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At the beginning of 2021 Everlane, launched their ‘ Clean Denim’ collection, a range of three sustainable denim styles that are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton. Marking a first for the brand, the collection is a step towards its sustainable goal to use exclusively certified organic cotton by 2023. This initiative could be connected to the fact that as more conscious consumers demand sustainability, more and more brands are taking sustainable leaps to do everything from reducing their waste, stopping using plastic, responsibly sourcing materials, and offsetting carbon emissions to reduce their impact on the environment.
While some brands have been taking these steps from the start, others like the heritage brand Levi’s, are just starting to minimize their impact. But, it should be noted that both large and small brands are needed if an industry known for polluting rivers and deforestation is going to make impactful changes. So, while Everlane is making green headlines, here are several other green brands making clean denim.
Everlane
“Seventy percent of our fabrics contain cotton and we know it is important to use materials with a lower environmental impact—organic cotton systems promote healthier soil, and cleaner water, and are safer for farmers and their local communities.”
~ Katina Boutis, Sustainability Director
Everlane has always labeled itself as a sustainable brand since it debuted it’s first ‘radically transparent’. A few sustainability reports later the brand is upping its sustainable credentials with a range of organic denim pieces to add to its sustainable collections of ethically-made basics.
Environmental Impact: Everlane has been dedicated to building a transparent and environmentally responsible supply chain. With the impact on the planet, the brand is always looking to clean up its footprint. The sustainable denim collection is high-quality, low-impact, and long-lasting. The materials that the brand is working with are carefully considered, such as GOTS-certified organic cotton. As for the production, the main goal is to reduce waste, chemicals, and plastics that endanger the plant’s ecosystems
Shop: $78 – $88
Levi’s
“We haven’t always gotten it right. Becoming a more sustainable clothing brand is important to us, and it’s a work in progress. We’ve made some great strides in some areas and we’re pushing ourselves to do better in others, but we’re in it for the long haul.”
Levi’s is a heritage denim brand that is synonymous with jeans. Our parents and grandparents have worn Levi’s. And, those vintage styles are still prized, worn and purchased today.
Environmental Impact: Today, Levi’s has expanded its range of sustainable denim by switching its manufacturing and production processes to use less water, and energy and focus more on regenerated, organic, and recycled fabrics. They are also recycling and re-purposing old vintage denim to reduce their waste output and are recycling water during the dyeing process.
Shop: $49- $108
People Tree
People Tree is a brand founded with the vision and mission to offer affordable dresses for women. Since then, the brand has grown with its denim collection that promotes sustainable fashion, traditional craftsmanship, and responsible materials.
Environmental Impact: This is a sustainable brand with several certifications- GOTS Cotton, World Trade Organization, Organic Soil Association, and Guaranteed Fair Trade. That means that they’ve been vetted by 3rd-party organizations that farmers and the workers along their supply chain are given fair wages, and decent working conditions and receive an equitable deal. The impact on the local communities is especially focused on women. When it comes to
Shop: $102- $180
Reformation
Since vintage is making a huge comeback, Reformation has come up with the idea to combine vintage denim styles with sustainable fabrics and practices, that deliver an amazing offer. Sustainable denim comes at affordable prices and will last for many years.
Environmental Impact: Reformation offers a yearly sustainability report that focuses on key areas like minimizing their water use, using more eco-friendly materials like Tencel and recycled cotton, and offsetting carbon emissions by joining various nonprofit programs.
Shop: $98- $178
Nudie Jeans
Nudie Jeans was a brand founded on the idea to offer raw, untreated denim. That is why they offer free tear repairs for life. Additionally, the carefully chosen materials add to a sustainable approach, that includes recycling, fair trade, and GOTS-certified organic cotton.
Environmental Impact: Looking at Nudie’s sustainability report for 2020, the brand was able to make a few more sustainable strides despite the pandemic. They increased the monitoring of their supply chain to 97%, switched to only working with organic cotton, introduced a blanket made from recycled-post consumer Nudie jeans and recycled wool, mapped their CO2 emissions, and offset them to reduce their environmental impact.
Shop: $135- $230
ABLE
“Denim is infamously one of the dirtiest items to produce, but our vendor, Monty Mexico, recycles 100% of their water so that it is environmentally safe. They also use ozone in the production process to reduce water usage, making denim finishing more eco-friendly.”
ABLE is another brand that offers vintage-inspired denim. The variety of styles will satisfy different tastes and the unlimited free exchanges until you find the perfect pair is a big plus. As a sustainable brand, it is committed to creating long-term economic impact by employing female artisans.
Environmental Impact: Beginning this year ABLE has started using repurposed or recycled mailers for their products and items will be shipped in cloth dust bags instead of polyester (plastic) ones. Elsewhere the brand only uses leather which is a byproduct of the meat industry, recycled silver, and GOTS-certified organic cotton that is dyed in factories that purify water before putting it back into the environment.
Shop: $85- $150
Industry of all Nations
“By issuing constraints on dyeing and washing processes, not only can we ensure Clean Clothes on our skin, but cleaner rivers, oceans, soil, and air for everyone.“
Industry of all Nations has set at its core that the entire approach will be as organic and sustainable as possible. Including 100% natural dye, alpaca wool, and many other natural and organic ingredients, their denim collection is a true representation of what clean and sustainable means.
Environmental Impact: From the raw materials to the packaging this brand is all made in India. That allows them to cut carbon emissions from transportation and to work with a hyper-local type that is part of the IOAN Clean Clothes Project. That means that not only are natural fabrics used, but also natural, plant-based dyes to achieve the rich indigo or other vibrant shades for their sustainable denim pieces.
Shop $140- $160