Sustainable clothing tips

Shopping in a more sustainable way can make big environmental and social impacts. The fashion industry is the second largest polluter in the world. Clothing production creates massive amounts of waste. So does throwing away clothing, shoes, and textiles when they are no longer needed or wanted.

Environmental and social certifications

Many environmental and ethical certifications and networks exist in the fashion and textile industry. This makes it easy for consumers to know which clothing, footwear, and textile brands are environmentally and socially conscious.
Look out for brands with these certifications.

Environmental certifications

• Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)
• Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) and Global Recycled Standard (GRS)
• Organic Content Standard (OCS)
• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
• Regenerative Organic Certified - ROC
• Global Traceable Down Standard (Global TDS) and Responsible Down Standard (RDS)
• Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)
• Content Claim Standard (CCS)
• Solidaridad
• Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC)
• BLUESIGN
• Canopy
• Cradle to Cradle (C2C)
• ECOCERT (Ecological and Recycled Textiles)
• Forest Stewardship Council
• Leather Working Group (LWG)
• OEKO-TEX
• USDA Organic
• PETA

Social certifications - worker’s rights and human rights

• Cotton made in Africa (CmiA)
• Ethical Clothing Australia (ECA)
• Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI)
• Social Accountability International (SAI)
• Social Accountability Accreditation Services (SAAS)
• Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP)
• Fair Trade Certified
• Fair Trade Federation (FTF)
• Fair Wear Foundation (FWF)
• Fair Trade International
• World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO)

Tips to shop wisely

• Mend clothing and repair shoes you already own.
• Buy less.
• Buy high-quality items that will not wear quickly.
• Buy classic styles that will outlast trends.
• Shop secondhand.
• Buy items from brands with environmental certifications.