Adidas is the second largest activewear brand in the world after competitor Nike. But how ethical is Adidas when it comes to sustainability, labour rights, and animal welfare? This article is based on Adidas’ “Not Good Enough” rating published in November 2023. It may not reflect claims the brand has made since then. Our ratings analysts are constantly rerating the thousands of brands you can check on our directory.

How does Adidas rate on Good On You in 2024?

The fashion industry is always changing, and our ratings are evolving with it. We regularly update our methodology to stay on top of emerging issues, ensuring our ratings are relevant, useful, and timely, so that you can always make the best choices for yourself.

Adidas has also evolved over the years. From humble beginnings in 1949 in Bavaria, Germany, the sportswear giant (founded by Adolf Dassler, the brother of Puma founder Rudolf Dassler) has grown into the second-largest activewear brand in the world after Nike. It is known and loved for its iconic Stan Smith sneakers, logo sweatshirts, tees, and sportswear, worn by athletes all over the world.

How does Adidas rate on Good On You in 2024? How ethical is Adidas?

Environmental impact

One change in our methodology has been to allocate extra points for the setting of science-based carbon emission reduction targets, and while Adidas has set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated from its own operations and supply chain, it’s not on track to meet this target.

Science-based targets currently represent the highest standard when setting a greenhouse gas emissions target. To set them, Adidas and other brands will have allocated a large amount of resources, data collection, and time to provide the relevant information to demonstrate said target is aligned with a 1.5 or 2 degree global temperature reduction pathway. However, it is also important for brands to demonstrate how they intend to meet the targets and their current tangible progress.

Speaking of targets, Adidas has set a target to eliminate hazardous chemicals by 2025 and claims it’s on track. Adidas also scored a B for its Carbon Disclosure Project climate and water questionnaires. Brands that we have rated “Good” this year for the environment tend to be scoring A or A-, so there’s a clear discrepancy here, and Adidas needs to put in the work to raise its score.

While the brand does take some (limited) steps to prevent deforestation by avoiding raw materials listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, it falls short of publishing its own policies, particularly on materials linked to deforestation, such as leather. We also found no evidence Adidas has policies to protect biodiversity in its supply chain—another key issue in our methodology.

We found no evidence Adidas has policies to protect biodiversity in its supply chain—a key issue in our methodology.

Adidas was also penalised for misleading consumers over environmental claims in 2021. ​​According to the French Jury de Déontologie Publicitaire (JDP), Adidas’ “Stan Smith Forever. 100% iconic, 50% recycled” campaign broke advertising rules and misled consumers. The brand didn’t inform consumers of the total proportion of the shoe that is recycled and was misleading in its use of the “End plastic waste” logo. The JDP also noted that the claim of “50% recycled” gives shoppers the impression that 50% of the total material used in the trainer is made of recycled materials, which isn’t true. The message is ultimately confusing to consumers and makes it hard to determine what’s legit and what’s not. A clear case of greenwashing.

As a result, Adidas’ environmental rating has stayed “It’s a Start”. The brand’s use of some lower-impact materials—including recycled materials—and its research with industry bodies on the impact of microplastics are not enough to compensate for the lost points discussed above.

Labour conditions

Adidas’s labour rating has unfortunately dropped from “It’s a Start” to “Not Good Enough” in its most recent rerate, indicating it’s falling behind on critical industry issues. People are the backbone of the fashion industry, and brands need to take tangible actions to protect workers. Our methodology rewards brands that provide fair and safe working conditions over the brands that simply audit suppliers.

Adidas received a score of 51-60% in the Fashion Transparency Index, which is okay, but lower than its previous score of 61-70%. Adidas’ social auditing program has been accredited by the FLA Workplace Code of Conduct including all of the final stage of production. The brand also disclosed policies to protect workers in its supply chain from the impacts of COVID-19 during the height of the pandemic.

Worryingly, the area where Adidas has still a long way to go is ensuring workers in its supply chain are paid a living wage. The Foul Play report by the Clean Clothes Campaign and Collectif Ethique sur l’Etiquette highlight the difference between the ever-increasing amount of money paid for sponsorships to sports stars and other marketing expenses, compared to the reduction of the share of the final price of your sports gear paid to workers in the supply chain. Adidas does have a project to improve wages in a part of its supply chain, and has made a public commitment to improve wages in its supply chain, however, we found no evidence the brand ensures payment of a living wage in most of its supply chain.

Adidas still has a long way to go in ensuring workers throughout its supply chain are paid a living wage.

Since 2020, we’ve been noting allegations of brands’ involvement in the human rights abuses taking place against Uighur people in China’s Xinjiang Province. We take them into account in our ratings and have penalised brands named in reports by various human rights and news organisations. While Adidas has made moves away from production in the region, and pledged to boycott cotton from Xinjiang, there’s a lot more to the issue. We know this is an important question for many of you and we’ll keep an eye on Adidas and other brands as the situation evolves. The brand was also linked to human rights violations in Cambodia in 2020, though in November 2023, the brand’s supplier in the country agreed to reinstate and backpay workers who had previously been sacked for forming a union and campaigning for better working conditions.

Animal welfare

Adidas’ animal rating remains “Not Good Enough”. It now has a formal animal welfare policy (an improvement from its last rating) aligned with Five Freedoms, but has no clear mechanisms to implement it. It does not use fur, exotic animal hair, or angora, but it is still using down. Adidas also still uses exotic animal skin and leather, including kangaroo leather—an emerging animal welfare issue, which has led the brand to be condemned by some activists in the US as a new bill was introduced in 2021 to outlaw the sale of kangaroo body parts in the country (which ultimately did not make it through congress to be enacted).

Adidas states that it has a policy to source wool from non-mulesed sheep but does not provide evidence to verify its claims. Although the brand traces some animal-derived materials to the first production stage, that doesn’t compensate for its ongoing use of controversial materials in its products.

Overall rating: ‘Not Good Enough’

So, how ethical is Adidas in 2024? Adidas’ overall rating is “Not Good Enough”.

While Adidas has shown that it is making progress in terms of sustainability and labour rights, at the end of the day the brand is still very much a part of the fast fashion industry. Producing huge quantities of garments (most of which are not made from preferred materials) has disastrous effects not only on the environment, but also on workers who often have to work long hours for very little pay in order to reach production targets.

Adidas still has a way to go before it can be considered a responsible brand. It could start by ensuring its suppliers are paying living wages to workers. With €22.5 billion net sales in 2022, this should not be a problem.

It’s worth noting that of the thousands of brands that Good On You has rated, only a handful of large brands have achieved an overall rating of “Good”. For those who have previously purchased Adidas based on our ratings, note that it still remains one of the higher-scoring large brands and is in the top 10%—particularly on environmental issues—though we acknowledge it still has a long way to go.

So this score doesn’t mean you should get rid of your Adidas clothes and kicks. On the contrary, cherish what you already own: as we know, keeping our clothes for longer is one of the most sustainable things we can do.

Note that Good On You ratings consider hundreds of issues and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.

See the rating.

If you want to shop more in line with your values, Good On You recommends you support brands that embrace a slow fashion model. We’ve rounded up a few of our favourite similar brands to Adidas.

Good swaps

Here’s our list of “Good” and “Great” alternatives to Adidas.

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What is viscose?

Viscose is often touted as a more sustainable alternative to cotton or polyester and is popular in the fashion industry as a cheaper and more durable alternative to silk. It’s often used to create those drapey summer dresses, skirts, soft blouses, and synthetic velvet. But viscose isn’t just found in our clothes—it’s also used in the manufacturing of upholstery, bedding, and carpets.

A brief history of viscose

Viscose rayon has a truly European story. French scientist and industrialist Hilaire de Chardonnet (1839-1924) is credited with inventing the first commercial viscose fibre, as a cheaper alternative to silk. But the fabric was so flammable it was quickly taken off the market until a safer process was developed by the German Bemberg Company. In 1892, British scientists Charles Frederick Cross, Edward John Bevan, and Clayton Beadle discovered and patented the production process, and by 1905 the first commercial viscose rayon was on the market.

How is viscose made?

Viscose is derived from the cellulose (or, wood pulp) from fast growing, regenerative trees such as eucalyptus, beech, and pine. This cellulose material is dissolved in a chemical solution to produce a pulpy viscous substance, which is then spun into fibres that can then be made into threads.

Another variation of viscose is bamboo viscose, which is  made in the same way using cellulose derived from the bamboo plant.

So, is viscose more sustainable?

As a plant-based fibre, viscose is not inherently toxic or polluting. However, because of the growing fast fashion industry, much of the viscose on the market today is manufactured cheaply using energy, water, and chemically intensive processes that have devastating impacts on workers, local communities, and the environment.

There are two main areas of concern when it comes to the production of viscose: the source of the wood pulp, and how it is turned into a usable fabric.

The wood pulp that viscose is made from is manufactured by treating it with chemicals, which is then filtered and spun into a fine thread. This is a highly polluting process and releases many toxic chemicals into the air and waterways surrounding production plants. Carbon disulphide, one of the chemicals used, is another toxic ingredient which has been linked to higher levels of coronary heart disease, birth defects, skin conditions, and cancer, not just in textile workers, but also in those who live near viscose factories.

In 2017, an investigation was undertaken by the Changing Markets Foundation that linked fashion brands such as Zara, H&M, and Marks & Spencer to highly polluting viscose factories in China, India, and Indonesia. Concerns have also been raised regarding the devastating impact of wood pulp production on forests, people, and vulnerable animal populations.

What’s more, the production of viscose is contributing to the rapid depletion of the world’s forests, which are being cleared to make way for pulpwood plantations. It is estimated that “more than one third of wood fibre [or, wood pulp] used in clothes is still at high risk of coming from Ancient and Endangered Forests”. Not only does this lead to habitat destruction—creating a significant threat to endangered species—but it also often involves human rights abuses and land grabbing from Indigenous communities. Organisations like Canopy work to make sure that viscose is not from high-risk areas.

Though the viscose production process is multifaceted, retailers play a significant role in the problem. Fast-fashion giants are placing pressure on manufacturers to produce and distribute clothes at ever increasing speeds and cheaper costs. This encourages unsustainable social and environmental practices. Big brands have the money and power to step up and encourage more responsible manufacturing, but we are yet to see enough meaningful action. Disappointingly, according to a report by the Changing Markets Foundation, “While viscose suppliers have made considerable strides to eliminate endangered forest fibres from their feedstocks over the years, some 75% of the world’s leading brands have made few to no commitments to sourcing more sustainable viscose.”

Are there better options?

As technology progresses, new materials and processes are created. ECOVERO, produced by Lenzing, is a viscose fibre made using more sustainable wood from controlled sources that are certified in Europe by either the Forest Stewardship Council or the Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes. When compared with conventional viscose production, ECOVERO manufacture uses 50% less water and has half the carbon emissions. And nearly all of the chemicals used during the fibre’s production are recovered and reused.

TENCEL Lyocell, Modal, and upcycled viscose are more ethical and sustainable alternatives to viscose. They aren’t the only options—just the most widely available at present. As technology improves and there is a demand for more versatile lower-impact fabrics, innovations are emerging all the time. Some materials to keep an eye out for are bamboo Lyocell, REFIBRA, and Eastman Naia (specifically Naia Renew, made from a combination of responsibly sourced wood pulp and acetic acid derived from recycled materials), both of which have been well-rated in our methodology.

Some bonus fibres are Infinna and Circulose—man-made cellulosic fibres that are made using cellulose derived from textile waste materials. There’s also Orange Fiber—a version of TENCEL Lyocell made using cellulose derived from waste orange peel. Note that these newer fibres may not yet be widely commercially available, and may not have been analysed by our methodology, so we cannot guarantee their eco-credentials at this time. However, they are promising developments in viscose and rayon alternatives and are worth looking into over conventional viscose.

According to Textile Exchange, in 2022, just 0.5% of all man-made cellulosic fibres (MMCFs) produced were created using recycled materials. But the market is seeing increased investment in this area, so with the support of brands we can expect more recycled options to become available in the coming years.

Check out the “Good” and “Great” brands using alternatives to viscose

What else can we do?

Purchase garments made from plant-based, organic, or recycled fibres, such as organic cotton, hemp, and linen, and ensure lower-impact dyes are used. Keep in mind that some “natural” materials such as conventional cotton and wool have their own ethical issues regarding environmental sustainability, labour rights, and animal welfare.

Finally, buy less and buy second hand. Choosing well and buying fewer things is a great way to reduce your impact on the environment. When you do want to add to your wardrobe, buying pre-loved clothes is a great way to build your own unique style that is better for the environment and your bank account.

Learn more about preferred materials

The post Material Guide: What Is Viscose and Is It Sustainable? appeared first on Good On You.

Global fast fashion chain H&M has made some progress on the sustainability front in recent years, but is it doing enough? This article is based on the H&M rating published in November 2023 and may not reflect claims the brand has made since then. Our ratings analysts are constantly rerating the thousands of brands you can check on our directory.

H&M isn’t doing enough across the board

Swedish shopping centre staple H&M is one of the world’s largest and most recognisable fast fashion brands, operating in 74 countries. H&M has long been the target of widespread concern about the impact of fast fashion on the environment and the workers who make our clothes.

The brand claims to be moving towards more sustainable practices, but our analysts’ latest rating review found it’s not doing enough to address its fast fashion business model.

So, just how sustainable and ethical is H&M? Spoiler alert: “Not Good Enough.” Based on our latest rating review, the brand has fallen even further from our middling “It’s a Start” to our second-lowest rating.

While we are constantly rerating brands and it’s expected for their ratings to rise and fall, this drop for H&M is significant for a few reasons: despite all the brand’s claims about its focus on circular innovation, there’s no getting around the fact that H&M hasn’t taken meaningful steps to address its wasteful and exploitative fast fashion business model.

One of the biggest issues right now in fashion is the runaway growth of large fast fashion brands making clothes that are then often wasted. Another factor is the targeted updates we’ve made to our ratings methodology, which is based solely on publicly available information. While we’ve always rated fast fashion brands poorly, due to the facts and the persistent greenwashing, Good On You is now more stringent than ever for fast fashion brands to account for the impacts of their destructive business models.

The methodology also ensures that brands don’t get much credit when they adopt minor sustainability initiatives—such as buy-back schemes—that bring little positive change. It also considers the resources available to large brands (as defined by the European Commission), which have the greatest resources and finances to influence vast changes to the industry.

“We only use publicly available data in brand ratings because it promotes greater transparency and accountability,” says Kristian Hardiman, head of ratings at Good on You. “As one of the largest and most profitable brands, H&M has a responsibility to take action. But as with many fast fashion brands, its take-make-waste business model is still not aligned with the kind of transformation needed to make the fashion industry fairer for people and the planet.”

One step forward

H&M has set a science-based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated from its own operations and supply chain by 2030, but there is no evidence it is on track to meet its target. The retailer uses some lower-impact materials, and it has also published a biodiversity protection policy that applies to some of its supply chain.

While these pledges indicate some promising improvements if they are delivered upon, 2030 is still some time away. On top of that, the fast fashion business model that H&M operates under is inherently unsustainable, so until that changes, the brand’s impact on the planet will always be questionable.

One step back

While the company has made small progress for the environment, things aren’t looking so good on the labour rights front. Following the Rana Plaza disaster in 2013, H&M joined the Bangladesh Fire Safety Accord, successfully working with other brands and labour unions to address health and safety issues in 100s of factories. But they also promised to pay 850,000 workers a living wage by 2018, a promise they spectacularly failed to meet.

Also in 2018, factories that supply H&M were named in reports by Global Labour Justice detailing abuse of female garment workers, and more recently in 2023, workers’ rights abuses from the brand’s suppliers in Myanmar came to light. Clearly, there is still a long way to go.

So how does H&M rate on each of the three key areas of environmental impact, labour conditions, and animal welfare?

Environmental impact

H&M has taken some steps to reduce its environmental impact and has set some positive targets in its Sustainability Report. It uses renewable energy for part of its supply chain and has a policy to prevent deforestation of ancient and endangered forests. And while it has set a science-based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated from its own operations and supply chain, there is no evidence it is on track to meet its target.

The brand was among the first to stock a “Conscious” sustainable fashion collection in its stores, and it offers a recycling program where you can return clothes from any brand in-store, but this is not at all sufficient to offset the unsustainable business model it’s operating.

H&M incorporates some lower-impact materials like organic cotton and recycled polyester in some products, but the majority of the materials it uses are not eco-friendly. For these reasons, we give H&M a score of “Not Good Enough” for the environment—downgraded from “It’s a Start” in our November 2023 review.

Labour conditions

While H&M made some improvements on its labour policies in recent years, it has fallen from “It’s a Start” to “Not Good Enough” in our most recent review because the company consistently finds itself embroiled in labour scandals.

H&M received a score of 71% in the Fashion Transparency Index, and it publishes detailed information about its supplier policies, audits, and remediation processes. It also publishes a detailed list of suppliers in the final stage of production, as well as information about forced labour, gender equality, or freedom of association.

While the brand does have a project to improve wages, there is no evidence it ensures payment of a living wage across its entire supply chain, despite promises to the contrary. On another note, almost none of H&M’s supply chain is certified by labour standards which ensure worker health and safety, living wages, or other labour rights. That means not enough of its facilities have collective bargaining or the right for workers to make a complaint. During the pandemic, we learned that H&M disclosed some policies to protect suppliers and workers in its supply chain from the impacts of COVID-19, but implementation was uncertain. Overall, its workers are not treated ethically enough for it to receive a higher score here.

Animal welfare

H&M is heading in the right direction for animals, but it needs to do more, which is why we’ve rated it “Not Good Enough” for animal welfare. The positive news is that H&M does have an animal welfare policy aligned with Five Freedoms, and it traces some animal products to the first stage of production. It also uses wool from non-mulesed sheep, down and feathers accredited by the Responsible Down Standard, and it banned the use of fur, angora, and exotic animal skins several years ago.

It does, however, use leather and exotic animal hair. The brand claims that all of its animal fibres will be certified to a credible standard by 2025.

Overall rating: “Not Good Enough”

Despite the fact that H&M is setting sustainability targets and has adopted some positive practices and policies across the board, it’s still one of the world’s biggest producers of fashion products designed to be worn just a few times and then discarded.

As we’ve discussed, H&M is at the heart of the unsustainable fast fashion industry. Its promotion of “disposable” fashion and constant rotations of new trends and products has a huge environmental impact. An increasing amount of cheap clothing ends up in landfill after a few wears due to these reasons.

The clothing manufacturing process regularly involves the use of toxic dyes, solvents, and pesticides, is responsible for significant carbon emissions, and uses much of the world’s fresh water and land resources. While this is an industry-wide problem, there are more clothes pumped through the system by the fast fashion brands like H&M.

So, while those cheap price tags may be tempting, they are often a good indicator of the poor quality of the materials. They also highlight that the people making those clothes are working in conditions that, while improving in some cases, are not where they should be.

See the rating. Also note that Good On You ratings consider hundreds of issues and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.

H&M offers a “Conscious” collection, but we recommend investing your hard-earned dollars in clothes that are not only more ethical and sustainable, but are also timeless in style, will last you a lifetime, and are made by brands that are designed to leave a light footprint on the earth from the very beginning. Here are some brands rated “Good” or “Great” by us.

Good swaps

“Good” and “Great” alternatives to H&M

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Go-to affordable and trendy brand American Eagle may be popular, but its lack of action for people, the planet, and animals has resulted in a score of “Not Good Enough”. This article is based on the American Eagle rating published in September 2023 and may not reflect claims the brand has made since then. Our ratings analysts are constantly rerating the thousands of brands you can check on our directory.

Not quite soaring on sustainability

American Eagle is a go-to destination for affordable and on-trend jeans and casual wear for young people with over 1000 stores worldwide. We take a look at how the brand rates in terms of environmental impact, labour conditions, and animal welfare. We ask—how ethical is American Eagle?

Environmental impact

On the surface, American Eagle seems to be dedicated to sustainability. In practice, however, it appears to be doing very little to reduce its environmental impact. While it has set a science-based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated from its own operations and supply chain, there is no evidence it is on track to meet its target.

The brand has taken no meaningful action to reduce water use, and there’s no evidence it’s taking actions to protect biodiversity in its supply chain. This is problematic, not just for the environment, but for workers and animals as well. American Eagle does use some lower-impact materials including recycled materials, but could certainly improve in that area too.

American Eagle outlines a number of sustainability strategies including the recycling of paper in its corporate offices, and the establishment of permanent I:CO recycling centres in over 823 stores across North America. As positive as these initiatives are, there is still a long way for American Eagle to go before it can consider itself more sustainable. For these reasons we have given the brand a score of “Not Good Enough” for the planet.

Labour conditions

American Eagle is really lagging behind for people, too, with a score of “Not Good Enough”. There is no evidence that it provides its workers with a crucial living wage. It also sources from countries with high or extreme risk of labour abuse, however it has attempted to address these risks by signing the Bangladesh Building and Fire Safety Accord, and participating in the Business for Social Responsibility network.

The brand received a score of 21-30% in the 2023 Fashion Transparency Index, which, while an improvement on the prior year, is still lower than we would like. None of its supply chain is certified by labour standards which ensure worker health and safety, living wages, or other labour rights. And during the height of the pandemic, it didn’t disclose any policies or safeguards to protect workers in its supply chain from the impacts of COVID-19. It also doesn’t appear to support diversity or inclusion in its supply chain.

To make matters worse, in the past American Eagle has been linked to a number of scandals, including an incident in 2015 involving the dangerous use of sandblasting in a Chinese factory, as well as a leaked video in 2011 of a Chinese factory used by a number of American retailers including American Eagle that showed workers being subjected to poor conditions. In response to the sandblasting incident, American Eagle banned the presence of sandblasting equipment in any facility producing its clothing.

Animal welfare

American Eagle is “Not Good Enough” for the animals, either. It has a general statement about minimising animal suffering but not a formal animal welfare policy. It states that it sources wool from non-mulesed sheep, which is good, but it doesn’t provide any evidence to verify its claims. Responsible Down Standard certifies the down it uses, but it uses leather and exotic animal hair without stating its sources. And while it doesn’t use angora, fur, or exotic animal skin, and it traces some animal-derived materials to the first production stage, there’s still work to be done for the wellbeing of our animal friends here.

Overall rating: ‘Not Good Enough’

While its greenhouse gas reduction target and recycling programs are a good first step, ultimately American Eagle appears more interested in talking the talk rather than walking the walk. Being more transparent about its environmental policies and labour conditions, paying a living wage to its workers, and using more lower-impact materials in its products would be great places to start. At the end of the day, American Eagle follows a fast fashion model, promoting quantity over quality, which is inherently unsustainable, meaning it rates “Not Good Enough” overall.

Note that Good On You ratings consider hundreds of issues and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.

See the rating.

Luckily there are more ethical and sustainable brands out there with higher quality clothes for you to rock.

Good swaps

“Good” and “Great” alternatives to American Eagle

The post How Ethical Is American Eagle? appeared first on Good On You.

Animal welfare may not be the first thing you consider when it comes to fashion. But if you love our furry, feathery, and scaly friends as much as we do, then there are a few things you should know before you shop.

Matching your outfit to your values

Picture this: you’re standing in front of the mirror in your silk nightie and lambskin ugg boots, putting together an outfit for the day ahead. Do you wear the beige suede skirt with the grey cashmere sweater? With the black leather ankle boots and matching leather tote? Is it cold enough for a coat? Do you pick the trench with the fur trim or the woollen pea coat?

While it’s no secret these materials come off the backs of sentient beings, this fact can be lost in clever marketing devices and the appeal of the finished product. At Good On You, we rate brands based on their treatment of animals as one of the three key pillars of people, the planet, and animals. We identify the use of fur, angora, down feather, shearling, Karakul, and exotic animal skin and hair. We also consider wool use, including “mulesing” and whether and how the brand uses leather. A brand can only achieve a “Great” score for animals if it is entirely vegan.

Let’s take a look at some of the critical issues concerning animal welfare in the fashion industry so you can match your outfit to your values. And while this article focuses on animal welfare, be sure to check out each material’s guide to see its impact on the planet and people, too, so you can make your own informed decision when you shop.

Leather

Leather has long been a staple in our wardrobes. However, we often overlook the animals whose skins become our jackets and shoes. Every year large numbers of animals, including cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, crocodiles, snakes, stingrays, seals, emus, kangaroos, horses and more, are killed for their skins. Many of these animals are factory farmed, which can involve extreme crowding and confinement, deprivation, and painful treatment at the hands of workers. Not to mention the impact working in the animal supply chain has on humans, too.

The majority of the world’s leather comes from India and China, both of which lack animal welfare legislation. However, even in nations such as Australia, animals raised for leather do not have the same legal protection as pets, meaning they are often subject to painful procedures and even abuse. Contrary to popular belief, leather is a profitable resource, not simply a by-product of the meat industry.

What are some more ethical alternatives?

• Buy second hand or recycled leather. Hit up your nearest charity shop or vintage markets to find some sweet second hand threads. Not only is vintage leather likely to be of higher quality than fast fashion leather products, buying second hand is a great way to minimise your carbon footprint.
• Buy vegan leather. Just keep in mind that not all vegan leather is created equally. Much vegan leather, or “pleather”, is made from Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) plastic, which Greenpeace lists as one of the most environmentally damaging plastics. PU, while still plastic-based, has a lower environmental footprint than some animal leathers. Plant-based materials like Pinatex (made from pineapple leaf fibres), while still in the early stages of development, could be game-changers when it comes to lower-impact vegan leather alternatives. For now, check out these more ethical and sustainable vegan fashion brands.

Here’s our in-depth guide on what to look out for when deciding whether to purchase leather products

Wool

Wool is considered a winter wardrobe staple, but it isn’t always produced under good conditions. There are several concerns regarding animal welfare in the wool industry, including pain and discomfort caused to the sheep by their handling and living conditions. PETA has revealed instances of mistreatment of sheep in Australia (which produces much of the world’s merino wool). Many Australian sheep undergo a painful and largely ineffective procedure called mulesing, in which flesh is cut from the animal’s buttocks, often without anaesthetic. This procedure is used to prevent flystrike, which is a common problem in the hot Australian climate.

What are some more alternatives?

• Buy second hand wool. There’s no shortage of cute vintage sweaters and woollen coats in charity shops and vintage boutiques. With the proper care, quality woollen coats will last decades.
• Buy wool alternatives. Materials such as certified organic cotton, hemp, linen, and some certified cellulosic fibres like TENCEL Lyocell are gentler on the environment and 100% cruelty-free.
• Buy from brands that use non-mulesed or recycled wool. Good On You rewards brands that have pledged to use non-mulesed or recycled wool in their products, including People Tree (UK), A.BCH (AU), and Christy Dawn (US), to name just a few.

Fur + exotic animal skins

Animals including rabbits, minks, goats, foxes, crocodiles, alpacas, llamas, kangaroos, and even dogs and cats are coveted by the fashion industry. Their fur and skins are used to make various “luxurious” clothing items. Fur also includes the fibres cashmere and angora, which are sourced from the Cashmere goat and the Angora rabbit.

Though the ’90s saw fur become taboo for a short time due to PETA’s successful celebrity-endorsed campaign, it has recently seen a comeback on catwalks and red carpets. And while you’re more likely to come across faux fur than real fur in the average fast fashion store, some major brands such as Missguided have been found to have mislabelled garments made out of real fur as faux fur.

Animals Australia found that “85% of the fur industry’s skins come from animals raised in battery cages in fur farms, where animals are deprived of quality of life.” In fur farms, animals are often killed through beating, gassing, and electrocution. It is even common practice in China to skin animals alive. The World Society for the Protection of Animals revealed that up to 80% of fur is produced in China, which has no explicit animal welfare legislation and protection laws. Fur that is not made in fur farms is obtained either by trapping or killing wild animals. Though often considered a more “natural” and ‘humane’ method of acquiring fur, trapping is highly distressing and painful for animals.

What are some more ethical alternatives?

• Buy second hand or recycled fur. If you love the look and feel of fur but don’t want to support the horrors of the modern fur industry, there’s often a decent range of pre-loved fur coats at vintage boutiques and markets.
• Buy faux fur. But we recommend that you avoid fast fashion faux fur garments, as they are often made from non-renewable, petroleum-based products, including polyester and nylon. Look for faux fur alternatives crafted from recycled or other lower-impact materials, like upcycled denim.

Down

Down feather is prized by the fashion industry for its low carbon footprint and its ability to insulate against freezing temperatures. However, to gather down, feathers are collected from ducks, geese, and swans either while the birds are still alive or after they have been killed. Because farmers have to meet large demands, and because feathers grow back like fur or hair, most down is obtained by live-plucking. Live-plucking is a very painful process that sometimes causes the birds to accidentally break their limbs as they struggle to escape.

PETA estimate that a single farm can undertake close to 250,000 live pluckings a year. They also found that some suppliers certified by the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) are still sourcing live-plucked down. More concerning is that up to 80% of the world’s down is produced in China, a country which, again, currently has no animal welfare laws in place.

What are some ethical alternatives?

• Avoid live-plucked down. Some brands such as Patagonia (US) have vowed not to use live-plucked down, instead choosing to use only recycled or traceable down from birds that have not been force-fed or live-plucked.
• Buy down alternatives. Better brands such as Culthread (UK) and PANGAIA (UK) offer a range of cosy vegan jackets and coats made for the chilliest of climates.

Silk

Silk has been revered as a luxury for thousands of years. Silk is made up of the threads that form the cocoon of the mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori). The threads are extracted by boiling the cocoon with the pupae still inside. This method can be controversial. While Good On You does not currently rate brands based on their use of silk, for those who believe all animals, large or small, should not suffer for our consumption, it is worth factoring into your purchasing decisions.

What are some more ethical alternatives?

• Look into silk alternatives. Two exciting up-and-coming fabrics are Citrus Fibre and Vegan Spider silk. For more commercially available options, things like recycled satin and bamboo lyocell work well to mimic the look and feel of silk minus the cruelty.
• Buy Ahimsa (Peace) silk. Aptly named, “peace silk” is made from a silkworm’s cocoon after it has undergone metamorphosis and left the cocoon as a moth. As the cocoon ruptures, the long, singular silk strand is broken up into smaller strands, which must be woven back together to create premium quality silk. However, there are even some ethical concerns with peace silk, and there is no regulatory guidelines or certification for its production.
• Buy from better brands. If you buy silk, choose brands dedicated to responsible practice, like The Ethical Silk Company (Ireland).

Animal cruelty in fashion is enabled when there is a demand for the product, so when shopping for a new item for your wardrobe, why not buy cruelty-free? The free Good On You app and directory are great tools for finding brands that share your values.

Want to know more about the issues Good On You rates brands on? Check out our articles on the impacts of fast fashion on the environment and garment workers, or head to our In The Know selection for more.

The post Fashion and Animal Welfare: Everything You Should Know Before You Buy appeared first on Good On You.

Everlane claims “radical transparency”, but does it live up to its own promises? Let’s dive into the brand’s improved middling “It’s a Start” score based on the rating published in July 2023. It may not reflect claims the brand has made since then. Our ratings analysts are constantly rerating the thousands of brands you can check on our directory.

Timeless, affordable, making improvements

Californian online retailer Everlane is synonymous with timeless styles at affordable prices. Everlane has built its brand with the tagline “radical transparency” and positioned itself as a leader in ethical practice. It says it is committed to revealing the true costs behind all of its products—from materials, to labour, to transportation. But behind the sleek advertising campaigns and celebrity endorsements, how do Everlane’s claims stack up? We take a look at how this US retailer rates in terms of its environmental impact, labour rights, and animal welfare and ask: how ethical is Everlane?

Environmental impact

When it comes to the environment, we are pleased to report an increase in effort and transparency from the brand, seeing its score here raise from “Not Good Enough” to “It’s a Start” in the most recent review. 

Everlane rejects passing trends, instead emphasising classic, well-made designs that are more likely to be worn for longer—a key characteristic of ethical fashion. And we were pleased to see that in September 2017, Everlane introduced a new denim line that addresses many of the environmental impacts of denim production. 

The brand uses a medium proportion of lower-impact materials including organic cotton, which helps limit the chemicals, water, and wastewater in its supply chain. While Everlane has now eliminated some hazardous chemicals, it has not as yet made a commitment to eliminate all hazardous chemicals in manufacturing. And while the fact that it has now set a science based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in both its direct operations and supply chain is positive, unfortunately there’s no evidence it’s on track.

Taking this all into account, we have awarded Everlane our middling score of “It’s a Start” to reflect both its progress for the planet, and the places where it still needs to improve.

Labour conditions

When taken at face value, Everlane appears to do right by its workers. The Everlane website includes a “Factories” section that identifies many of the brand’s suppliers worldwide and provides pictures of the factories, short descriptions of how Everlane found them, the materials produced there, and information about the owners. Though publicly sharing a list of suppliers is a good step towards “radical transparency”, Everlane doesn’t state whether this is a complete list of suppliers, and the list doesn’t include any suppliers at the raw material stage.

What’s more, although the images provided depict good working conditions, it is difficult to confirm that they are truly representative of Everlane’s suppliers, as they were not provided (or audited) by an independent third party. It’s also unclear which part of the supply chain is audited and how often those audits occur. Despite these “happy” factories, there is no evidence the brand has worker empowerment initiatives such as collective bargaining or rights to make a complaint, nor does it appear to support diversity and inclusion or ensure payment of a living wage in its supply chain.

Unfortunately, the brand still scores “Not Good Enough” for workers at this stage, as it still has a long way to go.

Animal welfare

Everlane’s animal score also increased from “Not Good Enough” to “It’s a Start” for our animal friends in the most recent review.

The brand now has a formal policy aligned with the Five Freedoms of animal welfare, but unfortunately no clear implementation mechanisms in place as yet. It doesn’t use fur, exotic animal skin, or angora in any of its products. While it does use leather, wool, and down in its products, some of it is recycled, which is a good step. It also traces some animal-derived materials to the first production stage.

The brand does still use exotic animal hair and silk, and the welfare of both animals and workers cannot be guaranteed when a brand does not list the source of animal-derived materials. Everlane needs to further improve its transparency and the traceability of its materials, or even better, eliminate animal-derived materials from its products altogether.

Overall rating: ‘It’s a Start’

We’ve given Everlane an improved overall rating of “It’s a Start” in its most recent review based on our own research. To its credit, Everlane focuses on timeless designs over short-lived trends and emphasises the high quality and craftsmanship of its products, and acknowledges that brands ought to be transparent. But there are essential ways in which Everlane fails to live up to its own hype, and further improvements are still needed across the board—though especially when it comes to workers’ rights—for the brand to see a higher score on our directory.

Note that Good On You ratings consider hundreds of issues, and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information, see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.

See the rating.

So for the conscious consumer, Everlane might be out until it further improves its practices. Luckily, many responsible brands offer timeless, well-made designs that do right by workers, animals, and the planet. 

Good swaps

Check out these alternative brands to Everlane rated “Good” or “Great” by us.

The post How Ethical Is Everlane? appeared first on Good On You.

Fashion podcasts you’ll love

Podcasts are an entertaining (and often free) way to stay productive whilst going about your day-to-day business. You can listen to one while you’re making breakfast, sitting on the train, or even walking the dog. But did you know there are a bunch of great ethical and sustainable fashion podcasts well worth tuning into?

You might not have the time to do your own research, but luckily we’ve compiled a list of the best fashion podcasts that you can simply download and listen to wherever, whatever you’re doing. Let’s get listening.

1. Conscious Chatter

Kestrel Jenkins, founder of AWEAR World, has a wealth of experience in the ethical fashion industry, working for responsible companies such as People Tree. Her fashion podcast Conscious Chatter covers style and sustainability. She interviews a wide range of fashion industry experts from designers, entrepreneurs, and advocates, to farmers and factory workers. Jenkins talks style and ethics with guests such as:

• Andrew Morgan, director of groundbreaking documentary The True Cost (S01 Ep44)
• Safia Minney, founder of People Tree (S01 Ep08)
• Elizabeth Cline, author of Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion (S01 Ep05)
• Sandra Capponi, the Co-Founder & Head of Development for Good On You (S02 Ep54)

Her series The Root, made in collaboration with black indigenous sustainability expert Dominique Drakeford, focuses on the need to decolonise the sustainable fashion agenda, and equitably centres the voices, knowledge, and labour of BIPOC. Tune in on the Conscious Chatter website, subscribe and download for free on Apple Podcasts.

2. Wardrobe Crisis

Clare Press is a fashion journalist, former editor-at-large for Marie Claire Australia, and author of several books, including one of our faves Wardrobe Crisis: How We Went From Sunday Best to Fast Fashion. Now this eco-influencer has hit the airwaves with her ethical fashion podcast also titled Wardrobe Crisis. According to Press, “this show unzips the real issues that face the industry today, with a focus on ethics, sustainability, consumerism, activism, identity, and creativity.” Having kicked off in 2017, Clare has spoken with an amazing array of experts, so you’re bound to find an interesting conversation to tune into.

Start listening via the Wardrobe Crisis website or subscribe via Apple Podcasts. Follow Press on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

3. Conscious Style Podcast

What will it take to cultivate a more sustainable and equitable future for fashion? That’s what co-hosts Elizabeth Joy and Stella Hertantyo are dedicated to exploring on the Conscious Style Podcast with their line-up of inspiring, change-making guests.

Find the podcast on all listening apps like Spotify and Apple Podcasts or watch the video versions over on YouTube.

4. Consciousness Beyond The Product

Consciousness Beyond The Product is a podcast special discussing the fashion industry and picking apart important topics that can no longer be overlooked. Hosted by Sabinna Rachimova, the founder of the fair fashion brand SABINNA, each episode features brilliant guests in a diverse selection of industry opinion leaders. You’ll find topics explored such as sustainability beyond the product, inclusivity, and fashion and technology.

Listen over on Spotify and other major listening platforms.

5. American Fashion Podcast

Run by co-hosts Charles Beckwith, Seth Friedermann, Cathy Schepis, and Lisa-Maria Radano, American Fashion Podcast, which ran from 2014 and has an archive of 200+ episodes, explores current issues in the garment industry. The team also looks at more sustainable and ethical practices in the future of fashion. Featuring a range of designers, retailers, executives, photographers and writers, the ethical fashion podcast holds discussions with fashion bigwigs.

American Fashion Podcast is perfect for anyone—from those wanting to learn more about the ethical fashion industry, to those looking to start a business. Listen on the website or subscribe and download for free on Apple Podcasts. You can follow their conversation on Twitter at @AFPod.

6. Business With Purpose

Hosted by Molly Stillman, a long-time lifestyle and fashion blogger, Business With Purpose highlights a number of businesses—from huge international brands, to community non-profits, and everything in between—who all aim to change the world for the better.

Tune in on Molly’s website, subscribe and download on Apple Podcasts, or tune into what Stillman has to say on Twitter @stillbeingmolly.

7. Low Tox Life (Episode 5)

While Alexx Stuart’s podcast series Low Tox Life isn’t all about fashion, this episode featuring Hannah Parris is a must listen. Hannah is the co-founder of more sustainable brand Mighty Good Basics. In this podcast she covers a range of topics, including issues in the garment industry, overcoming challenges in responsible fashion companies, and successful marketing tactics.

Listen via Alexx’s website or subscribe and download for free on Apple Podcasts. You can also follow Alex on Twitter for tips on how to live your own “low tox” life, @Alexx_Stuart.

8. Pre-Loved Podcast

Pre-Loved Podcast is a weekly interview show about rad vintage style with guests you’ll want to go thrifting with, hosted by Emily Stochl. They chat about style, running a fashion business, sustainability, slow fashion, the stories behind incredible vintage pieces, and why they choose second hand things first.

To follow along with all things #PreLovedPod and otherwise, you can listen on the website and Apple Podcasts.

9. Sustainably Influenced

In Sustainably Influenced, Bianca Foley and Charlotte Williams explore the efforts in making changes to their lifestyles as influencers. As they aim to live more sustainably and consciously, they hope that they can encourage you to make one small change today. They also shed a little light on the many different terms in the sustainability world, and discuss the different aspects of living a conscious lifestyle and how we can do our bit to make a difference.

You can listen to Sustainably Influenced on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

10. Crash Course Fashion

Crash Course Fashion is a podcast hosted by Brittany Sierra, founder and CEO of The Sustainable Fashion Forum. It explores the intricate relationship between sustainability, fashion, and business, navigating the ongoing journey and multifaceted challenges of advancing toward sustainability in an industry driven by constant change, supply chain complexities, and ever-evolving consumer demands.

You can listen to Crash Course Fashion on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

11. Style With Substance

Each week Style With Substance explores a new topic, joined by an industry insider guest to discuss clothing recycling, renting your wardrobe, thrifting, and fashion that gives back to the planet. Series one explores greenwashing and the myths that surround sustainable fashion.

Check Style With Substance out on Apple Podcasts.

12. Fashion Revolution Podcast

A global movement consisting of designers, producers, workers, and fashion lovers from all around the world? And this movement making a podcast series? We don’t know about you, but we were all ears right away. Fashion Revolution Podcast is a movement which aims to transform the fashion industry by telling stories that vary across the whole value chain, making them accessible for almost everyone.

Tune in on Apple Podcasts to learn about the production of the clothes you are wearing and which personal stories might be connected with these garments. While there are only three episodes, they are well worth a listen.

13. Ethical Fashion Initiative’s Ethical Fashion Podcast

Explore the issues driving the ethical fashion conversation with your hosts Simone Cipriani, Head and Founder of the ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative, and sustainable fashion journalist Clare Press in the new Ethical Fashion Podcast.

Listen to the episodes on Ethical Fashion Initiative’s website.

14. Sustainable Talks with N&N

The fashion industry is often a black hole. In this podcast, two old Italian friends Nicolo and Niccolo, working more than 15 years in the fashion supply chain,
want to find some clarity with the most sustainable players of the fashion industry.

You can find the episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

So, what are you waiting for? Time to stop playing Sex and the City re-runs off your phone on the bus to work. Why not download one of these fashion podcasts and learn more about style ethics and the industry? Happy listening.

Hungry for more? Check out these great ethical fashion books and documentaries

The post Happy Listening: 14 of the Best Sustainable Fashion Podcasts appeared first on Good On You.

Former high street store Miss Selfridge has grown to become one of the UK’s best known labels, before being acquired by ASOS. How ethical is Miss Selfridge now? In this article, we dive into the brand’s “Not Good Enough” rating, which was published in May 2023 and may not reflect claims the brand has made since then. Our ratings analysts are constantly rerating the thousands of brands you can check on our directory.

Miss Selfridge isn’t doing enough

Since 1966, Miss Selfridge has grown from humble beginnings as the youth section of Selfridge’s department store to being one of the UK’s best-known high street labels. It was bought by ASOS in 2021, alongside Topshop, and is now run exclusively online on ASOS.

Before being purchased by ASOS, Miss Selfridge enjoyed global success and boasted over 250 stores worldwide. But its prior owner, the Arcadia Group, was no stranger to controversy, including cancelling over £100m global garment orders amid COVID-19, risking poverty for thousands of supply chain workers.

How is Miss Selfridge doing now? How is the ASOS-owned brand impacting people, the planet, and animals? We ask, how ethical is Miss Selfridge? Let’s have a look.

Environmental impact

We rated Miss Selfridge’s environmental initiatives “Not Good Enough”. The brand uses few lower-impact materials, and we found no evidence it’s taking steps to minimise textile waste and protect biodiversity in its supply chain.

Ultimately, the most worrying part is Miss Selfridge’ business model, which relies on overproducing mass quantities of cheap garments, which then end up in landfills and cause environmental problems around the world.

Labour conditions

Unfortunately, Miss Selfridge also received a score of “Not Good Enough” for its impact on people. First, none of its supply chain is certified by crucial labour standards that help ensure worker health and safety and other rights. And while it has a limited policy to support diversity and inclusion in its direct operations and supply chain, it clearly isn’t enough. It also received a score of 51-60% in the latest Fashion Transparency Index

More importantly, we found no evidence Miss Selfridge ensures workers are paid living wages in its supply chain. All workers in the fashion industry deserve to be paid enough to live a life of safety, health, and dignity. Transparent and verifiable methodologies, such as those used by organisations like The Asia Floor Wage Alliance and the Global Living Wage Coalition, can provide guidance on calculating minimum living wages.

Animal welfare

To end on a more positive note, Miss Selfridge rates “Good” for its impact on animals. The brand uses few animal-derived materials and doesn’t appear to use leather, down, fur, angora, exotic animal skin, or exotic animal hair. It has a policy to source wool from non-mulesed sheep but doesn’t provide any evidence to verify its claims.

Overall rating: ‘Not Good Enough’

Overall, we rate Miss Selfridge “Not Good Enough”. Despite undertaking a few small initiatives, Miss Selfridge still has a lot of room for improvement in all areas. The brand could start improving its score by incorporating more lower-impact materials into its products, improving transparency about its suppliers, and implementing a living wage across its supply chain.

Note that Good On You ratings consider hundreds of issues, and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information, see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.

See the rating.

Why not ditch Miss Selfridge and invest your money in well-made, fair, and cruelty-free pieces from the top rated brands below?

The post How Ethical Is Miss Selfridge? appeared first on Good On You.

Popular chain department store Primark may be trendy and affordable, but can workers and the planet afford the way they do business? How ethical is Primark? This article is based on the Primark rating published in May 2023 and may not reflect claims the brand has made since then. Our ratings analysts are constantly rerating the thousands of brands you can check on our directory.

The problem with Primark

Irish fast fashion chain Primark is known and loved around the world for its range of on-trend clothing, footwear, accessories, and homewares for men, women, and children at astonishingly low prices.

But does its super cheap price tags belie larger costs to the environment, workers, and animals? We investigated for you to answer the question—how ethical is Primark?

Environmental impact

First, there are a few positive steps Primark has taken, though they’re primarily peripheral to their business model. Like a lot of other brands, Primark is a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition. It has been using paper bags instead of plastic bags since 2002, and has also introduced initiatives to reduce waste and packaging. The brand also committed to eliminate hazardous chemicals in its products—a commitment it made for 2020 as part of the Greenpeace Detox campaign—but there is no evidence it is on track to meet its target. Primark uses some lower-impact materials in its products, including recycled materials. But as with most fast fashion brands, Primark’s growing reliance on recycled polyester isn’t inherently sustainable and has many pros and cons.

Ultimately, the biggest flaw with Primark is its business model, which relies on overproducing mass quantities of cheap garments which then end up in landfills and cause environmental problems around the world. Unfortunately, we found no evidence it minimises textile waste in its supply chain. And, while the fast fashion retailer offers clothing recycling to consumers, it doesn’t report on its results.

Primark’s environmental initiatives are small steps in the right direction, but they just aren’t enough to minimise the brand’s huge carbon footprint as a fast fashion giant, which is why it receives a score of “Not Good Enough” for the planet.

Labour conditions

Primark has taken some positive steps towards improving its practice when it comes to workers, but there is still much room for improvement. The brand is a signatory to the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety and the Cotton Pledge, which commits to boycotting Uzbekistan cotton. Primark is also a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) and has adopted their Code of Conduct. However, the code does not ensure payment of a living wage.

Though the brand has taken some positive steps, the fact that Primark, like so many other fast fashion brands, does not own its own factories and outsources manufacturing to its suppliers means that despite all that talk of responsible practice and auditing, it does not control its supply chain and can therefore effectively shrug off any responsibility for factory workers and any labour issues that may be occurring. On top of that, it received a score of 31-40% in the 2022 Fashion Transparency Index, and it discloses inadequate policies or safeguards to protect suppliers and workers in its supply chain from the impacts of COVID-19. For these reasons, we have given Primark a score of “Not Good Enough” for people, too.

Primark can improve its score in this area by being more transparent when it comes to its suppliers and auditing practices, as well as paying its workers a living wage and improving health and safety in factories.

Animal welfare

Primark is a member of the Leather Working Group, which promotes more sustainable practices in the leather industry, and does not use fur, angora, down feather, or exotic animal skin in its products. However, it does use leather and wool without stating its sources, and there is no evidence it traces any animal product to the first stage of production. This is problematic for both our furry friends and factory workers as their wellbeing cannot be guaranteed. Primark could improve its score in this area by stating where its leather and wool are sourced from so consumers can make an informed decision. Until then, it receives “Not Good Enough” here, too.

Overall rating: ‘Not Good Enough’

Overall, we rate Primark “Not Good Enough”. Primark has implemented a number of initiatives to use more responsible materials, has signed the Bangladesh Accord and Cotton Pledge, and has adopted the ETI Code of Conduct, which are all commendable steps—but the brand still has a long way to go.

Ultimately, the fact that Primark’s business model is based on creating huge amounts of short-lived, poorly-made fast fashion products inherently contradicts the values of responsible fashion and spells nothing but bad news for the environment, workers, and animals.

Note that Good On You ratings consider hundreds of issues, and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information, see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.

See the rating.

So instead of buying cheap, poorly-made clothes that are costly to the environment and garment workers, why not give Primark a miss and invest your hard-earned dollars in one of these well-made, better brands rated “Good” or “Great”?

Good swaps

See below for some “Good” and “Great” alternatives to Primark. If affordability is a concern for you, why not check out our article that answers the question “is more ethical clothing really expensive?“. For those of you living week to week who can’t afford to pay more up front—we get it. Everyone is on their own journey, and there is nothing wrong with shopping from more affordable mainstream brands that are at least making a start, like H&M or Uniqlo. However, our article on more affordable responsible brands is also worth checking out first, as well as shopping second hand wherever possible.

The post How Ethical Is Primark? appeared first on Good On You.

Nike is one of the most popular activewear brands in the world, so just how ethical is Nike? Our research shows the brand is making a start, but the sportswear giant still has work to do across the board. In this article, we dive into the brand’s “It’s a Start” rating, which was published in May 2023 and may not reflect claims the brand has made since then. Our ratings analysts are constantly rerating the thousands of brands you can check on our directory.

What’s going on behind the Swoosh

Though it seems everybody has at least one pair of Nikes, that popularity has come in spite of a lot of ethical concerns raised throughout the brand’s history. While it’s known for its inspiring advertising that reflects the diversity of people in sports, the Just Do It brand has also come under fire in the past for links to sweatshops and unethical manufacturing.

So how does this brand rate today when it comes to its treatment of people, the planet, and animals? How ethical and sustainable is activewear brand Nike? Here’s what Good On You’s analysts found in their recent re-rating.

Nike sweatshops and its brand image

Nike had been accused of using sweatshops to produce its sneakers and activewear since the 1970s, but the issues really came into the spotlight in 1991 when activist Jeff Ballinger published a report detailing the low wages and poor working conditions in Nike’s Indonesian factories. Soon after, the brand came under fire and became the subject of a sustained campaign by United Students Against Sweatshops.

Nike was initially slow to respond in the ’90s—but under increasing pressure, it eventually made some changes by improving its monitoring efforts, raising the minimum age of workers, and increasing factory audits.

Since then, the brand has earned plaudits for many of its efforts. In 2016, for example, Business of Fashion reported that Nike has successfully transformed its tarnished image to become a “recognised sustainability leader.” Morgan Stanley even ranked Nike “the most sustainable apparel and footwear company in North America for environmental and social performance, including its labour record.”

While that all sounds like progress, is this actually the case?

Steps forward, steps backwards

Though Nike has successfully improved its reputation and has become a top-selling activewear brand globally, many of its practices are still problematic.

In 2017, Nike took a big step backwards, as the International Labor Rights Forum reported that the company had turned its back on its commitment to the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC). This move effectively blocked labour rights experts from independently monitoring Nike’s supplier factories. In 2021 and 2022 Nike received a 51-60% score in the Fashion Transparency Index (in the same scoring range as the previous year), suggested it started going in the right direction again for transparency.

But in May 2023, Nike was hit with a class action lawsuit over “greenwashed” sustainability claims. “The 47-page ‘greenwashing’ lawsuit charges broadly that Nike has illegally attempted to capitalise on consumers’ preference for ‘green’ products by falsely claiming that certain apparel tagged with ‘sustainable’ claims and marketed as supporting the retailer’s waste- and carbon-reducing ‘Move to Zero’ initiative are, unbeknownst to the public, made from non-biodegradable plastic-based materials,” reports ClassAction.org.

It’s like Nike is in an on-again-off-again relationship with doing the right thing, begging for some stability.

Environmental impact

We rate Nike “It’s a Start” for the planet. Though Nike has made a few positive changes to its environmental practices and is a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, it still has a way to go before it can truly be called a more sustainable brand. Nike uses some lower-impact materials, including organic and recycled cotton. The brand has also set a deadline to eliminate hazardous chemicals by 2025 and the good news is that it’s on track to meet its target. But while Nike has set a science-based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated from its operations and supply chain, there is no evidence it is on track to meet that target.  And there’s no evidence it’s taking actions to protect biodiversity in its supply chain.

Labour conditions

Nike’s labour rating is also “It’s a Start”. Though the brand has focused on female empowerment and inclusiveness in its advertising campaigns, the women who work for Nike—from factories to headquarters—are seemingly left out of this picture. In 2018, Nike was sued by two former female employees who accused the sneaker giant of creating a culture of gender discrimination and sexual harassment.

On a positive note, the company is Fair Labor Association (FLA) Workplace Code of Conduct certified. It also implements practices to encourage diversity and inclusion in some of its supply chain, and  it disclosed adequate policies to protect suppliers in its supply chain from the impacts of COVID-19 during the heights of the pandemic (though not workers). 

The Foul Play report by the Clean Clothes Campaign and Collectif Ethique sur l’Etiquette shows just how far Nike has to go when it comes to living wages. It highlights the difference between the ever-increasing amount of money paid on sponsorships to sports stars and other marketing expenses, compared to the reduction of the share of the final price of your sports gear paid to workers in the supply chain. The report calls on both Nike and Adidas to commit to paying living wages across their supply chains by a specific date and other supporting action. Read more about living wages for garment workers here.

In previous ratings of Nike, we couldn’t find evidence the brand ensured payment of a living wage in most of its supply chain. When we reviewed the brand in May 2023, we found that Nike now claims to have a program to improve wages but found no evidence it indeed ensures its workers are paid living wages in most of its supply chain.

Animal welfare

Nike does not use fur or angora in its products, which may not be that surprising given its activewear category. However, it does use wool, down, exotic animal skin, shearling, exotic animal hair, and silk without specifying sources. It uses some recycled leather in its leather products. This lack of transparency is problematic as the welfare of animals and workers is unknown. Because of this, we have given the brand a rating of “Not Good Enough” for animal welfare and hope for more progress soon.

Overall rating: ‘It’s a Start’

So, how sustainable is Nike? Overall, we rate Nike “It’s a Start” based on information from our own research. Though Nike has a few promising environmental measures in place, it’s clear that the company is not doing as much as it should and needs to make serious changes in most areas. With an annual revenue of over $46.7bn in 2022, the sportswear giant can certainly afford it.

Good On You ratings consider hundreds of issues, and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information, see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.

See the rating.

Good swaps

If you love the Nike vibe but prefer to support brands doing “Good” or “Great”, we’ve rounded up some more sustainable alternatives to Nike for you below.

The post How Ethical Is Nike? appeared first on Good On You.

UK fast fashion giant Topshop is lacking action across the board. How ethical is Topshop? In this article, we dive into the brand’s “Not Good Enough” rating, which was published in May 2023 and may not reflect claims the brand has made since then. Our ratings analysts are constantly rerating the thousands of brands you can check on our directory.

Topshop isn’t coming out on top

UK fast fashion giant Topshop had over 500 stores globally at its peak, but after going into administration in late 2020 it was purchased by ASOS. The brand now operates via the ASOS website and can be found in Nordstrom stores in the US. So how does the brand treat people, the planet, and animals? How ethical is Topshop?

In the decade before being purchased by ASOS, Topshop enjoyed global success and collaborations with a number of artists and celebrities. But its prior owner the Arcadia Group was no stranger to controversy, having made headlines due to allegations of labour abuses, including unfair wages paid to garment workers and poor working conditions. Topshop itself also faced allegations, like when it was claimed Topshop x Beyonce’s Ivy Park collection’s mostly female garment workers were toiling under unfair conditions despite the range supposedly promoting female empowerment.

So after running a gauntlet of bad headlines and controversy, has ASOS-owned Topshop since picked up its ethical game or is it much of the same? Read on to find out.

Environmental impact

Topshop has made some small efforts over the years to improve its impact on the planet, but it still has a long way to go before it can be considered an environmentally responsible brand.

Despite the release of its CONSIDERED collection, as well as a vegan shoe collection in 2019 in an attempt to lower its environmental impact by using lower-impact and recycled materials, the impact of the fast fashion giant on the planet is considerable, as it still relies on the mass production of brand new clothing.

What’s more, there is no evidence that it has taken any meaningful action to minimise textile waste in its supply chain, not does it appear to be taking actions to protect biodiversity.

Topshop does incorporate some lower-impact materials, but its fast fashion business model is inherently unsustainable. By emphasising fleeting trends over timeless designs and producing huge amounts of poorly-made clothes, it’s hard to see how Topshop can become a more sustainable brand without ditching this practice.

For all these reasons, Topshop’s environmental impact is “Not Good Enough”.

Labour conditions

We gave Topshop a labour rating of “Not Good Enough”. While it received an improved score of 51-60% in the 2022 Fashion Transparency Index, not much else has changed.

None of Topshop’s supply chain is certified by crucial labour standards that help ensure worker health and safety and other rights. It has a limited policy to support diversity and inclusion in its direct operations and supply chain, and while it disclosed some policies to protect workers in its supply chain at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, one crucial issue remains: there’s no evidence it ensures workers are paid living wages in its supply chain.

Topshop should prioritise payment of a living wage for its workers if its score here is going to improve.

Animal welfare

Topshop received a score of “It’s a Start” for animal welfare.

Although Topshop doesn’t use down, fur, angora, exotic animal skin, or exotic animal hair in its products, it still uses leather and wool in its products without providing any information about where they are sourced from. It does have a policy to source wool from non-mulesed sheep, but unfortunately doesn’t provide any evidence to verify its claims.

Topshop has a formal policy aligned with the Five Freedoms of animal welfare, but few clear implementation mechanisms are in place, and there’s no evidence it traces any animal-derived materials to the first production stage.

The welfare of both animals and workers cannot be guaranteed when the source of these materials is unknown. Topshop could improve its score in this area by being more transparent about where it gets its leather and wool from, or even better, by not using animal-derived materials in its clothes at all.

Overall rating: Not Good Enough

We’ve given Topshop a rating of “Not Good Enough” overall based on information from our own research.

Topshop needs to do much more to improve its practices in all areas. While Topshop appears to be putting some measures in place to shrink its carbon footprint, none of them apply to the resource-intensive garment manufacturing process, which is the most important thing that the brand needs to address if it hopes to become more sustainable.

Note that Good On You ratings consider hundreds of issues, and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information, see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.

See the rating.

So next time you need to fill a gap in your wardrobe, why not give Topshop a miss and choose one of these more ethical brands rated “Good” or “Great” if they meet your needs?

Good swaps

“Good” and “Great” alternatives to Topshop, including second hand options.

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British company ASOS is one of the world’s most popular online fashion destinations. But how ethical is ASOS? In this article, we dive into the brand’s “Not Good Enough” rating, which was published in May 2023 and may not reflect claims the brand has made since then. Our ratings analysts are constantly rerating the thousands of brands you can check on our directory.

The realities of fast fashion outweigh convenience

ASOS is a UK-based fast fashion mammoth: it sells over 850 different brands and also makes its own range of affordable clothing and accessories. But how ethical is the ASOS private range, and should you be looking elsewhere for your online shopping fix?

While the prospect of 70,000 cheap and cute fashion items delivered to your doorstep is exciting, the low price tags often belie the true cost of fast fashion: questionable labour policies and production processes that are detrimental to the environment. And while the brand claims its Fashion with Integrity strategy “drives [the brand] to be a company that cares for people, while working to reduce [its] impact on the planet”, we can’t help but wonder: is that really the case? Let’s take a look at the impact of ASOS on people, the planet, and animals and answer: how ethical is ASOS?

Environmental impact

We rated ASOS’s environmental impact “Not Good Enough”. The ASOS brand uses some lower-impact materials in its clothing, but there is no evidence it minimises textile waste when manufacturing its products. In addition, we found no evidence ASOS is taking actions to protect biodiversity in its supply chain.

In 2010, ASOS introduced a collection called the Responsible Edit—a selection of clothing, accessories, and beauty products marketed for a lower environmental impact. ASOS private label clothing comprises about a quarter of this collection with pieces made in conjunction with fair labour partners in Kenya, and some lower-impact fabrics like TENCEL. In 2022, ASOS pulled its Responsible Edit, “just weeks ahead of an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) looking into potential ‘greenwashing’ issues” reports Fashion Networks.

Responsible Edit or not, at the end of the day, ASOS follows an unsustainable fast fashion model with quickly changing trends and regular new styles, which can never be sustainable.

Labour conditions

ASOS’ labour rating is also “Not Good Enough”. Almost none of its supply chain is certified by labour standards which ensure worker health and safety or other labour rights, and it received a score of 51-60% in the latest Fashion Transparency Index (an improvement from its previous scores). ASOS has a limited policy to support diversity and inclusion in its direct operations and supply chain and during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it disclosed some policies to protect workers in its supply chain from the virus.

But the most problematic issue, however, is that we found no evidence it ensures payment of a living wage in its supply chain when it can certainly afford it. In its 2023 Fashion with Integrity strategy ASOS claims that in 2023, it’ll start publishing “an annual human rights strategy and implementation report, focused on freedom of association, gender empowerment, wages, and modern slavery” and that it’ll share its progress “with Labour Behind the Label, part of the Clean Clothes Campaign, and existing critical friends, Anti-Slavery International and IndustriALL Global Union, for independent monitoring of our strategy and progress.” Big statements are great, but we look forward to seeing how ASOS reaches its targets. Paying workers a living wage is crucial for a more ethical and sustainable fashion industry.

Animal welfare

ASOS rates “Not Good Enough” for animal welfare, a downgrade from past ratings. ASOS a formal policy aligned with the Five Freedoms of animal welfare but few clear implementation mechanisms in place. It does not use angora, fur, down, exotic animal skin or hair, but it still uses leather, shearling, and wool (it has a policy to source wool from non-mulesed sheep but doesn’t provide any evidence to verify its claims). What’s more, we found no evidence ASOS traces any of these animal-derived materials to the first production stage.

Overall rating: Not Good Enough

So, how ethical and sustainable is ASOS? ASOS is rated “Not Good Enough” overall. For a company that “that cares for people, while working to reduce our impact on the planet”, ASOS still has a lot of work to do. The brand needs to implement measures to protect biodiversity in its supply chain, use less animal-derived materials, and most importantly, ensure its workers are paid a living wage.

Note that Good On You ratings consider hundreds of issues, and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information, see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.

See the rating.

So, our take? If you’ve got an ASOS habit that just won’t give, try ASOS stocked brands that we rate highly, such as Baggu (“Good”) or People Tree (“Great”).

Good swaps

If you’re trying to break up with fast fashion, why not have a look at these “Good” and “Great” alternatives to ASOS.

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Founded in 1969 in California, fast fashion giant Gap has almost 4,000 stores worldwide. Sadly, it’s “Not Good Enough” for people, the planet, and animals. Keep reading to learn more about the details of Gap’s rating. This article is based on the Gap rating published in September 2022.

How ethical is Gap?

Over the decades Gap has built its name as a household favourite and go-to for fashionable and affordable clothing. But how ethical is Gap when it comes to its policies on labour rights, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare?

Environmental impact

Gap’s environment rating is “It’s a Start”. It uses some more eco-friendly materials including recycled materials, though there is no evidence it minimises textile waste when manufacturing its products. And while it has set a science-based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated from its own operations and supply chain, there is no evidence it is on track to meet its target. On the plus side, Gap demonstrates leadership in managing water use in its supply chain—it received an “A-” in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) water security questionnaire. But further work is definitely needed if Gap wishes to be “Good” for the planet.

Labour conditions

Unfortunately, Gap is “Not Good Enough” when it comes to labour conditions. It received a score of 41-50% in the Fashion Transparency Index, as none of its supply chain is certified by labour standards which ensure worker health and safety or other labour rights. What’s more, there is no evidence it ensures payment of a living wage in its supply chain, and it discloses inadequate policies to protect suppliers and workers in its supply chain from the impacts of COVID-19. There’s still plenty of room for improvement here, Gap.

Animal welfare

Gap is also “Not Good Enough” for the animals. It has a general statement about minimising animal suffering, which is a step in the right direction, and it doesn’t use fur, down, angora, or exotic animal skin. However, it uses leather, wool, and exotic animal hair without stating sources. It also traces some animal products, but only to the first stage of production. This means we can’t be sure about the welfare of the animals or workers involved in the production process.

Overall rating: Not Good Enough

We’ve rated Gap “Not Good Enough” overall based on our own research. Though Gap has some started implementing some positive environmental measures, it still needs to make changes in all areas, especially when it comes to paying a living wage to its workers.

Note that Good On You ratings consider hundreds of issues, and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information, see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.

See the rating.

The good news? There are plenty of brands out there that are not only reliable and on-trend, but are committed to reducing their impact on the environment, minimising harm to animals, and supporting the people that make our clothes.

Good swaps

“Good” and “Great” alternatives to Gap

The post How Ethical Is Gap? appeared first on Good On You.

Nordstrom may be one of the most popular brands among a wide demographic of shoppers, especially in the US, but its house apparel brands and collections rate “Not Good Enough” across the board. This article is based on the Nordstrom rating published in January 2022.

Nordstrom not performing strongly

Nordstrom has ranked highly over the years as a popular brand among a wide demographic of shoppers, particularly in the US where it was founded. An upscale multi-brand retailer that stocks a wide range of products from brands of all price points and rankings, its own house apparel brands and collections aren’t necessarily produced under ethical or environmentally sustainable conditions, price tag aside.

From humble beginnings as a small Seattle shoe shop in 1901, the brand now has 468 locations throughout the US and Canada, selling a range of clothing, shoes, and accessories for men, women, and children. When the brand isn’t being badmouthed by Donald Trump on Twitter or selling actual rocks for $85, the fashion retailer is doing pretty well for itself. But there are some things we believe it could be doing better.

Let’s take a look at Nordstrom’s track record when it comes to environmental sustainability, labour rights, and animal welfare. Note our rating refers only to the Nordstrom house apparel brands and does not cover other brands stocked by Nordstrom or other categories of products outside of apparel.

Environmental impact

Nordstrom uses few responsible materials across its products, and it doesn’t appear to minimise textile waste in manufacturing. There is also no evidence it has taken meaningful action to reduce or eliminate hazardous chemicals, nor that it implements water reduction initiatives.

Despite having a “Sustainable style” section on its website and claiming it is “committed to a more sustainable future”, the brand isn’t doing enough to achieve a decent score for the planet: “Not Good Enough”.

Labour conditions

Nordstrom’s labour rating is also “Not Good Enough”. None of its supply chain is certified by labour standards which ensure worker health and safety or other labour rights. It received a low score of 21-30% in the 2021 Fashion Transparency Index, and there is no evidence it implements practices to support diversity and inclusion in its supply chain.

Worst of all for such a large brand, it doesn’t appear to ensure payment of a living wage in its supply chain. Nordstrom talks the talk on ethical labour practices but is yet to walk the walk.

Animal welfare

When it comes to animal welfare, Nordstrom is on the right track by banning the use of fur, angora, and exotic animal skin in its products. It also has a basic formal policy to protect animal welfare, but while it says it sources wool from non-muleseld sheep, it doesn’t provide evidence on how it is implemented. It also uses leather, down, and exotic animal hair without stating sources, and doesn’t trace any animal products even to the first stage of production. “Not Good Enough”.

Overall rating: Not Good Enough

Overall, we’ve rated Nordstrom “Not Good Enough” since it has failed to undertake enough meaningful action regarding sustainable practice, labour rights, and animal welfare over the years. It has work to do on all fronts if it wants to improve its score and reduce its impact on people, the planet, and animals. Note that Good On You ratings consider 100s of issues and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.

While Nordstrom does offer an Eco-Conscious range, we recommend that you avoid Nordstrom altogether and support more ethical brands by buying from their own websites.

See the rating.

Good swaps

Love the look but hate the score? Read on to discover some “Good” and “Great” more ethical and sustainable alternatives to Nordstrom.

The post How Ethical Is Nordstrom? appeared first on Good On You.

American label Free People is known for its range of free-spirited clothes and accessories. So, how ethical is Free People? Sadly, the brand is not pulling its weight when it comes to protecting the Earth and its inhabitants. Keep reading to learn more about Free People’s “Not Good Enough” rating. This article is based on the Free People rating published in September 2022.

Does Free People’s free-spirited image align with its ethics?

If you’re into the free-spirited vibe, you’ve surely come across Free People. Owned by retail giant URBN—which also owns Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters—this brand’s carefully curated aesthetic clearly resonates with its young customer base, operating in a whopping 1,400 speciality stores around the world. Kaia Gerber and Hailey Bieber have even both been spotted wearing one of the brand’s fleece jackets.

But how is Free People impacting people, the planet, and animals? We ask—how ethical is Free People?

Environmental impact

While Free People has made some progress when it comes to reducing its impact on the planet, there is still room for improvement, which is why its environmental rating is “Not Good Enough”.

Free People’s parent company URBN has taken some steps to lower its carbon output across its portfolio. These include the promotion of reusable shopping bags, using energy efficient LED lighting in stores, improving fuel efficiency in transport, and renewable energy being installed in part of the brand’s direct operations. Free People also uses some lower-impact materials, including recycled materials.

However, we found no evidence the brand reduces carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions in its supply chain. There is also no evidence it’s taking adequate steps to address hazardous chemicals in production, or that it manages water usage and wastewater.

Whilst the brand has the potential to incorporate more lower-impact materials, its reliance on a fast fashion model ultimately renders it unsustainable. By following fleeting trends and producing huge amounts of resource-intensive clothes, it’s hard to see how Free People can become more environmentally-responsible without embracing a different business model.

Labour conditions

We also rated Free People’s impact on people “Not Good Enough”. To start with, none of Free People’s supply chain is certified by labour standards which ensure worker health and safety, living wages, or other labour rights. The brand received a score of 11-20% in the Fashion Transparency Index, which shows it should be more transparent about its practices.

On its website, Free People states that suppliers must conduct business in accordance with the law. This includes remaining free from the use of child or slave labour, discrimination, and compliance with wage and hour requirements, and health, safety, and environmental laws. But there is no evidence that workers are being paid a living wage.

And whilst Free People states some of its supply chain is independently audited—including with the use of unannounced audits—it is unclear how often or which part of the supply chain is audited. What’s more, the brand likely publishes some information about its supplier policies and audits, but it doesn’t publish a list of suppliers or information about forced labour, gender equality, or freedom of association. The welfare of workers cannot be guaranteed if a brand cannot trace all of its supply chain.

Finally, Free People doesn’t disclose any policies or safeguards to protect suppliers and workers in its supply chain from the impacts of COVID-19.

A good start would include paying a living wage and releasing its list of suppliers to the public, as well as improving efforts to trace all of its supply chain.

Animal welfare

Although Free People has made some progress for animal welfare, there is still a way to go before it can achieve a higher rating.

While Free People went angora-free in 2016 as part of URBN’s decision to stop using angora across its portfolio, the brand still uses leather, wool, and exotic animal hair from unspecified sources. Unfortunately, the welfare of both the animals and workers cannot be guaranteed if the brand cannot trace the source of its products.

Free People’s animal rating is “Not Good Enough”. Free People could improve its rating by tracing the sources of its animal-derived materials, or even better, by not using them in products altogether.

Overall rating: Not Good Enough

Free People has taken some positive measures, but it’s simply not pulling its weight when it comes to protecting the planet, people, and animals. If the brand hopes to become more ethical in the future, it could start by setting concrete goals to reduce its environmental impact and provide more information on its labour practices and supply chain. We hope that Free People will start working towards truly embodying the progressive, nature-loving values that it claims to represent. Perhaps its parent company URBN, which has already surpassed $4B in revenue so far this year, can help it achieve this vision.

Note that Good On You ratings consider hundreds of issues, and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information, see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.

See the rating.

Luckily, we found nine more ethical and sustainable alternatives to Free People.

More ethical alternatives to Free People

Our favourite “Good” and “Great” alternatives to Free People

The post How Ethical Is Free People? appeared first on Good On You.

Trendy, affordable, and accessible. Cotton On may be popular, but is it doing right by people, the planet, and animals in production?

NOTE: This brand’s rating is under review and subject to change. The article will be updated soon to reflect any changes in scoring. This article is based on the Cotton On rating published in January 2022.

Is Cotton On sustainable or ethical?

Australian brand Cotton On is known and loved around the world for its fun and affordable clothing and accessories. But just how is it doing when it comes to its environmental impact, the treatment of its workers, and animal welfare? How ethical is Cotton On?

The Cotton On Group includes brands such as Rubi Shoes, Factorie, and Supré. According to the Cotton On Manifesto, the company is “focused on building an ethical, sustainable, and profitable business and ensuring we have a positive impact on our people, the community, the planet and all those we connect with.” But does this translate into real-world action? Let’s take a look.

Environmental impact

Cotton On doesn’t publish sufficient relevant information about its environmental policies to achieve a high rating, and we have a sneaking suspicion why. We found no evidence it reduces its carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions in its supply chain, that it has taken meaningful action to reduce or eliminate hazardous chemicals, or that it minimises textile waste.

As a fast fashion brand, Cotton On produces huge quantities of cheaply made garments, most of which are made from unsustainable materials including conventional cotton, viscose, and polyester. Manufacturing these materials consumes vast amounts of energy and water, not to mention the use of hazardous chemicals. Not only do these chemicals have a detrimental effect on workers and the surrounding air, soil, waterways, and communities, but they have also been found to affect those who end up wearing the clothes.

As a shopper, you have the right to know how a brand’s production practices impact the environment. We strongly recommend Cotton On gets its act together and publicly provides information about its environmental policies. For all these reasons, we rated Cotton On’s impact on the environment “Not Good Enough”.

Labour conditions

Cotton On also rates “Not Good Enough” for workers. The brand has a Code of Conduct that covers all of the ILO Four Fundamental Freedoms principles and audits some of its supply chain, including all of the final stage of production.

However, we found no evidence Cotton On ensures payment of a living wage in its supply chain or that it has initiatives to prevent human trafficking. In addition, the brand doesn’t disclose any policies or safeguards to protect suppliers and workers in its supply chain from the impacts of COVID-19.

Animal welfare

We found no evidence Cotton On has a policy to minimise the suffering of animals or that it traces any animal product to the first stage of production. And while the brand does not use fur, angora, down, exotic animal skin and hair, it still uses leather and wool. This is problematic as the welfare of leather workers and animals are unknown and therefore cannot be guaranteed. Which is why we rated Cotton On “Not Good Enough” for its impact on animals as well.

Overall rating: Not Good Enough

So, how ethical is Cotton On? Cotton On is rated “Not Good Enough” based on information from our own research. Despite its declarations of sustainability and ethical practice, Cotton On still has a long way to go before it can truly back up its claims. Though those cheap price tags can be very tempting, it’s important to remember that there’s a reason why they’re so cheap in the first place. Investing in a few, well-made pieces that will last a lifetime—or better yet, buying second hand—are much better alternatives for the environment and your bank account.

Note that Good On You ratings consider 100s of issues, and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information, see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.

See the rating.

Here are a few of our editors’ favourite alternatives to Cotton On, that are implementing more ethical and sustainable practices when it comes making beautiful, timeless pieces.

Good swaps

“Good” and “Great” alternatives to Cotton On.

The post How Ethical Is Cotton On? appeared first on Good On You.

If you’re a conscious consumer who feels guilty about the waste typically involved in this holiday, don’t worry. Spooky season can still be your favourite with a few eco-friendly adjustments. Rather than buying mass-produced products that take a lot of resources to manufacture, you can invest in quality costumes and decorations⁠—or even make them yourself⁠—so that they last for years rather than just one day.

Depending on where you are in the world, Halloween might still be a little different this year, but whether you’re celebrating Halloween with a small number of friends or hosting a spooky online reunion, here are our top tips for having a sustainable Halloween.

Halloween costumes, done sustainably

The biggest carbon footprint from Halloween comes from the millions of poor-quality, fast fashion costumes that are mass-produced every year. Most are made from unsustainable materials such as polyester and conventional cotton and are manufactured in countries that have poor labour standards. Worst of all, many often don’t last more than a day before they start falling apart.

What is the most sustainable Halloween costume? The one you already have. Look at what’s in your closet, ask friends and family if you can borrow a costume, or just reuse and update the same costume every year: not only is it better for the environment, it’s also better for your wallet. Plus, you won’t have to spend hours on the Internet and Pinterest looking for Halloween costume inspiration.

Costume shops hire out a huge selection of amazing costumes that are better quality than any fast fashion options. You can also check out your local thrift store or vintage boutique to find some great pieces or fabrics that you can repurpose into a DIY Halloween costume. Another fun option inspired by a clothing swap is to host a costume exchange (only if your local authorities allow gatherings).

Eco-friendly decorations

Let’s start with the traditional Halloween pumpkin. We recommend buying a pumpkin from a local grower or farmer’s market, and carving it out to make a classic Jack O’ Lantern, keeping the seeds and flesh to eat later: you can roast the seeds, and make pumpkin soup or even muffins with the flesh. For southern hemisphere readers, pumpkins aren’t in season in spring, so why not skip the imported pumpkins in the supermarket and carve out a watermelon instead?

But what happens to pumpkins come November? In the United Kingdom, it’s predicted that over 8 million pumpkins will be tossed into the trash after Halloween. In fact, in a report by Hubbub and Knorr, 60% of people who bought pumpkins to carve out, reported they do not use the pumpkin after carving and instead throw it out. But did you know there are many ways you can recycle and reuse your pumpkin after spooky season? As mentioned earlier, you can cook with the seeds and flesh, but you can also fill your pumpkin with seeds to feed the birds or wildlife or check with your local zoos and organisations (like community gardens and animal shelters) to see if they take leftover pumpkins. And if these ideas don’t work for you, you can always compost your pumpkin and plant the seeds to grow your own pumpkins for next year. That’s a win-win.

When it comes to other decorations, why not make your own? You can use cardboard to make a skeleton or tombstones, make spiders out of black pipe cleaners, create ghosts out of old sheets, and repurpose your toilet paper rolls to make spooky (and kind of adorable) bats. You can even put bloody handprints on your windows using red poster paint. Still stuck? Here are 42 cheap and easy ideas for DIY Halloween decorations.

If you do buy decorations, ensure that they are reusable and good quality, so you can use them year after year. And when it comes to candles, be sure to light up your pumpkins (or watermelons) with soy-based or beeswax candles, not paraffin-based ones.

Instead of using a plastic pumpkin bucket to hold treats in, why not use something you already have? You can use a wicker basket, a regular bucket, or even an old bag or pillowcase that you can decorate and use every year. Throwing a Halloween party? Make sure you avoid single-use plastic plates, cups, and cutlery, and use regular dishes and utensils, or opt for biodegradable or recyclable ones instead.

Don’t forget about second hand options. Check out your local vintage stores or thrift shops for creepy decorations such as candelabras, lanterns, old apothecary bottles and jars, mirrors, and dolls. No cheap mass-produced versions can beat the real thing.

Sustainable Halloween treats

Some of the biggest candy manufacturers in the world including Cadbury, Nestlé, Hershey’s, and Mars have a huge impact on the environment. They massively contribute to deforestation and species extinction due to their demand for sugar, palm oil, and cocoa beans. These companies have also been found to source their cocoa from countries such as the Ivory Coast and Ghana that use child labour or slave labour to harvest cocoa beans. On top of all that, a huge amount of energy and resources go into making candy—not to mention all the non-recyclable wrapping it’s all packaged up in.

So why not avoid all those individually-wrapped lollies, and make some sweet treats yourself? Cookies always go down well with kids (and adults, let’s be honest), and you can decorate them to make them Halloween themed. Here’s a recipe for vegan Halloween sugar cookies that would be a great option for anyone with milk, egg, or nut allergies—and, of course, vegans. Some other tasty treats you could make include Carob Almond Freezer Fudge, homemade Rolo Balls, or Peanut ‘Better’ Balls. Instead of wrapping them in plastic or cellophane, you could put them in paper bags decorated with Halloween-themed images, or just hand them straight over. They won’t last long.

If making your own treats is too time-consuming, there are a number of ethical alternatives to regular candy brands. Look for products with independent certifications such as USDA Organic, CERES, Australian Certified Organic, NASAA Certified Organic, and Fairtrade. Keep in mind, however, that these certifications don’t necessarily mean that the entire supply chain involved in making that candy is both socially and environmentally sound. If you do choose to buy regular candy, just limit the amount you give to each child. Buying only what you need is better for the environment and for the kids.

So there you have it. With these tips, us conscious consumers don’t have to miss out on all the spooky fun. Happy Green Halloween.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Having a Green Halloween appeared first on Good On You.

Here’s the good news—these days, we have access to more reliable, robust, and in-depth information on the fashion industry than ever before. The bad news? Fashion has a misinformation problem. That means we can’t stop thinking critically just because info is easier to find! It’s crucial to track down reputable sources to back up all the shocking facts and figures out there. Thankfully, we did some digging for you. Here are 6 persistent fashion industry “facts” you’re probably familiar with that deserve a closer look.

Myth 1: Fashion is the 2nd most polluting industry in the world

Enter one of the most enduring “statistics” cited about the fashion industry, but the truth is there’s no scientific evidence to validate the claim. Despite this, there is plenty of evidence to show that fashion carries with it a very serious environmental footprint. According to calculations based on the 2019 Pulse of the Fashion Industry report, the fashion industry ties with the livestock industry as the third most polluting industry in the world—at least when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions—after electricity and heat, agriculture, road transportation, and oil and gas production. That’s still one hell of an impact—and something we should all want to do something about.

Myth 2: Leather is a by-product of the meat industry

Though many justify buying leather by assuming the skins of animals in the meat industry will be discarded anyway, this isn’t actually the case. Contrary to popular belief, leather is a profitable resource or ‘co-product’, not simply an incidental by-product of the meat industry. Not to mention, the most “luxurious” leather is taken from newborn veal calves and sometimes even unborn calves taken prematurely from their mother’s wombs. If you want to learn more, we highly recommend looking at our article on the realities around this profitable material.

Myth 3: Faux fur is an ethical or sustainable option

Though faux fur has been touted as an ethical alternative to real fur, much faux fur on the market is made from non-biodegradable and chemical-laden materials such as nylon, acrylic, and polyester that are notorious for shedding microfibres. And sadly, in 2017, a scandal in the UK highlighted that you can’t always trust the labels on your clothes. Several high street brands, including Missguided and House of Fraser, were found to have incorrectly labelled faux fur products made out of cat fur.

This issue likely goes beyond just a handful of stores, as the vast quantities of fur being produced worldwide mean that real fur is becoming cheaper to produce than faux fur. We suggest avoiding both real fur and faux fur (unless it’s clearly made from sustainable materials) or buying it second hand.

Myth 4: Real leather is better for the environment than vegan leather

Short answer? Not always. It’s true many fake leather products are made out of plastic-based materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is non-biodegradable and produced using toxic chemicals that have terrible effects on both the environment and factory workers. Polyurethane (PU) which is also frequently used is somewhat less harmful, but still not ideal for the environment. But did you know animal leather often has a more significant impact on the planet than even PU and isn’t necessarily biodegradable, depending on how it’s treated? 

While leather is a classic, durable, and ‘natural’ material that can last a lifetime, its production can also be highly detrimental to people and the planet. Thankfully, there are eco-friendly leather alternatives on the market right now that are far more ethical and often more sustainable.

Myth 5: By donating your old clothes, you’re helping the environment and people in need

Particularly in affluent Western countries, shoppers now consume cheap, low-quality fashion at such a rate that charities and op-shops can barely begin to deal with the vast amounts of clothes being dumped on them. Not only is the sheer volume of clothing a major issue, but the declining quality of donated clothes means that many of these are unsalable and end up in landfills anyway! To make matters worse, according to a recent report by the ABC, a lot of this poor-quality clothing ends up flooding the local markets of places like Ghana. It sadly completes its journey by contributing to an “environmental catastrophe”, turning parts of the country into mountains of toxic landfill made from “dead white man’s clothes”.

Any environmental benefit created by donating our old clothes is undone when we simply fill up the newfound space in our wardrobes with brand new clothes. Next time you’re about to donate some of your old clothes, why not give them a second chance at life by upcycling them, getting them tailored, selling them online, or throwing a clothes swap party? If you are determined to donate, give your local charity shops a call to make sure they’re currently in need of your good quality items.

Myth 6: Ethical clothing is too expensive

We won’t pretend that spending $50 on an organic cotton t-shirt instead of $5 on a cheaply made one is a realistic choice for everyone. For many, one look at the price tag on an item of ethical clothing is enough to turn them off for good. We’re here to tell you that it shouldn’t.

Clothing prices used to be much higher, and the production of more sustainable fashion harkens back to our roots. New clothing more than a few times a year was a rarity quite recently in history, and in just the last twenty years, the price of clothing has plummeted to the pitiful prices we see today. There is so much more that goes into a price tag than the cost of the fabric. There’s also the cost of paying a living wage and taking care of our Earth. “Cost per wear“ is a rule adopted by many interested in giving their wardrobe an ethical overhaul or with a particular budget in mind. It considers how many uses (or “wear”) you can get per item of clothing, and the more wears, the better the investment. Our mindset as consumers needs to shift away from the culture of instant gratification and materialism that often goes hand-in-hand with exploitation. The unrealistic and unsustainable price points surrounding us have warped our expectations, and something’s gotta give.

Also, don’t underestimate second hand clothing. If you have some time to dedicate browsing through op shops, VInted, or Vestiaire Collective listings, you might just find your new favourite piece for a fraction of the original price.

So there you have it—6 fashion industry “facts” we’ve busted wide open. It’s a confusing and contradictory world out there, so good on you for taking a moment to learn what’s what about the latest myths in fashion.

The post Fashion Myths: 6 Fashion Industry ‘Facts’ Explained appeared first on Good On You.

Here at Good On You, one of the three areas we are most passionate about and look closely at when rating brands is animal welfare. When most of us think of vegan fashion, images of baggy hemp shirts and daggy, orthopaedic grandma shoes immediately spring to mind. This may have once been the case, but not anymore! Read on to discover the best vegan clothing brands out there that look good, do good by our animal friends, and deserve your support.

Our favourite vegan fashion brands

Today, we challenge you to forget what you think you know about vegan fashion: there’s a huge variety of more ethical alternatives to animal products on the market that look just as good as the real thing, minus the cruelty. However, it’s worth remembering that just because something is vegan, that doesn’t necessarily guarantee it’s more ethically or sustainably made. Fast fashion still perpetuates cruelty in a number of other ways, including using up precious natural resources and not paying workers a living wage.

So we’ve rounded up the top rated vegan clothing brands out there: these cruelty-free brands are stylish and innovative and cater to a wide range of tastes, so there is something for everyone. And even if you’re not vegan, or environmental or labour issues are more important to you, all of these brands rate “Good” or “Great”, which means they are also making an effort for people and the planet. That’s some solid intersectionality we love to see.

The post Cruelty-Free Fashion: 32 Stylish Vegan Clothing Brands We Know You’ll Love appeared first on Good On You.

Vegan accessories brand Matt and Nat began in 1995, when its founders became inspired by the MAT(T)erial and NATure they were surrounded by in stunning Montreal, Canada. Though Matt and Nat is clearly doing great on the animal welfare front, how does it rate in terms of its environmental policies and labour standards? How ethical is Matt and Nat? Keep reading to learn more about Matt and Nat’s “Not Good Enough” rating. This article is based on the Matt and Nat rating published in May 2021.

Veganism has gone mainstream, and with it, the demand for vegan fashion has rocketed skywards. Add to that the devastating impacts of the modern leather industry and it’s easy to see why Matt and Nat’s cruelty-free accessories have developed a loyal following.  But is being vegan enough to be truly ethical?

Environmental impact

Matt and Nat does use some sustainable and recycled materials in its designs, including recycled nylon, cork, rubber, and even recycled bicycle tyres. It also recycles materials that would otherwise end up in landfill—all linings used in its products are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, which is a great move.

Unfortunately, while Matt and Nat’s use of sustainable materials should be commended, the brand’s most commonly used materials are polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic. Sadly, PVC is probably the single most environmentally-damaging plastic! Made out of chlorine and petroleum, the manufacturing process of PVC use a lot of resources, and it releases a lot of toxic chemicals. It contains nasty substances such as phthalates and dioxins, which a number of studies have shown to potentially cause adverse health effects including cancer and birth defects. Concerns surrounding these chemicals have led Greenpeace to call for the discontinuation of PVC production altogether.

The brand says it prefers to use the less harmful PU over PVC where possible. However, it’s not clear exactly how much PVC is used—it does not clearly list the materials used in each of the products.

What’s more, there is no evidence the brand avoids hazardous chemicals in its supply chain or that it implements water reduction initiatives.

Matt and Nat’s environmental impact is “Not Good Enough”. The brand could improve its score by being more transparent about the materials and chemicals it uses in its products and by using leather alternatives that are better for the environment. The brand could also provide additional information about how it addresses the impact of its operations on the environment.

Labour conditions

Matt and Nat’s labour rating is also “Not Good Enough”. Its products are made in small factories in China, a high-risk country for poor labour conditions. The brand states that it only works with factories that operate in line with its ethos and says it regularly verifies factory conditions are up to standard. However, it does not state exactly how often it visits the factories. It also fails to mention what specific measures it undertakes to ensure that these standards are being upheld. It provides no evidence that it has, or requires suppliers to use, a Code of Conduct.

Matt and Nat states that one of its factories is certified under the SA8000 standard, which ensures the basic human rights of its workers by providing a sufficient living wage, no discrimination, and a safe workplace. The brand also maintains that all its factories qualify for the SA8000 standard certification and that it’s taking steps to make the standard a bigger part of the production process in the future, without specifying what steps they are taking or when they will be implemented. We also found no evidence that Matt and Nat ensures the payment of a living wage in its supply chain.

In addition, Matt and Nat’s use of PVC to produce some of its products poses a significant risk to factory workers and producers. Most concerningly, vinyl chloride, the chemical used to make PVC, is a known human carcinogen according to the World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Workers in factories that manufacture PVC are at risk from high exposure to these chemicals. They can also contaminate the surrounding air, waterways, and soil, potentially affecting those in nearby communities.

In addition, while PU is kinder on the environment than PVC, it is not a perfect leather alternative. PU releases toxic compounds called isocyanates. These can cause lung irritation, trigger asthma attacks, and irritate skin. This is particularly harmful to factory workers who are regularly exposed.

Matt and Nat needs to ensure its workers are paid a living, and provide more information about its labour standards and how its use of toxic chemicals in its manufacturing processes affects its workers before it can achieve a higher rating.

Animal welfare

No room for improvement here! Matt and Nat is a fully vegan brand that uses no animal products, so it gets a “Great” score on the animal welfare front.

Overall rating: Not Good Enough

We’ve given Matt and Nat a rating of “Not Good Enough” based on our own research. We commend the brand for its dedication to animal welfare and use of some sustainable materials. However, there are still a number of significant concerns. These need to be addressed before it can achieve a higher rating.

Matt & Nat should improve its transparency when it comes to labelling materials that are used in its products. It needs to tell us more about its plans to move towards more sustainable materials, as well as specific details about the labour standards of the factories it collaborates with. Note that Good On You ratings consider hundreds of issues, and it is not possible to list every relevant issue in a summary of the brand’s performance. For more information, see our How We Rate page and our FAQs.

We should note that Matt and Nat was previously rated “Good” and this is a downgrade that many ethical fashionistas might find surprising, given the brand’s profile. We revisited the brand’s rating after a number of people asked us to take another look at its environmental and social record. As always, we want to give you the most thorough and trusted ethical rating and will always update a rating when necessary.

See the rating.

Luckily, we’ve found some ethical vegan alternatives to Matt and Nat, that are just as beautiful but have a better impact on people and the planet!

For other vegan leather alternatives that are plastic-free and just as gorgeous, check out our article on eco-friendly vegan leather alternatives!

Good Swaps

Ethical alternatives to Matt and Nat

The post How Ethical Is Matt and Nat? appeared first on Good On You.

But when you consider how many cosmetic products are being sold just in the US alone – the beauty industry made over $93 billion in revenue in 2019 – that’s a lot of non-biodegradable packaging ending up in landfill. On top of this, many chemicals in cosmetics have a disastrous environmental effect when they accumulate in waterways.

Note (April 2020): Amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, many shopfronts and centres are closed to the public and may not be accepting makeup and cosmetics for recycling. However, now is a great time to do a clean out while so many of us are stuck at home! Why not put aside everything that you need to get rid of in a box or bag, and keep an eye out on the initiatives mentioned below (or any others in your local area), ready to be shipped or dropped off on the other side of the crisis?

So, what can we do about it?

While there are some brands like Lush and MAC who offer rewards for recycling their products, it’s unclear exactly where the waste ends up and how effective these programs actually are.

If you want to be sure that your old cosmetics won’t create waste, look to TerraCycle. Tom Szaky, a Princeton dropout with a passion for sustainability, founded the company in 2001. He’s managed to grow his fledgling enterprise into an innovative global recycling company! Operating in over 20 countries, TerraCycle collects and repurposes almost any kind of waste product for free.

TerraCycle has now partnered with Garnier to create a recycling program specifically for beauty products in the USA. The program is currently accepting haircare, skincare and cosmetics packaging, including shampoo and conditioner bottles and caps, hairspray caps, lotion dispensers, gel tubes, lipstick cases, mascara tubes, compacts, palettes, foundation bottles, concealer tubes and eyeliner pencils.

How does it work?

All you have to do is collect all your unwanted beauty packaging in a postage box (it doesn’t have to be clean, just make sure any excess product is removed), sign up to TerraCycle in your respective country, download and print off a shipping label for your box, then post it for free to your local recycling depot.

For donations of 10 lbs or more, each piece of waste earns two TerraCycle Points. You can redeem your points and convert them into a donation to one of TerraCycle’s nominated charities or they can go toward a non-profit organization, school or charity of your choice. So not only will you be reducing your environmental footprint, you’ll be giving back to organizations making real, positive change in the world. Sign me up!

The minimal look

At Good On You, we support initiatives looking to reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfill. However, we also believe that less is more, which is an important idea to keep in mind when shopping for cosmetics.We recommend going for quality over quantity when it comes to cosmetics. You can start by creating a shortlist of your favourite cruelty-free products. Also, keep an eye out for products that have been independently certified as fair trade or organic, and use minimal packaging. Then, purchase only what you need!

Also wondering what to do with your old clothes ?

Here’s how to get more mileage out of your clothing.

The post How to Recycle Your Old Cosmetics appeared first on Good On You.

Before we look at the good stuff, here’s what to avoid

These non-vegan ingredients are common in hair and skin products, so always check the label:

• Carmine a.k.a. cochineal, natural red 4, E120, and C.I. 75470 (made from crushed cochineal beetles to make red pigment used in nail polishes, lip products, blushes, and eyeliners)
• Glycerine a.k.a. Glycerin, glycerol (sometimes derived from animal fats, sometimes used in soaps, haircare, makeup, and moisturisers)
• Lanolin (a waxy substance in sheep’s wool, often used in lip products and hair products)
• Beeswax, apitoxin (bee venom), honey, bee pollen, miel
• Collagen (derived from animal tissue, bones or skin, used in many anti-ageing and lip-plumping products)
• Lactic acid (derived from milk products, used in anti-ageing and moisturising products)
• Shellac (made from lac bugs, used in nail products and some hair lacquers)
• Casein a.k.a. sodium caseinate or caseinate (derived from cow’s milk, sometimes used in conditioning hair products and face treatments)
• Elastin (protein extracted from the muscles, ligaments or aortas of animals, often used in anti-ageing products)
• Keratin (comes from the hair and horns of animals, often found in strengthening nail and hair products)
• Stearic Acid (generally derived from pigs’ stomachs, sometimes used in deodorants, soaps, hair products, and moisturisers)
• Guanine (fish scales, often used in sparkly nail polish, bronzers, highlighters and blushes)
• Oleic acid a.k.a. oleyl stearate, oleyl oleate or tallow (animal fat, sometimes used in nail polish, soap, moisturisers and make-up)
• Squalene (shark liver oil extract, commonly used in lip balms, deodorant and moisturisers)
• Animal hair (often used in makeup brushes and false eyelashes)

The following brands are either certified by Choose Cruelty-Free or are officially listed by PETA as a brand that does not practice animal testing.

Face

A great base is the key to keeping your makeup looking fresh and radiant. Choose a cleansing and moisturising routine that works with your skin type. This then ensures that your face is the best possible blank canvas.

Toner

Free from parabens and phthalates, and also 100% cruelty-free and vegan, the Alba Botanica Hawaiian Facial Toner purifies and minimises pores with soothing aloe vera, witch hazel, and cucumber extracts.

While a bit pricier, Lush offers a range of toners to suit any skin type that are made from mostly natural ingredients. Lush’s range includes bath bombs, bath oils, soaps, scrubs, face masks, lotions, and gels. They’ll leave your skin looking and smelling amazing.

You can also make your own vegan toner out of ingredients you can find in your pantry!

Facial moisturiser

The Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Beautiful Day Cream contains no artificial fragrances or harsh chemicals, so it’s perfect for those with sensitive skin. Made from 100% vegan, cruelty-free, certified organic, and fair trade ingredients, this hydrating cream revives skin while bringing out that ‘rosy’ complexion.

Those with oily, acne-prone skin will love Alba Botanica’s Acnedote Oil Control Lotion. Affordable, cruelty-free, and formulated with salicylic acid and willow bark extract, this lotion targets blemishes for a visibly clearer complexion.

Cleanser

Pacifica offers a range of affordable cleansers to suit any skin type. Their 100% vegan and cruelty-free Sea Foam Complete Face Wash combines coconut water and sea vegetables. Not only does it gently cleanse skin, but doubles as a makeup remover!

A new skincare trend that is gaining traction in the beauty sphere is the oil cleansing method. It’s simple –  Take your favourite organic oil, such as olive oil, coconut oil, or jojoba oil, then massage it gently into your face and neck for one to two minutes. The oil works as a great makeup remover and also picks the dirt out of your pores. Your complexion is therefore left clean and hydrated. Oil cleansing might not be suitable for all skin-types, so make sure to patch test first, and be careful with harsher oils like tea tree!

Scrub

Now that we know the damage to our oceans caused by plastic microbeads, face scrubs containing the problematic particles are definitely out of the question.

But it’s super quick, cheap, and easy to make your own face scrub out of ingredients you can find in your pantry!

Face mask

Pacifica has a number of affordable, vegan and cruelty-free face masks. Their Stress Rehab Coconut & Caffeine Facial Mask is the perfect antidote for when your skin is a bit under the weather. It combines coconut, caffeine, green tea, and turmeric to purify, therefore brightening and re-balancing stressed skin.

Have a spare minute? That’s how long it will take you to whip up one of these easy face masks out of ingredients you can find in your kitchen.

Lip balm

Did you know that it’s super easy to make your own organic vegan lip balm? Give it a go! Or for those of us a bit less adventurous, the Hurraw Balms are fantastic vegan, cruelty-free, organic alternatives to Chapsticks. They come in a huge range of scents and are available online and in stores worldwide.

Hair

Shampoo and conditioner

Lush offers a range of beautifully scented, natural and handmade shampoos, conditioners, and treatments to suit all hair types. While all Lush products are 100% cruelty-free, not all are vegan, but you will find those are clearly labelled.

Andalou Naturals offers a range of natural, vegan and cruelty-free hair care products.  They are all made from at least 70% certified organic and fair trade ingredients.

Dry shampoo

The Lush No Drought Dry Shampoo is made from 100% vegan and mostly natural ingredients including cornflour, grapefruit oil, and lime oil, to keep your hair feeling soft and looking fresh and clean.

The Batiste Original Dry Shampoo is vegan and sulfate free, with an easy-to-love scent that matches any mood.

Why not make your own 2-ingredient dry shampoo? All you need is cornstarch and lavender essential oil!

Hairspray

Hairspray can be full of nasty chemicals that leave your hair dry and frizzy. The Aveda Witch Hazel Hair Spray is certified cruelty-free, non-aerosol, and made in a factory that is 100% wind-powered!

Made from at least 70% Certified Organic and Fair Trade ingredients, the Andalou Naturals Sunflower & Citrus Brilliant Shine Hairspray is rich in Vitamin E, which nourishes and conditions hair to give it a beautiful shine.

For those who want an effective cruelty-free hairspray that won’t break the bank, why not give this tried and tested recipe for an all-natural vegan hairspray a whirl?

Hair dye

Getting your hair dyed at a professional salon may be the safest option, but it ain’t cheap! Plus, it can also be tricky to find a salon that uses cruelty-free and vegan products. So why not do it yourself?

Lush offers a range of natural henna dyes made from essential oils and fair trade organic cocoa butter which makes your tresses glossy and soft. The dye develops differently according to your hair tone, to create your own personal shade.

For those wanting semi-permanent hair colour while avoiding ammonia or peroxide, Manic Panic creates 100% vegan and cruelty-free hair dyes in a range of rock ‘n roll colours.

Lime Crime is a certified vegan and cruelty-free beauty brand that makes a range of “unicorn hair” products. As the name suggests, they come in every colour of the rainbow!

Hair treatment

Lush offers a range of handmade hair treatments that will have your locks looking healthy and beautiful. Their Hair Doctor Hair and Scalp Mask combines moisturising seaweed, extra virgin coconut oil, peppermint and rosemary extracts, Irish moss powder, chamomile blue oil, and fuller’s earth. All of this goodness combines to gently cleanse the scalp and hydrate your hair.

The humble coconut oil really is a miracle product! Not only is it yummy, but it is an effective moisturiser, makeup remover, and hair product. Rub a handful of oil into your wet hair and leave it in for 15 minutes. When time is up, wash it out with shampoo to reveal shiny and healthy locks.

Body

Moisturiser

While they used to be owned by L’Oreal (which tests on animals), The Body Shop was sold to Natura in 2017 – animal lovers rejoice! Over the past three decades, The Body Shop has worked alongside Cruelty-Free International in advocating for a worldwide ban on animal testing. The brand is also dedicated to sustainable practice and has helped restore rainforests and protect endangered species in India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia. Though The Body Shop offers a huge variety of luxurious moisturisers, you can’t go past the classic Cocoa Butter Body Butter. It’s made from fair trade cocoa beans and enriched with Community Trade coconut oil. With this combo, it provides 48-hour ultra-rich moisture, which is perfect for dry skin.

Though a bit more expensive, Lush’s wide range of moisturisers are totally worth the investment. The Charity Pot Hand and Body Lotion is made from nourishing Fair Trade olive oil, Colombian cocoa butter, and Shea butter, but most notably with every purchase, 100% of the price is donated to small, grassroots organisations.

Exfoliating scrub

Frank Body is a cruelty-free brand that offers a range of natural vegan body scrubs. They are made from coffee grounds which will have your skin feeling refreshed and full of life.

Deodorant

Lush offers a range of handmade deodorant powders and solid deodorant blocks. They use natural ingredients such as bicarb soda, cream of tartar, and essential oils.

Schmidt’s Naturals makes award-winning certified cruelty-free and vegan deodorants that come in a range of packaging and scents.

Shaving cream

Lush offers a range of shaving bars and creams that will help you achieve that perfect, smooth shave every time.

You can also double-up your conditioner as shaving cream, or even use coconut oil!

Soap

Dr Bronner’s all-in-one soaps are biodegradable and vegan. Gentle and versatile, they can be used for washing body, face or hair!

Perfume

For perfume, Lush has you covered. Not only do they smell amazing, but their design is on point! They have a range of both solid and liquid perfumes in bottles so cute, you’ll have to repurpose them when they’re finished! All their perfumes are 100% cruelty-free and vegan.

Pacifica offers a range of paraben-free perfumes made from natural essential oils in roll-on, solid, and liquid varieties. For more classic scents like vanilla and musk, and some delicious fragrance mist options, hop back onto The Body Shop.

For a heady scent without the hefty price tag, why not try and make your own perfume? You can make solid perfume with just 3 ingredients!

The takeaway here is that going cruelty-free and natural doesn’t need to break the bank. There are even some products you can make at home that are much better than anything you’ll find in a shop  – and with much less waste too! Go forth and conquer, cruelty-free babes!

The post The Ultimate Guide to Cruelty-Free Hair & Skincare on a Budget appeared first on Good On You.

A growing number of consumers are realising the significant ethical and environmental impacts of the modern fur industry, putting pressure on brands to go fur-free. In the past six months alone, a slew of designer brands including Versace, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Furla, John Galliano, Donna Karan, Tom Ford and Michael Kors have announced that they are no longer using fur in their lines. What’s more, San Francisco has recently become the largest U.S. city to ban the sale of fur. Although real fur is on the way out, faux fur is quickly rising up to take its place. From coats, to shoes, to keychains, designer and fast fashion brands alike have jumped on the faux fur bandwagon.

What is faux fur made from?

A growing body of evidence also points to the significant environmental impact of microfibres, the microscopic plastic particles that shed from synthetic garments every time they are washed. This poses a huge problem for our ocean life, which is ingesting these plastic fibres. It’s also a threat to human health as we consume these sea animals (and the plastic inside them!) According to a 2016 study, synthetic jackets released an average of 1,174 milligrams of plastic microfibers when washed!

If you already own synthetic garments, Patagonia sells a laundry bag that helps trap the plastic microfibres that are released from your clothes every time you wash them.

Faux fur isn’t always fake

In a disturbing new trend, real fur is actually being passed off as faux fur to unknowing shoppers. In 2016, an investigation by the charity Humane Society International UK uncovered that some products labelled as “faux” fur products from British high street stores Missguided and House of Fraser were found to actually found to be made from real fur after they were tested by a fibres expert. The sad truth behind this scandal is that there is so much fur being produced under terrible conditions in countries such as China that it’s actually cheaper to produce and buy than faux fur. While some companies who are wanting to increase their profit margin might be falsely labelling their garments to deceive shoppers, often sellers are unaware that their products contain real fur.

The fast fashion problem

The main issue with faux fur is that it’s a trend that has been well and truly hijacked by the unsustainable and unethical fast fashion industry. Focused on fleeting styles made from poor quality materials using cheap labour, fast fashion brands prioritise profit over people, the planet and animals. There has been no shortage of faux fur items on the market – from jackets in every colour, to fur-lined loafers and fluffy keychains. In a week’s time, these styles will be replaced by new ones, creating a never-ending demand for new, ‘on-trend’ products.

So what are the ethical alternatives?

1. Buy less, buy quality, buy timeless

At Good On You we believe the old adage that less is more. Before buying a faux fur garment, ask yourself if you really need or want it. A helpful way to answer this question is to calculate the cost-per-wear of the garment:

Cost-per-wear = Total cost of the item x estimated number of days you’ll wear it

For example, if you buy a faux fur coat for $100 and wear it once a fortnight for a year, the cost-per-wear comes to about $3.85. On the other hand, if you only end up wearing that $100 coat once or twice, the total cost-per-wear is very pricey!

We also recommend that you focus on buying a high-quality garment.  A 2016 study conducted by Patagonia showed that these produce fewer microfibres than cheaper quality materials. Finally, rather than buying into the fleeting trends of fast fashion that want you to keep buying their products, consider opting for a timeless piece over something that will probably be passé in a month’s time.

2. Buy second hand

There are no shortage of fake (and real) second hand fur garments on the market. Check out your nearest thrift store, vintage boutique, second hand market, eBay, Etsy, as well as a number of other online second hand retailers that have sprung up in recent years. Buying second hand not only significantly decreases your carbon footprint, as no new resources are being consumed, but it’s often great for your bank account too!

3. Buy ethical alternatives

You don’t have to buy real or faux fur to make a bold statement with your outfit. Check the free Good On You app for brands that make awesome wearables from eco materials.

Learn more about sustainable and ethical materials.

The post What’s The Problem With Faux Fur? appeared first on Good On You.

All across the world, in more than 100 countries, fashion lovers will be asking their favourite brands ‘Who Made My Clothes’ on social media and taking part in some of the many talks, clothes swaps and the many film screenings and events there are to choose from.

Last year more than two-and-a-half million people got involved in Fashion Revolution week. It’s quite simply the biggest week in the calendar for ethical fashion.

This year is particularly special. It’s exactly five years since the devastating Rana Plaza Factory collapse in Bangladesh that was the catalyst for Fashion Revolution. Many of us will be looking back on how far our movement has come, and the real change that’s starting to happen in the industry.

Over the past year especially, we’ve seen a massive increase in the conversations around these issues. A growing number of brands are taking steps to improve their sustainability and transparency, more celebrities are taking on the Green Carpet Challenge and Vogue Australia published their first ever sustainability issue, featuring Good On You!

Despite all these wins, there’s still much progress to be made. Change doesn’t happen overnight, and every little bit counts toward achieving that end goal of a more sustainable, transparent and ethical fashion industry.

Want to get involved? Here are five things you can do this week to be a part of the Revolution!

1. Join the conversation on social media

Use the hashtag #whomademyclothes to call out a brand, inform others about ethical issues in the fashion industry and to feature your favourite brands that are already doing the right thing by people, the planet and animals.

2. Read a book or buy a copy of Issue 2 of the Fashion Revolution fanzine

Educate yourself (and others) about the problems faced by the fashion industry by picking up one of these fantastic reads, including Elizabeth Cline’s Overdressed and Clare Press’ Wardrobe Crisis. Another recent title is Slave to Fashion, written by People Tree  founder Safia Minney, which looks at how both consumers and brands can help eradicate slave labour in the fashion industry.

If you prefer to read in small bites, why not pick up the latest issue of the bi-annual Fashion Revolution fanzine? LOVED CLOTHES LAST explores the huge issue of waste and overconsumption in the fashion industry, and includes a jam-packed 124 pages of poetry, illustration, photography, infographics, articles, tips and interviews with leaders of the circular fashion movement as well as leading innovators in textile recycling.

3. Attend a FRW event

From the 23rd-29th of April, there are scores of great events being held across the globe, including workshops, film screenings and talks. Highlights include a ‘Who Made My Activewear’ Panel and Pop-up shop in London, an Eco Fashion Expo in New York, a film screening in Adelaide an Open Studio in Shanghai to name just a few. Check out what’s happening near you!

4. Help educate others by getting involved in the campaign

Fashion Revolution has created a number of educational resources for all ages in English, Portuguese and Polish that you can use in the classroom or even just among your friends. You can design a Fashion Revolution Week poster, play a Fashion Ethics Trump Card Game or take a quiz! The materials cover a number of issues within the fashion industry, including globalisation, workers’ rights, supply chain transparency, material sourcing, global citizenship, sustainable development and ethical business practices. Register here to access the free educational resources.

If you’re a uni student, you can apply to become a Fashion Revolution Student Ambassador to organise a FRW event on campus. UK students can email educationfashionrevolution.org telling them the name of your university, your course and why you want to be part of Fashion Revolution. If you are not in the UK, you can contact the Country Coordinator in your country by filling out this contact form.

5. Contact a brand using the Good On You app

Want to let a brand know that you’re not happy with the way they treat people, the planet and animals? You can contact them using the Good On You app. Just download the free app, search for the brand, go to the ‘Your Voice’ section, and write a message that will be sent directly to the brand.

The post 5 Things You Can Do This Fashion Revolution Week appeared first on Good On You.

In light of the launch of a very special sustainability edition of Vogue Australia, we’ve picked our top five favourite moments that Emma Watson slayed as an eco-fashion queen!

When she worked with stylists on the set of Beauty and the Beast to create eco-friendly costume designs.

The 2017 live-action remake of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast not only put a modern spin on the ‘tale as old as time’, it completely revolutionised costume design.  Emma, who was cast as Belle, brought her passion for ethical fashion to the film, collaborating with Oscar-winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran and consultancy Eco-Age to create stunning pieces made from eco-friendly and recycled materials.  About 75% of the materials used in the costumes were from sustainable sources and Belle’s red cape (above) — made from 100% sustainable or vintage materials — really stole the show.

But Emma didn’t stop there — partnering up with her stylist Rebecca Corbin-Murray, she wore ethically-made pieces to every single one of her press tours for the film. She launched her Instagram account The Press Tour to document her outfits as well as her favourite beauty products which are verified by eco-beauty and wellbeing store Content.

When she collaborated with pioneering UK ethical fashion label People Tree, for a series of collections aimed at younger people.

Emma’s relationship with People Tree goes way back to 2009, when the young actor added her creative flare to several of their Fair Trade, organic collections.  Emma not only helped design the clothes, she travelled to Bangladesh to see them being made first-hand.  “I think young people like me are becoming increasingly aware of the humanitarian and environmental issues surrounding fast fashion and want to make good choices but there aren’t many options out there,” she told the Guardian.

When she wore an upcycled, all-black outfit to the 2017 Golden Globes as part of the #Times Up campaign against sexual harassment and sexism in the entertainment industry…

…and took Marai Larasi as her date! Larasi is the Executive Director of Imkaan, a UK-based organisation that prevents and responds to violence against marginalised women, and a co-chair of the End Violence Against Women Coalition.

When she wore a custom dress made from recycled plastic bottles to the 2016 Met Gala Ball.

While others chose to wear glitzy, futuristic dresses in line with the theme ‘Manus x Machina’, Emma thought outside the box.  A joint collaboration between Calvin Klein and Eco-Age, the gorgeous black and white ensemble she wore was made mostly from Newlife — a yarn spun from 100% post-consumer plastic bottles — as well as organic cotton, silk and recycled silver hardware. However, Emma’s outfit was not just sustainable, it was also versatile: the bustier and pants could be detached, providing endless looks that could be worn over and over again. Now that’s innovative!

When she graced the pages of the March 2018 issue of Vogue Australia wearing outfits rated by us!

We’re thrilled to collaborate on the March issue of Vogue Australia, dedicated to sustainability and positive change. We helped ensure the ethical cred of the labels Emma wears and recommends in the issue.

Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Edwina McCann said, “This issue is an opportunity for Vogue to highlight all the positive work and impact that so many extraordinary trailblazers are already having on our environment — changing our thinking and behaviours in the process. It was also a chance to spotlight some of the issues that still need acknowledging, areas in which we can all make improvements to help make the world a more equal, accepting, sustainable and kind place. Who better to lead us in that direction than Emma Watson?”

The March issue of Vogue Australia hit shelves on Monday 26 February 2018. For more information, head to www.vogue.com.au.

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