazon is part of the Etri Group, which has been operating for more than 30 years. Since 2012, it has the status of an employment center, developing social innovations, jobs for the most vulnerable members of society and actively contributing to an inclusive society. It implements solutions, services, and encourages the creation of new knowledge, connections, the development of new professions, approaches and products in the field of ecology, ergonomics and ethical economics.
The main mission of the Zavod Jazon is the social innovation of career rehabilitation, fostering responsibility, self-initiative, and tolerance. Employees acquire functional competences and all kinds of literacy, and their progress proves and supports the operating approach.
About Lindström:
Lindström is one of the leading European companies in the field of textile services. It has more than 170 years of experience in the textile industry offering solutions in the areas of cleanliness and interior design of buildings, work clothes and protection.
Lindström is a fast-growing international company, whose success is supported by strong conceptual designs of procedures that ensure their quality, uniformity of service and responsibility in all countries in which it has operations.
The Partnership:
Through its collaboration with Lindström, Zavod Jazon repurposes donated waste textiles into new, high-quality products, contributing to both a circular economy in Slovenia and financial sustainability for the organization. These products, such as aprons, bags, and work clothes, were developed by Zavod Jazon and sold back to Lindström as business gifts, forming a key part of the enterprise’s revenue model.
This business arrangement resulted in over €40,000 in direct income for Zavod Jazon through the sales of these repurposed items. However, the broader value of the partnership extended beyond these sales. By working with Lindström, Zavod Jazon was able to innovate, develop new products, and open up additional market opportunities, greatly amplifying the financial and social impact of the collaboration.
This partnership represents a mutually beneficial business model that integrates sustainability and corporate social responsibility into Lindström’s supply chain while providing Zavod Jazon with both financial growth and opportunities for product innovation.
The partnership is an example of how circular economy principles can be successfully applied in the textile industry. Repurposing waste textiles reduced the environmental impact of textile production, while the products created were integrated into Lindström’s corporate gift offerings. This arrangement aligns with Slovenia’s broader sustainability goals and highlights the importance of a circular economy, with businesses like Lindström playing a pivotal role in making sustainable practices profitable.
Quotes
“We are providing opportunitiesfor individuals facing challenges in employability by collaborating with companies like Lindström. By offering jobs that align with the workers' capabilities while delivering high-value products, we are demonstrating a commitment to promoting meaningful employment in a way that benefits not only the workers but also the broader community ”
Marjeta Lužnik, Development Manager for Own Products Etri
“Donating waste textile materials to produce new products not only reduces garbage, but also fosters a circular economy that promotes sustainability. This process not only creates job opportunities for those who are difficult to employ, but also results in new products with added value, thereby benefiting both the environment and society as a whole.”
Kržič Aleš, Lindström
Impact:
The collaboration between Lindström and Zavod Jazon has yielded multiple benefits:
Waste Reduction: Repurposing waste textiles reduced the environmental burden of textile disposal.
Job Creation for Marginalized Groups: Zavod Jazon created meaningful employment for people with disabilities, aligning with their mission of social inclusion.
Revenue Generation: Direct sales to Lindström exceeded €40,000, with the partnership offering broader financial and developmental benefits through product innovation.
Promotion of Circular Economy: The partnership is an effective demonstration of recycling and reusing materials, encouraging other companies to adopt similar sustainable practices.