Cleaning Up a Dirty Business - 5 Eco Knitwear/Fashion Brands You Should Know

Feb. 27

The fashion industry is one of the main contributors to today’s CO2 emission problem and the hidden giant of crude oil consumers, way ahead of any other industry. Therefore it is inevitable for us as consumers to be cognizant of that fact first of all, but secondly to make conscious decisions which brands we support if we decide to buy a new item for our wardrobe.

Discover 5 examples of eco brands that are making a significant impact while producing beautiful knitwear in a mindful way.

Why is eco-knitwear better?

Prioritizing natural fibres over synthetics helps to reduce the demand for crude oil. Natural fibres are less harmful to the environment. Continue reading on the different fibres and advantages here.

Eco-friendly fashion follows standards in the material sourcing, production techniques and ethical production standards. The ultimate goal is to have a much less negative impact on the environment. Patagonia created a powerful video about the impact of the fashion industry and the role of us as consumers and the governments in it.

How to find eco knitwear brands?

Do your research! Until the future day, that the fashion industry must adhere to a global standard of ethical and sustainable regulations, it will be down to the end consumer, to inform, be conscious and mindful. That’s a reality we have to face.

There are a handful of resources that will support you in your education journey.

B Corp is a non-profit certification and legal commitment that companies can apply for to measure and display their entire social and environmental impact. It goes beyond the fashion industry and companies from almost any industry can apply for this. The biggest apparel company that is B Corp certified is Patagonia.

I am also linking my article about eco labels here, since they are a save way to determine if the animal fibre that was used has been sourced ethically and sustainably.

However, others have to be considered with a pinch of salt and can not be used as a stand alone source. As usual, validating your information with a second or third source is always recommended. At least it is a starting point.

Goodonyou is a ethical rating platform for fashion brands, operating on the base of UN sustainable development goal 12 to “ensure sustainable production and consumer patterns”. The fashion brands are rated from “we avoid” to “great” (1-5) for their business impact on people, planet and animals.

I think this platform is a good starting point, but I recommend to always keep an eye on the time stamp of the rating, since in some companies have developed on in the meantime and are reflecting a different story than 3 years ago.