Earth Day is April 22, and what better way to give a nod to Mother Nature than seeking out an eco-conscious brand that offers sustainable fashion options? We’re not talking greenwashing here (when a company says they’re environmentally conscious for marketing purposes but actually isn’t making any notable sustainability efforts), but organizations that are paying close attention to their manufacturing practices. We found four incredible brands that have put the wellness of our planet at the forefront of their business philosophy. —Jennifer Cox
Good For Sunday’s products are 100 per cent made on Canadian soil under socially conscious manufacturing practices. Their partner is a family-owned apparel manufacturer that mills, dyes, cuts, and sews every garment in Toronto, and both suppliers are committed to staying in Canada while others have moved overseas to exploit cheap labour. Their commitment to sustainability carries through to the materials they use for shipping, packaging, and business practices.
Did you know that over 64 per cent of clothing fibres contain microplastics, which takes 450 years to breakdown? That’s why ecologyst pays such close attention to the materials and fabrics they use. These include: ZQ-certified merino is accredited wool that is only awarded to farmers who meet the strict sustainable farming practices around social responsibility, animal welfare, and traceability; Donegal wool, which biodegrades in as little as three-to-four months and adds nitrogen to the earth’s soil as a slow-release fertilizer; and organic cotton that meets a plethora of rigorous ecological and social criteria including no use of genetically-modified seeds in production and no toxic chemicals and pesticides.
At Tentree they believe that big change starts small. Not only do they use the most sustainable products possible and create products in places that offer fair, safe working conditions, but they also plant 10 trees for every purchase. So far, they’ve planted 50 million trees and plan to have planted 1 billion trees by 2030. They partner with charitable organizations across the world to plant trees and rehabilitate natural ecosystems.
Everlane has a unique and ethical approach to its business. They spend months finding the best factories around the world, visiting them often and building strong personal relationships with owners, and each factory is given a compliance audit to evaluate factors like fair wages, reasonable hours, and environment. They do their part by building an ethical supply chain that creates high-quality, low-impact, long-lasting products, while carefully considering their materials and constantly working to reduce waste, chemicals, and plastics. Their timeless basics are designed to last, so making the right choice by the planet can be as simple as putting on a T-shirt.
Message Factory offers eco-responsible clothing designed and manufactured in Quebec. Its newly launched spring sports collection, tout-aller, is made from recycled bottles. The company also plans to release a hemp collection in the summer.
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