What Makes Clothing Eco-Friendly?

Sustainable fashion. It’s a phrase used often, but what does it even mean? And how can clothing even be eco-friendly?

Let’s start with what isn’t eco-friendly. Every second, the equivalent of a rubbish truck load of clothes is burnt or buried in landfill. Further, it is an estimated that an astounding 80 to 150 billion clothes are produced every single year. Study after study shows that people in the developed world are buying more and more clothing but wearing it for less compared to previous generations. And this matters because clothing production takes a toll on the environment. The UN estimates that the fashion industry is responsible for nearly 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions

So, how do you know which clothing is eco-friendly?

The good news is that some fashion brands are taking steps to rethink how clothing is made and used to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry. Here are some things that make clothing more eco-friendly:

• Clothing made from natural fibers (e.g., organic cotton, linen, wool, hemp, bamboo) is biodegradable and will decompose quickly in nature without toxins or chemicals. 
• Clothing made from recycled materials reduces waste.
• Higher quality clothing that is durable and can be worn longer, meaning that fewer new clothing needs to be produced.
• Production processes reduce water and waste during manufacturing.
• Clothing is designed to be recycled and remade into new garments.

What are some of our favorite eco-friendly children’s fashion brands?

Mini Rodini – The brand utilizes "a high proportion of eco-friendly materials" and it prides itself on its work “to minimize our negative impact on people and planet - from paying living wages, to never burning unsold goods and upcycling leftover fabrics.” 

Shop secondhand Mini Rodini at Bounce Mkt.

Pact – Pact uses lower-impact materials, namely organic cotton. Pact also measures “the impact of every single Pact product, and offset it through reforestation, renewable energy, and community projects that sequester carbon from the atmosphere.”

Shop secondhand Pact at Bounce Mkt

Patagonia – In 2022, Patagonia made an unprecedented announcement that “Earth is now our only shareholder” as it changed its ownership to ensure that every dollar not reinvested back into Patagonia is distributed as dividends to protect the planet

Shop secondhand Patagonia at Bounce Mkt.

Primary – Primary prioritizes styles that are designed to be timeless so that its clothing can be passed from kid to kid and used over time. Further, all of their 100% organic cotton styles are GOTS certified.

Shop secondhand Primary at Bounce Mkt.

Stella McCartney Kids – The brand is mindful of its materials, opting for organic cotton, certified wool yarns for knitwear, and recycled nylon as examples. It also has policy to prevent deforestation in the supply chain.

Shop secondhand Stella McCartney Kids at Bounce Mkt.

Do you want to find more sustainable fashion brands? Check out Good on You for a comprehensive ranking of fashion brands.

Bounce Mkt is committed to sustainability. Learn more about the steps we take to reduce our environmental impact.