I’m using three different types of detergent:

• Blueland Laundry Detergent Tablets
• Dropps Laundry Detergent Pods (liquid packets)
• TruEarth Laundry Detergent Sheets

Method

For these tests, I’m using our own front-loading High Efficency (HE) washing machine, one that uses less water and energy to get the job done. This makes a difference as the drum isn’t filled up with water as the older top-load models are, which means considerably less detergent is needed to get your clothes clean. I also add a tablespoon of distilled white vinegar to the fabric softener tray for each wash. This helps to increase the PH of the rinse cycle for better detergent residue removal and keeps the washing machine drum clean.

For anyone wondering, I have not been compensated, given free products, or otherwise reimbursed by or any of these companies, and purchased all of these products personally and anonymously without a discount. To be honest, I doubt these companies even know who I am or that I ever conducted this test.

Blueland

Overview

Cost- Refills cost $21 for 60 tablets*, which comes out to $0.35 per load

Pros

• Most eco-friendly (minimal processing energy, lower shipping weight)
• Fully biodegradable, no waste in packaging or product

Cons

• Doesn’t always dissolve fully

Dropps

Overview

Cost- Refills cost $26 for 64 pods*, which comes out to $0.41 per load

Pros

• Formula specific for athletic (synthetic) clothing
• Effective cleaning power
• Shipping and product packaging is integrated and minimal- designed well for home delivery waste-reduction

Cons

• Liquid form (heavy to ship)
• Encased in synthetic petrochemical-based Polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH or PVA) pod (which may not be fully biodegradable)

TruEarth

Overview

Cost- Refills cost $39.95 for 64 sheets*, which comes out to $0.62 per load

Pros

• Lightest and smallest size of the bunch
• Shipping and product packaging is integrated and minimal

Cons

• Most expensive per load
• Also uses synthetic petrochemical-based Polyvinyl alcohol

Results

Even though I have had some rare occurrences of tablets not fully dissolving, my preference here is for Blueland based on the overall environmental impact and negligible performance differences. It is nice that Blueland also is less expensive than the alternatives, and certainly plays a part in my preference over TruEarth sheets. I’ve been impressed with their products and have expanded my household to also use Blueland’s hand soap and am especially fond of the powder dish soap.

Ultimately a big part of what makes a product eco-friendly is what impact it has (or could have) on the planet. The big question in my mind is: what is the real-world impact of Polyvinyl alcohol on the environment? Unfortunately, the answer is we don’t yet know, and due to influential industry and trade groups, we may never fully know without good, independent, peer-reviewed research. Don’t get me wrong, these products are a huge step up from the plastic jugs currently clogging shelves in the laundry aisle, but until we know that PVAs biodegrade fully and safely in real-world situations, I’m going to recommend (and myself use) a product with known impacts.

*Prices are from on published website retail prices at last check on January 27, 2022

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• Skin sensitivity issues
  Both from a friction and chafing aspect as well as fabric-to-skin interaction. Many have adverse reactions to polyesters, wool, and fabric blends that become exaserbated when used in those extra-sensitive areas.
• Frequent washings
  Many fabrics and stiching deteriorate rapidly after constant washing machine and machine dryer exposure
• Support and fit
  The right balance between comfort and support without feeling like compression fabric is not always easy

I am a huge proponent of Hemp as a textile and believe we should be using it in more applications as a replacement for cotton. WAMA has been incorporating Hemp into their undergarments to increase the sustainability of the fabric as well as improve the social responsibility of manufacturing.

I was fortunate enough to receive a few samples from WAMA to try out, and so far I am very impressed. The fit is great with the right level of support (snug without feeling too tight) and lasts the whole day. They did a great job of maintaining a nice fabric feel as many of the other hemp clothing I own tend to be a bit chunky or scratchy similar to linen, not so with WAMA. They have balanced the fit, feel, and durability– all while developing a more sustainable product and manufacturing process. WAMA hemp underwear is 53% Hemp, 44% Organic Cotton, and 3% Spandex.

Sporting certifications such as OEKO-TEX Standard 100 for harmful substances, a Green America certified business, and a member of the amfori Business Social Compliance Initiative, WAMA is going beyond just selling underwear. Beyond that, WAMA actually seems interested in doing more and continuing to improve their product, their sustainability, and their social practices- which is a reason in itself to support them.

Check out WAMA’s ‘nude’ underwear colors that incoportate a nice spectrum of skin tones!

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Many have led the way into more environmentally friendly cleaners, like Method, Vaska, and Seventh Generation; and building on that is a new generation of cleaning products that come without the waste of disposable plastic bottles and unnecessary wasteful packaging. My primary grading on these products is that they are:

• Waste-Free – A Reduction or elimination of packaging and material waste
• Compostable and biodegradable ingredients and packaging
• Plastic-Free
• Gentle on the environment with no toxic chemicals, ethically sourced
• Low overall carbon-footprint (including transportation of materials)

Hand Soap

Blueland – My favorite for both hand soaps as well as their cleaner solutions due to the minimized environmental impact, they are also excellent at cleaning. The dissolvable tablets are light, easy to transport, and are packaged in a small compostable wrapper. What I love about these is not only the refillable/reuse, but also the huge reduction in carbon-footprint due to the small and light tablet form in place of heavy liquids (even when concentrated)
Best for Environment – Lowest waste packaging, lowest transportation carbon-footprint, plastic-free, all-natural ingredients.

Laundry

TruEarth Laundry strips – My favorite new addition to nearly waste-free laundry are these laundry strips that are incredibly light and easy to ship, are completely plastic free, and ship in minimal cardboard sleeve package that can be recycled or composted.
Best for Environment – Lowest waste packaging, lowest transportation carbon-footprint, plastic-free, all-natural ingredients.

Dropps Laundry Pods – Reducing waste and using natural plant-based cleaners is only one part of what Dropps is all about. They’ve focused on creating a formula that is both environmentally responsible as well as effective on stains.
Great for Environment – Very low-waste packaging, plastic-free, all-natural plant-based ingredients.

Nellies Laundry Soda (Bulk bucket) – What is great about using this to do your laundry are both the size and ingredients. Buying in bulk has never been easier, and because it’s a powder, it has a significantly lower transportation footprint than if it were liquid. Made from only four ingredients with no SLS, SLES, gluten, phosphates, chlorine, fragrance, optical brighteners, or solid synthetics!
Good – Reusable packaging (bucket), bulk with relatively low transportation carbon-footprint, all-natural ingredients.

Replace dryer sheets with wool dryer balls – This is a no-brainer to reduce waste and harmful chemicals while increasing the performance of your dryer. If your clothes need a fabric softener, try adding a tablespoon or so of distilled white vinegar to your washing machine in your fabric softener receptacle.

Automatic Dishwasher

Blueland – My favorite for both hand soaps as well as their cleaner solutions due to the minimized environmental impact, they are also excellent at cleaning. The dissolvable tablets are light, easy to transport, and are packaged in a small compostable wrapper. What I love about these is not only the refillable/reuseable aspect, but also the huge reduction in carbon-footprint due to the small and light tablet form in place of heavy liquids (even when concentrated). Made without any triclosan, parabens, phosphates, ammonia, VOCs, petroleum, artificial dyes or fragrances. Certified USDA BioPreferred and Leaping Bunny (cruetly-free).
Best for Environment – Lowest waste packaging, lowest transportation carbon-footprint, plastic-free, non-toxic ingredients.

Dropps Dishwasher Pods – Also making pods for your laundry, Dropps dishwasher detergent pods are non-toxic biodegradable pouches that dissolve in the wash and are filled with detergent powder. Delivered in a cardboard box, there is very little waste and it is plastic-free!
Best for Environment – Lowest waste packaging, lowest transportation carbon-footprint, plastic-free, non-toxic ingredients.

Toothpaste

Unpaste Tooth Tablets – All the ingredients you want in a toothpaste, none you don’t- including the tube. It is estimated that over 1.5 Billion plastic toothpaste tubes are thrown away each year, 400 Million in the US alone! These tablets dissolve into a paste right in your mouth and are delivered in a compostable pouch for the most minimal environmental impact.
Best for Environment – Lowest waste packaging, lowest transportation carbon-footprint, plastic-free, all-natural ingredients.

Where to buy?

Here are some great retailers I’ve come across that carry these types of products and more!

Well Earth Goods – Waste-Free and Plastic-Free goods for your home that carry many of the items above (and more). Based in Oregon.

The post Eliminating Waste in Packaging – Laundry, Dishwasher & Hand Soaps appeared first on The Chic Ecologist.

Plastic Straws
Gaining much more attention lately due to their propensity to show up in large numbers at beach cleanup days and recent bans in cities across the country, disposable plastic straws are everywhere.

In just the U.S. alone, nearly 500 million straws are used every single day. A recent study published in Science Magazine estimated as many as 8.3 billion plastic straws pollute the world’s beaches.

Luckily there are now several reusable straw options available, from silicone, glass, stainless steel, and titanium. For parties and what not, there are several disposable options that are much more earth-friendly. Wax-paper straws, natural HAY! straws, and even edible straws made from seaweed!

Plastic Utensils
Reusable utensils are normal at home, but when we are on the go or at work, it seems normal goes out the window. Plastic utensils are everywhere in our on-the-move society and often provided whether or not you need it.

There are bio-plastic options, but even those can cause problems (hint: they don’t recycle or compost easily). Wood and natural material utensils are an improvement, but the best option is to go reusable. Options like Twinz Reusable Chopsticks made from lightweight titanium are compact, convenient, anti-microbial, and can be taken anywhere.

Reusable Water Bottles and Cups
If you’re on this website, you probably already know about reusable water bottles and the impact reduction they can have. However, disposable plastic water bottles are still one of the most common trash items found on our beaches and in our oceans.

Filling stations are making appearances everywhere from airports, gyms, schools, museums and more making it easy to refill whenever and wherever. With all the options available, glass, metal, BPA-Free plastic, insulated, straw-top, etc, you are sure to find one that fits you.

Reusable bags
We’ve seen them everywhere, hanging in the wind, stuck in trees, fences, gutters, you name it. Bans in several cities have helped, but why depend on that when you can just throw a small packable reusable bag in your car, purse, or backpack (heck, just use your backpack!)

I’m a big fan of taking these reusable and washable mesh produce bags to the farmers market for my fruits and vegetables.

Tampons
Not often considered, the waste from feminine products from millions of women each month creates tons of waste.

A typical woman can use anywhere between 8,000 to 17,000 tampons in her lifetime.

Products like the Keeper, the Moon Cup, the Diva Cup, and newly created Voxapod all work on the same premise of a reusable cup that you can just rinse out.

Compostable Diapers
It’s no secret disposable diapers and wipes clog landfills, the convenience factor hard to ignore for many parents. Cloth diapers and reusable diaper services offer an alternative, but there are also some new options from providers like Earth Baby. Compostable diapers really only work when you have access to an industrial composting facility (they do not compost in backyards or most green waste facilities).

The post Minor Eco Products with Maximum Environmental Impact appeared first on The Chic Ecologist.

Embracing an age where community means something deeply local, while also involving people all over the globe who share an interest and passion for the beauty of handmade things. Being just 15 minutes outside of downtown Asheville, North Carolina and with social media friends, Echoview is constantly connecting and collaborating with endless creative folks as they push the boundaries of the modern craft movement. They also work with friends who have been farming these rich mountains and beautifully crafting simple home goods out of locally sourced materials for generations. One hand in the past, with their eye on the future.

Environment
Echoview is dedicated to doing their part to stop putting an unnecessary tax on the environment for the sake of a few bucks. The pace of consumerism is vastly out of step with our planet’s natural resources, and they believe in taking responsible steps towards the future. On an average day, their entire operation derives 50% of its electricity from the solar panels on their roof, while working to source materials locally and domestically from renewable resources, saving and reusing waste from the manufacturing process, all the while researching new ways to make changes. They hope that their products serve as ambassadors of their mission by lasting longer, serving multiple purposes, and encouraging people to make things themselves so they, too, can help slow the pace of mass production.

It is important to us that we are a living wage certified company. Making things for fun is fun, making things for a living can be really hard work. In our industry, ethics are often sacrificed for profit, and manufacturing has moved further and further away at the expense of jobs, the environment, and even workers lives.

There are no excuses for factory collapses like Rana Plaza for the sake of cheap fashion – somebody is always paying the cost. We work hard to ensure that Echoview is as safe and healthy a workplace as possible, and ensuring a fair living wage is part of that package.

Process
Process matters – in more ways than one. Environmentally, Echoview has achieved something quite remarkable in reducing the carbon footprint of our products by creating a space where fiber can go from a raw cut to a finished product in one building. Process also matters when it comes to creating a high-quality end product.

Products
Echoview products are unique because they are asking you to participate and interact with them by making something that you’ll cherish. By participating in their making, they believe you’ll end up buying fewer things that you toss. By being a part of a community of inspired makers and individuals, you foster a new age of thoughtfulness. By having them in your home, you hold the end product of their process, which is working to slow down an unsustainable system.

Their top selling products are Wool Dryer Balls, which help clothes dry faster and make clothes and linens feel soft and yummy. They also have a line of wool, alpaca and Organic Cotton knit items, including Blankets, Throws, Pillows, Ponchos, Scarves, Sweaters and Socks. The third part of the Mill is Yarn. Lovely yarns are made from USA wool and Alpaca to support American farmers. They also carry a line of Naturally Dyed yarns and have a Community Dye Garden, where community members help from seed to dye. They can come participate in Dye Days with their own yarns or fabrics in exchange for helping with the Garden.

All in all this is the kind of company ethic I hope to see spread for our future, committed to the sustainability of their products and the involvement of the community.

The post Local Wool Products & Community – Echoview Fiber Mill appeared first on The Chic Ecologist.

Gifts for the Earth

This year, the Earth Day Network has focused it’s efforts on ending plastic pollution. Personally, I think this is a great cause since it impacts everyone across the globe. With plastic pollution clogging our waterways, oceans, landfills and just about every natural space on earth, it has already begun to invade our food.

Google “Earth Day Events” with your city and state to find events near you to participate in. It is very common to find a cleanup, habitat restoration, trail maintenance or other activity that will support the environment in your very own community.

There are many organizations out there that could really use your help in doing very real things to protect our earth. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Natural Resources Defense Council – Protecting our environment
• World Wildlife Fund – Protecting wildlife
• The Nature Conservancy – Preserving our land
• Surfrider Foundation Protecting our beaches
• Oceana – Preserving our oceans

Shopping for the Earth

For those looking to celebrate the earth while shopping, check out a few of my articles covering some pioneers in the Green fashion space:

Need a new pair of Jeans? Check out my Top 5 Sustainable Denim Brands featuring some you may have heard of (Patagonia), and some you may not (Everlane and Source Denim).

We’ve got your summer fashion covered with sunglasses, a fresh swimsuit, and some sweet new shoes, all made from recycled ocean plastic.

Looking to replace your mattress with something a bit more earth-friendly? Here are some questions to ask before making choosing what you sleep on. Natural Mattress Buyers Guide

Earth Education

Here are a few of our most surprising and most popular articles on earth-related topics for those hungry for some knowledge for earth day.
Ethical and Eco Friendly Diamonds – Do they even exist? Learn more about ‘natural’ diamonds, man-made or synthetic diamonds, and diamond simulants like Moissanite and Zirconia.

How long does it take to Biodegrade – Common everyday disposable items probably take longer than you think to disappear, especially in landfills.

What’s the deal with Bio-Plastic? Do those compostable plastic cups and utensils go in the recycling bin or compost bin?

Since the very first Earth Day back in 1970, both the holiday and our awareness of environment has grown. Everyone should care about our earth since it how we treat it will determine not only the quality of our lives, but the lives of our children and their children for generations to come. My hope is that the future of Earth Day becomes less about awareness and more a celebration of this wonderful place we call home. Happy Earth Day!

The post How to Celebrate Earth Day 2019 With Shopping, Giving, and Learning appeared first on The Chic Ecologist.

I was happy to see that this turned out to be more than just a concept and that you can actually purchase Adidas shoes made from recycled plastic. Even better, there have been an uprising of companies producing amazing products and fashion from plastics recycled from ocean trash.

Every year, at least one million sea birds and 100,000 sharks, turtles, dolphins and whales die from eating plastic.

Companies like Waste2Wear are producing company and school uniforms among other products from recycled plastics harvested from ocean trash. Materials like Bionic Yarn can now be found in well known designers from GStar Raw to Ralph Lauren. Designers like Stella McCartney are incorporating these new materials into their designs with sustainability in mind. And this could be a smart long-term play- with large-scale ocean cleanup programs coming to fruition, we may have a market flooded with post-consumer plastics collected from the ocean. These companies have perfected and in some cases pioneered fashion produced from fishing nets and ocean plastics.

Sea2See

More than 100 containers in 30 ports of Spain collect plastic waste, abandoned nets, fishing lines, ropes and various trash from fisherman to the tune of 1 ton of waste per day. From this, the waste is sorted, cleaned, and processed into stylish eyeglass and sunglass frames.

Beyond that, Sea2See is active in programs helping to clean up our oceans through education, action, charity, and political awareness.

Learn more and purchase from Sea2See >

Wear Your Waste

With a goal of creating a fully carbon neutral and fully recycled product, WearYourWaste uses a sustainable techno-fabric made with Econyl® – 100% regenerated polyamide fiber from post-consumer materials.

Although the swimwear isn’t 100% recycled (it’s blended with 22% Elastine), they are making use of a commercially available product and employing local techniques to reduce environmental footprints while making beautiful and durable swim pieces.

Learn more and purchase from Wear Your Waste >

Riz Boardshorts

Begining as a Kickstarter in 2009 by two friends, Riz’s aim was to create ‘The most beautiful and sustainable swim shorts in the world’. I believe they may have succeeded.

Every pair of our shorts are crafted from Eco-Friendly 100% recycled and recyclable fabric as well as being digitally printed in the UK using earth-friendly inks. They have also come up with a ‘Rizcycle’ scheme which allows you to return your old shorts in return for a discount off your next pair; focusing the entire product life into a perpetual 360-degree process.

Learn more and purchase from Riz Boardshorts >

Bureo

Nets found along the coast of Chile (the long and narrow country stretching along South America’s western edge has more than 3,725 miles or 6,000km of Pacific Ocean coastline) are collected to make street-surfing skateboard decks, surfboard fins, and some other fun gear.

Financial support is provided to local labor and participating communities, who are incentivized to keep plastic fishing nets out of our oceans. To date, their programs have recycled over 80,000KG of discarded materials.

Learn more and purchase from Bureo >

On average, 46,000 pieces of plastic are swirling in each square mile of our oceans.

Adidas x Parley

The project has expanded into a line of Adidas shoes, track suits, and shorts which you can purchase.

All items are made with Parley Ocean Plastic yarn which is made from recycled waste, intercepted from beaches and coastal communities before it reaches the ocean.

Learn more and purchase from Adidas >

Method

Not to be outdone by fashion companies, Method has incoperating recycled ocean trash plastic into their 2-in-1 dish hand soap product line.

By partnering with beach cleanup groups, they have created a small-scale ocean plastic recovery chain to showcase how design can be used to tackle environmental problems and prove that there are alternatives to using virgin materials—like PCR plastic currently used in most bottle manufacturing today.

The post Upcycling Plastic Ocean Trash into Fashion appeared first on The Chic Ecologist.

Make Everyday a Cleanup Day

1. Pick up that chip bag on the sidewalk, beach, lake or wherever you come across it.
I can’t help myself, but whenever I go for a walk on the beach, I pickup trash. It’s kind of sad that there is enough trash lying around that I can always do this, but it is calming and turns into a game. How many cigarette butts can I pick up? How many plastic bags resembling jellyfish did I save from becoming a sea turtle’s lunch?

Something that really stuck with me when I was a teenager was images of sea life dying from getting stuck in or eating those plastic six-pack rings. I resolved to pick them up whenever I saw them, wherever I was- whether it was on the sidewalk, on the beach, at a park, or after a party. If I had scissors available, I would cut them up before throwing them in a trashcan. It became a personal crusade to prevent any animals from suffering from any of the six-pack rings that I came across. To this day, I still do it- 25 years later.

Offer to Help Your Community

2. Mow the neighbors lawn, trim their tree, paint their fence.
Next time you are mowing your lawn, and you notice the neighbors yard is in need of some love, offer to help. I would recommend you ask first since you want to obtain permission (and know that it is something they want done). An extra 5 or 10 minutes of yard work can go a long way to a neighbor who may be struggling physically or financially. This is all about community- It may not be any of these things, but just checking in with a neighbor, others on your block, or the larger community will present all sorts of opportunities to be involved. Some inspiring few have even turned this concept into a full blown organization called Raising Men.

3. Large garden harvest? Donate that bounty to your local food bank.
In spring time, I tend to get a crazy amount of tomatoes from my garden, and some of our fruit trees (particularly a prolific producing fig tree) dump more delicious treats than our family can consume. I hate wasting food, especially knowing that people in my own community are struggling to find their next meal. Rather than letting them rot on the ground, I collect them every few days and drop them off at our local food bank. Shelters that serve food often will also accept perishable produce to supplement into their daily meals.

4. Go walk a dog, or cuddle with a cat. – Your local animal shelter or SPCA probably has it’s hands full could probably use volunteers, but just taking an animal out for a walk or a cuddle will do wonders for you both.

It’s well documented that contact with animals lowers blood pressure, decreases stress, and heightens our compassion, and they will be so happy to leave their cages and get some love.

Small Change for Small Changes

5. Link a charity to your Amazon account.
I do a lot of shopping on Amazon and they have a charitable donation program that doesn’t cost me a thing, but passes on a very small percentage (0.5% of the cost of the item) to the charity of my choice. It’s called Amazon Smile and takes a few seconds to pick out a charity, just make sure to adjust your amazon bookmark to smile.amazon.com for purchases to count.

The amount is very small (You would have to spend $10,000 on Amazon to make a $50 donation), but all of the pennies from all the people who sign up can make a big difference.

Keep in mind these acts shouldn’t take the place of your regular charitable giving, as charities and non-profits depend on your giving to provide the services we support them for- these are just are just a way to make giving an everyday thing!

You don’t need to think of large grand gestures to make the world a better place, often it’s the small everyday things that have a cumulative effect and bring the greatest joy. I’d love to hear about the things you do in your life to make the world a better place- please leave them in the comments below!

The post Everyday Charity – 5 Acts of Kindness Anyone Can Do appeared first on The Chic Ecologist.

This got me thinking though- what makes a pillow eco-friendly?
It’s all about the fill.

Even though I hadn’t heard of it until recently, Kapok fiber has been around for sometime providing loft in many things from automobile seats to nautical flotation devices until replaced by synthetic fibers. From the Kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra), native to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, northern South America, and tropical west Africa; it is also cultured commercially in southeast Asia, particularly in Java.

The Kapok tree produces several hundred 6 inch pods containing seeds surrounded by a fluffy, yellowish fiber that is light, very buoyant, resilient, and resistant to water.

Kapok fiber is not only a great natural material, it is also hypoallergenic, sustainable, biodegradable, nontoxic, and grown pesticide-free. The feel is somewhere between silk and cotton but stays lofted for years unlike down or foam and breathes superbly.

The pillow set I received (pictured here) was the Large Sleep Set which included a long cylindrical pillow accompanied by a smaller rounded pillow perfect for your head, or used between the knees to keep your hips aligned. This is how my wife was using it for her first trimester until switching to the full length body pillow in her second trimester. We love that the long pillow is is so versatile, allowing for neck and hip support when shaped around the back or knees, shoulders and neck when held from the front.

While compressing comfortably under the weight of the head or body, the pillow stays lofted and doesn’t ‘bottom out’ or become lumpy. It has contributed to many nights of very comfortable sleep, and often migrates into our living room for lounging on the couch or floor.

Tree Hugger Pillows offers a variety of pillow shapes and sizes, all handmade in the USA with natural Kapok filling.

The post Natural Kapok Fiber Body Pillows appeared first on The Chic Ecologist.

Since the definition can be very broad, we want to be as transparent with our choices as possible.
This is how we determine how eco-friendly and sustainable:

1. • Materials

Cotton can be very intensive to produce, and some alternative fibers are finding their way into denim. The various materials used have a direct environmental impact through farming practices and processes used in production of those fibers.

1. • Water Use

Denim can use a lot of water, nearly 10,000 liters of water in the production process for a single pair of jeans. Reduction or recycling of water use in the dying and washing process can dramatically lower impacts.

1. • Labor Production

Factories producing denim can pose a variety of health hazards, not to mention sweat-shop conditions. We want to see fair labor practices and transparent supply chains to ensure socially responsible production.

• Chemicals (including)
  • • Dyes

  Synthetic dyes can have toxic chemicals and often are dumped into nearby streams and waterways. Using natural dyes with wastewater treatment or closed systems lessen impacts from coloring agents.

  • • Finishes

  Sandblasting and distressing is often responsible for worker health issues. We like to see finishes that don’t use practices known to harm both workers and the environment.

Fashion is the third most polluting industry in the world, and the second largest consumer of water.

Here are some brands on the forefront of sustainability, pushing the industry in a cleaner, less destructive and more compassionate direction.

Everlane

Known for their ‘Radical Transparency,’ Everlane seeks to transform the clothing industry by focusing on factory ethics and transparency in costs. They have made strides in environmental sustainability with their denim line as well with new processes in denim production.

What we like:
A more fashion-forward fit and color that sits a bit higher on the waist, the slight give from the Japanese denim (and 2% elastane) is subtle but appreciated for the more substantial weight. The LEED-certified factory with its water and energy efficiencies and transparent practices is a favorite of ours. We also appreciate the apparent quality and value of Everlane products.

Materials: 100% Cotton – 11oz Raw Denim
Water Use: Closed system recycles 98% of all water used
Labor Production: Factory transparency
Chemicals-
Dyes: Closed system with dye waste recycled into concrete
Finish: No harmful finishes

Everlane Denim Responsible Factories

Conventional cotton consumes 11% of the world’s pesticides and 24% of the world’s insecticides while only making 2.4% of crop production

Source Denim

Born from a desire to make rugged, simple, responsible cotton, Source Denim creates simple quality jeans with attention to detail and sustainability. Working with Greenpeace, they developed a less resource-intensive way to produce beautiful denim in order to transform the denim industry.

What we like:
They guarantee their jeans will last you at least 10 years. If they get ripped or torn in the meantime, they will provide a denim repair kit or repair them in-house them for you. They also accept and recycle your jeans at the end of their long life.

Materials: Cotton (20% from Better Cotton Initiative)
Water Use: 60% water reduction as compared to traditional methods
Labor Production: Made in the US
Chemicals-
Dyes: Biodegradable and natural Biopolymer derived from food-waste, and pre-reduced synthetic indigo dyes.
Finish: SOURCE Jeans are raw, which means there are no effects, distressing, or sandblasting

More information on Source Denim sustainability

2,000 different chemicals, including formaldehyde, chlorine, lead, and mercury are used in textile processing. Of these, over 1,600 are used in dyeing processes, but only 16 are actually EPA-approved

Kuyichi Denim

Conceived in Peru, South America, the founders of Kuyichi – NGO Solidaridad were exploring the cotton industry in Peru and where shocked by the pollution and poverty they saw. Founded on the concept that organic cotton provided a better life for farmers, Kuyichi started their line with 100% organic denim.

What we like:
We like the innovation in new materials. From incorporating recycled denim and plastic bottles into new lines, to eco-friendly alternatives like Tencel, Kuyichi isn’t above breaking some stereotypes about denim. They also release a sustainability report every year which includes information about their suppliers, code of conduct and use of materials, revisiting their transparency openly every year.

Materials: Organic (GOTS certified) cotton, recycled denim, recycled PET, organic linen and Tencel
Water Use: Washed with laser and ozone techniques reducing water use
Labor Production: Transparent supply chain with fair labor practices in place
Chemicals-
Dyes: 100% natural indigo dyed
Finish: No sandblasting or abrasive blasting

Kuyichi Sustainability Report (2017)

Organic cotton is an improvement, but it is still land and water-use intensive needing between 20% to 50% more land to produce than conventionally grown cotton.

Reformation Jeans

A brand built with sustainability at the core of everything they do, this Los Angeles based clothier recently re-vamped their jeans line in order to join the eco-conscience denim revolution. By incorporating a wide range of fabrics and recycled materials, they are able to lessen environmental impacts traditionally found within the industry.

What we like:
Reformation takes in consideration the entire supply chain into their sustainability efforts, from 100% renewable energy sources to recycled office pens and paper. Not only have they put a priority in harm reduction, but they also look to offset impacts with carbon credits. Oh, and if you are an employee, they plant a tree in celebration of your birthday.
Hopefully they will soon make mens jeans! (hint hint)

Materials: Vintage, deadstock, Tencel, Viscose and recycled materials
Water Use: Greatly reduced by using alternative and recycled materials
Labor Production: 100% living wages in their Los Angeles, US factory
Chemicals-
Dyes: Various, depending on source
Finish: Ozone treatments and bio-based softeners

Each item is labeled based on it’s ‘Refscale’ or sustainability index. This is a more generalized overview of all of the garments Reformation produces.
Reformation sustainability methodology

Synthetic indigo dyes derived from coal tar and toxic chemicals are slow to decompose and are used in most jeans, including 90% of jeans from China.

Patagonia

A pioneer in the sustainable movement, Patagonia has been an eco-conscious company from the start and continues to run that way. They provide transparency on their supply chain and promote sustainability as a company value.

What we like:
A medium-weight fit with a slight stretch for comfort and durability. Water repellent finish that doesn’t feel waxy or synthetic. Good even coloring and a nice comfortable yet modern fit.

Materials: Organic cotton and CoolMax polyester blend
Water Use: Efficient energy and water usage (84% less water than traditional dying methods)
Labor Production: Fair Trade Certified Sewing
Chemicals-
Dyes: Archroma Advanced Denim Technology
Finish: No sandblast, bleach or stonewash finishes

Patagonia denim sustainability statement.

Denim is a dirty industry, but with companies such as these making strides in environmental and socially responsible practices, there is a glimmer of hope that the industry can be changed. Purchasing a single pair of sustainably sourced well-built jeans for the long term can easily replace 5 poorly made low-cost replacements. Now you can love your denim, and make it a bit easier on the planet.

The post 5 Eco Friendly Denim Brands Pushing Fashion and Sustainability appeared first on The Chic Ecologist.