Some say change starts from the ground up, but these guys say ‘Change Starts with Your Underwear‘ and they aren’t just trying to be funny. Not your traditional business motto, but for Jason Kibbey and Jeff Denby, founders of organic underwear company PACT, this philosophy explains the way in which they run their business. PACT offers design-driven, responsibly manufactured, premium organic cotton underwear connected to powerful social and environmental causes. Combining style and sustainability these two ‘unlikely’ business partners have started a social movement.

Beginning with the farmers and ending with the final package arriving at your door, PACT strives to be as environmentally and socially responsible as possible. Their supply chain looks at the life cycle of the product from creation to distribution and all that goes in between such as the cotton, inks and dyes, transportation and packaging. Although PACT’s underwear is sustainable, it comes in more colors than green. These guys love color, they believe that ‘organic clothing doesn’t have to be that drab oatmeal color’. In addition to creating a sustainable product they donate 10% of the proceeds to non-profit partners such as The Green Belt Movement, ForestEthics, 826 National, Oceana, and Global Green USA. When you purchase PACT underwear, you are supporting and encouraging organic cotton farmers, responsible labor practices, and businesses that form partnerships with nonprofit organizations dedicated to positive change in our world.

Vivanista had the opportunity to ask founders Jason and Jeff a few questions about how they got started and what imPACT they are trying to make with Underwear.

What was the catalyst for starting PACT?

Jason: Jeff and I went to grad school together at Berkeley, and it was actually a longstanding goal of mine to start a company whose foundation was built on sustainability and giving money back to organizations.

Jeff: And I wanted to build a socially responsible and sustainable underwear brand. We wound up marrying the two ideas in hopes that we could make something universal.

Jason: Underwear is a 365-day item, and after a lot of research we became convinced there was demand for a stylish and sustainable underwear brand. Nothing on the market at that time met the needs of consumers. When we met Yves [Behar] and he told us that he wanted to design our underwear, we knew we had to drop everything and start looking for money to fund what ultimately would become PACT.

Explain your philosophy “CHANGE STARTS WITH UNDERWEAR.”

Jason: Change starts at home. Changing the way you live and choosing to be more mindful in your life is a very personal decision. And the most personal change starts with your underwear. It’s a starting point to your day.

What imPACT do you wish to make/reduce with your products?

Jeff: Before we design a new print, we choose a target non-profit to receive 10% of the proceeds from sales of that print. We have worked with some truly amazing organizations — 826 National, Forest Ethics, Oceana, Global Green USA, and we most recently partnered with the Green Belt Movement. Once we’ve selected our non-profit partner for a campaign, we get to work on selecting an artist or designer whose vision matches up with the spirit of that organization.

Jason: From an impact reduction standpoint, our prints are created entirely within a 100-mile supply chain in Turkey. We use the excess fabric scraps to create a pouch to hold each pair in, and when someone places an order, they’re shipped in a compostable bag. We also include information about the factory our underwear is processed in on the label of each print, and explain details on the entire manufacturing process on our website. Our goal is first and foremost to give back, but in doing so we aim to be 100% transparent in what we’re making.

How do you select your beneficiary partners?

Jason: We try to be as diverse as possible in our choices, but ultimately they are all causes that excite us.

How do you empower others?

Jason: We’re excited to give people a lot of reasons to feel good about buying a pair of PACT underwear. On a very surface level, we’re proud of the product. They’re designed for comfort, made of organic cotton and the designs are really eye-catching. But beyond that, we want our customers to feel that the choices they make in purchasing something can matter in a real, measurable way. Knowing that a percentage of the money you’ve spent will be given directly to this cool non-profit that’s working to protect our oceans or provide writing workshops for schoolchildren should make most people feel pretty good.

Jeff: And by sharing the information we do on our manufacturing process and our supply chain, it gets consumers thinking about everything they buy. If consumers really want to be privy to that information, corporations will eventually be expected to deliver it. We’re not looking to expose any ugly truths about anyone’s manufacturing methods, but we would love to help push it to the point where that information is important enough to share.

Where do you see PACT in five years?

Jason: We would certainly be thrilled if we felt that consumers on the whole had access to information on the manufacturing process and supply chain of the majority of products in the marketplace, and to feel that we were a part of that change in how we consume as a culture and as a people.

Can you share one fun fact about your organization?

We sing in our office. A lot.

What are three words that best describe PACT?

Beautiful, gives back

Which design/fit is your favorite?

Jason Kibbey, co-Founder: Oceana Wave Solid Boxer Brief

Jeff Denby, co-Founder: Pink Polkadot Boxer Brief

Gunther Lie, Director of Marketing: Greenbelt Movement Boxer Brief.

Molly Doctors, Production Manager: Polkadot Boy Shorts

About PACT

PACT is the brainchild of two unlikely business partners who joined forces in the most unlikely of places.

Jason Kibbey is a born-and-raised Berkeley leftie who started his own land conservation nonprofit, drives a Prius, and loves his bike(s). He also likes business: he helped start a few, and oddly began his career at Bain & Company. His wife sings opera; they don’t own a television; and his dog gets acupuncture.

Jeff Denby, on the other hand, was told that he was “too artsy for business school” when he showed up with multi-colored hair. A Facebook, texting, and Twitter addict who personifies young, fabulous, and broke, this wayward Canadian has shopped his way around the world. He definitely owns a television.

[Photos from PACT]