According to Merriam-Webster, the official definition of eco-friendly is: “not environmentally harmful.” Everything from production, manufacturing, and packaging needs to be considered safe for the environment.
Sustainability is about the future. It means the item, practice, or action must generate environmental, economic, and social benefits, while not harming our natural resources and causing pollution.
Both eco-friendly and sustainability focus on social responsibility and environmental awareness, but most environmental experts like to use the word ‘sustainable’ instead of ‘eco-friendly’. Why? When it comes to products, sustainability is kind of higher standards because it includes eco-earthy products and activities.
Sustainability is more than a trend, it’s a merchandising strategy for success! Sustainable merchandising is the promotion of environmental and socially responsible products, practices, and brand values. Consumers are searching for more than just quality products and services these days. They have increasing demand for eco-friendly products or eco-friendly brands. It’s more important than ever that companies can create a strategy that will resonate with their customer base.
Incorporating sustainability into your brands doesn’t happen overnight. Here are a few ways you can add some sustainability to your brands:
1. Look for sustainable materials. Make sure that the materials you are using don’t hurt the environment or damage the communities that make them.
2. Reduce packaging and labelling. The more minimalistic the package and label, the less waste and pullution created, leading to a reduced product cost.
3. Utilize renewable energy. Using some form of renewable energy, like wind, solar, and hydro energy in your business to show your brand’s dedication to sustainability.
4. Pay employees fairly. Make sure the employees are getting a fair wage or even better a living wage. This is a critically important way to make a brand more sustainable.
Why do we need sustainable brands? The answer is that quality reduces waste. Sustainable brands focus on quality, using materials that are made to last as well as being kind to the environment. The clothing produced by fast fashion brands isn’t made to last – the aim is to get you to buy more, so why would the focus be on making quality sustainable fashion clothing? Sustainable fashion decreases waste by making clothing that is significantly better quality. Less waste leads to both less water pollution and fewer carbon emissions during production.
Looking for eco-friendly clothing to add to your product line or to have for yourself? Here are 5 sustainable clothing brands that offer eco-friendly products.
Brand 1: Alternative Apparel
Sustainability is always a goal of Alternative Apparel. They are committed to eco-friendly clothing materials for reducing its climate impact and limits the amount of chemicals, water and wastewater used in production. Also, this mindful clothing brand ensures that their workers receive fair pay and stay in safe working conditions.
Alternative Apparel delivers soft, stylish and sustainable men and women’s basics that are made in eco-fabrics, recycled polyester, and organic cotton for a sustainably fashionable future.
Brand 2: Bella+Canvas
Be Different. It’s a message that has encouraged Bella+Canvas to set themselves apart as true innovators in their industry. They focus on sustainable practices in both their production and corporate levels. 1). They use newer dye machines that require 7x less water than average clothing manufacturers, saving 24 million gallons a week, and filter and recycle the water they do use. 2). Solar powered energy is used to power their manufacturing facilities and they offer electric car charging stations to encourage employees to go green. 3). They recycle nearly everything that can’t be turned into a tee. They have optimized their cutting to reduce plastic use, and excess fabric waste. They also utilize eco-friendly packaging. 4). Their sweatshop-free facilities uphold the highest factory and workplace standards and are platinum certified through W.R.A.P.
Bella+Canvas is an affordable eco-friendly clothing brand. One of their most popular t-shirts Bella+Canvas 3001, made from 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton, feels soft and light, with just the right amount of stretch.
Brand 3: Parkland
Parkland designs and manufactures bags and backpacks with clean silhouettes and refined details, which are used in everyday life. Their mission is to inspire others to make sustainable choices by offering products that combine purpose, style, and quality at an accessible price. Parkland committed to ensuring their factories follow international standards regarding labor, wages and safety practices. The exterior fabric of all Parkland products is made from 100% recycled water bottles.
Brand 4: econscious
econscious creates apparel and accessories that embodies the best in sustainable design. They work only with reputable sources in America with a proven track record on the environment. econscious is a PETA-approved vegan clothing manufacturer that is leading the development of top-quality, sustainable clothing. All the workers producing econscious products are ensured safe working conditions. A portion of the proceeds from each sale of econscious apparel is donated to support non-profit environmental organizations.
econscious produces eco clothing, sustainable hats and tote bags that you can be proud to wear and support. Their sustainable apparel and accessories are made from 100% organic cotton and recycled polyester, which are durable, great looking, and comfortable.
Brand 5: Atlantis Headwear
Atlantis Headwear designs and manufactures sustainable headwear with specialized design and high quality. They committed their journey to a sustainable business model, focusing on inspiring to have a positive impact on the people and the planet. They guarantee a standard of quality and sustainability in their products by collaborating with Ritex and their OEKO-TEK certification.
You can always trust Atlantis with their experience, design, and innovation in their products. They offer products with materials including but not limited to organic cotton, recycled polyester and more.
Add your brand or logo to these eco-friendly products with our imprinting services at NYFifth! We strive for customer satisfaction, as well as offer bulk discounts and fast turn around. For a free price proposal and mock-up, talk to a friendly customer representative today at (877) 695-9722 or email us your inquiry at [email protected].