What Makes an Apparel Brand Sustainable?

Chances of finding a truly sustainable apparel brand is quite difficult, if not impossible. In a research paper released by Mintel, 79 percent of people find it difficult to determine if an apparel brand is truly sustainable. So, the question is, what really makes an apparel brand sustainable?

It was John Elkington who said that sustainability is made up of three pillars: Economy, Environment, and Society. A sustainable brand should equally consider these three principles, and not just focus on the economic aspect of their business. 

With these last two principles, we can determine whether an apparel brand is sustainable or not.

Environmentally Responsible

How would we exactly know if the brand is environmentally responsible? Although there aren’t exact measures, there are certain factors an environmentally responsible brand have:

Sustainable Materials

The kind of materials the brand uses are a clear giveaway whether they are environment-friendly or not. Sustainable materials are high quality materials, therefore it can last longer and can uphold recycling and reusing. You can easily see the materials and fabrics they used on the clothing’s label. 

Locally Sourced and Manufactured Materials

Sourcing materials and manufacturing clothing from far away countries is not truly environmentally responsible. The fashion industry contributes a massive 10 percent of annual carbon emissions worldwide from exporting and importing textiles and apparel. This is more than airline transportation and maritime shipping produce combined.

A truly sustainable apparel brand sources and manufactures its products locally, preferably in the same town or in the same country. It’s also transparent with its manufacturing methods and who their suppliers are.

Sustainability Certification

There are a lot of organisations that grant certifications to brands proven to be on par with ethical and environmental standards. Since most of these certifications are granted to ethical manufacturing companies, you can search the brand’s manufacturers, and check whether they’re green-certified. If they don’t specify their suppliers and manufacturers, chances are they don’t have sustainable methods.

Socially Responsible

A sustainable apparel brand should also have equal consideration of its social responsibility. Socially responsible companies act in the best interest of society, and try to lessen their negative impact. Companies can promote, donate to, or volunteer for organisations supporting social and environmental causes. However, that doesn’t mean they’re truly socially responsible. More often than not, it is a form of greenwashing.

Here are some aspects socially responsible apparel brands have:

Company Diversity

You don’t have to look far. Simply look at the employees. Does the brand or company have a diverse workforce, especially in its corporate setting? Having a diverse set of employees means that the company is respectful and inclusive of all kinds of people, no matter the gender, race, or religion.

Ethical Labor Practice

Having an ethical labor practice doesn’t just mean having a healthy manufacturing condition. It also means that the company has policies that protect ALL of its employees. This means that every employee should be earning a fair wage and is protected from any mistreatment within the company.