5 Eco-Friendly Fashion Brands to Shop this Earth Day

By: Madison Arend

When it comes to sustainability and protecting the environment, it’s no secret that fashion is not at the forefront of the movement. The fashion industry thrives off newness and consumption, constantly producing new trends that require many resources in a process that is often harmful to the planet. In recent years, brands responded to consumer demands for eco-friendly fashion and began implementing sustainable practices throughout the stages of their supply chain. In celebration of Earth Day, here are a few brands that are doing their part for a brighter future.

Sporty & Rich

Sporty & Rich is an athleisure brand focused on good health for all. While they understand producing new garments is not sustainable, Sporty & Rich do their best to offset the scope of their environmental impact in the following ways:

• Produce limited quantities to avoid leftover waste
• Work with environmental non-profit, 1% for the Planet, to contribute 1% of their annual revenue to charities dedicated to protecting the earth
• Plant one tree in the northwest region of Madagascar for every order placed
• Climate Neutral Certified since 2019
• Use 100% biodegradable packaging
• Products produced domestically in Los Angeles

Everlane

Everlane is an American clothing brand with a mission to achieve radical transparency and an environmentally responsible supply chain. Here are a few ways they’ve followed through:

• Transition 90% of apparel containing virgin plastic to recycled materials
• All cotton to be certified organic by 2023
• All of their denim is made at Saitex, a LEED-certified factory that recycles 98% of its water, uses renewable energy, and repurposes byproducts to create affordable homes
• 100% landfill-free
• A compliance audit score of 90 or above for every factory and donates Black Friday profits to improve the lives of the factory workers

Patagonia

Patagonia is an outdoor clothing and gear shop focused on durability to consume less energy, waste less water, and create less trash. Here are more ways they are continuing to help the environment:

• Kept 35 tons of plastic waste out of oceans by turning fishing nets into hat brims
• 100% of electricity needs in the US were met with renewable electricity
• 64% of fabrics for their current season are made with recycled materials
• Work with environmental non-profit, 1% for the Planet, to contribute 1% of sales to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment
• 100% of the virgin cotton in its clothes is organically grown

Ganni

Ganni is a Danish ready-to-wear fashion brand founded in 2000. Ganni understands the contradiction of sustainability and the fashion industry’s thrive on consumption. Therefore, it pledges to become the most responsible version of itself. Here’s how:

• Increased supply chain traceability and plan to be 100% transparent between stages 1-3 of the supply chain in 2021
• Its recent SS21 collection is made of 73% responsible materials which mean at least 50% of the composition is recycled or organic
• Partnered with RePack to avoid single-use plastic polybags for online orders
• Created the Ganni Lab Instagram page to share updates on their environmental responsibility

Reformation

Reformation is a Los Angeles-based clothing company founded in 2009. With the slogan, “Being naked is the #1 most sustainable option. We’re #2,” it is safe to say Reformation is focused on protecting the environment. Here are a few ways they are doing the most:

• Currently recycles 75% of all company garbage
• Electricity offsets sourced from 100% wind power suppliers
• 100% carbon-neutral since 2015
• Six California retail stores and HQ West are green business certified
• Use reusable totes and recycled paper hangers to lessen the demand for new materials