Is local always better? It’s not that simple

On the topic of international shipping and shopping more sustainably, things can get complicated. If we are purchasing responsibly fashion from the other side of the world, surely any positive impact gained is negated by a negative impact from carbon emissions?

Well, it’s not quite that simple. Every action has a reaction, so what choice has the least negative impact? We break it down for you below.

The journey of a piece of clothing

When understanding the impact of our individual purchases, we need to consider the entire journey the item has taken before it gets to us. Chances are, no matter how responsible a fashion brand might be, that item of clothing has, at some point and in some form, travelled around the world. Bummer.

The standard life cycle of an item of clothing looks something like this:

Source: Common Objective

As the diagram indicates, the journey is complex and lengthy. It’s extremely rare for raw materials to be grown, processed, sewn, and sold all in one location. Each stage of the supply chain has some form of impact on the environment.

When we look at shipping specifically, the impact on the environment is considerable. Ships handle roughly 90% of global trade, transporting nearly 10bnmetric tons (11bn tons) of goods per year. It has been estimated that shipping accounts for 2.5% of of the world’s total CO2 emissions and a 2021 report from the European parliament estimated that number could rise from 2015 levels by as much as 34% by 2050.

Despite this pretty major carbon impact, transport via boat is actually the cheapest and most carbon-efficient option we have right now. A big ship will emit about 10 grams (0.4 ounces) of carbon dioxide to transport 1 metric ton of cargo 1 kilometre (2 tons of cargo 1 mile). That’s roughly half as much as a train, one-fifth as much as a truck, and nearly a fiftieth of what an aeroplane would emit to accomplish the same task. This last point is important—we’ll come back to it shortly.

So, what’s better? Buying online, or buying locally?

The truth is, locally made isn’t always better. Regardless of whether we buy a piece of clothing online or on our local high street, that item has likely already travelled around the world in some form, and had a considerable impact on the environment up to that point in its journey.

Due to harmful time- and cost-cutting initiatives, a high street ‘fast fashion’ item will have a considerably higher carbon footprint overall than its lower-impact counterpart, even if the lower-impact item is coming from the other side of the world.

Fast fashion is often made out of cheap synthetic fibres such as polyester, which uses fossil fuels as its base, and requires a considerable amount of water and energy to produce in comparison to more sustainable options. It’s likely that the clothing has been coloured using synthetic dyes which can not only release chemicals when they come into contact with your skin (not cool), but can leak toxic waste into waterways, resulting in significant environmental and human damage.

The supply chain of a fast fashion brand is also incredibly inefficient with waste. It’s estimated that 35% of all materials will end up as waste sent to landfill. Then we must consider the carbon emissions from the shipping itself, as the item gets sent around the globe to utilise the cheapest labour at each stage of its production.

While the responsible t-shirt you buy online likely has a smaller footprint than the one you’d buy at your nearest H&M, it’s still important to be aware of greenwashing. Many brands, including small and local labels, now put “ethical” or “sustainable” on their Instagram bio or website, with no solid evidence to back up their claims. Don’t be afraid to ask brands where their clothes are made, and remember to use our app or directory to help you decide which brands to support.

There is no perfect solution. However, avoiding fast fashion, buying fewer, quality, and second hand pieces is guaranteed to help shape a better future for all people, the planet, animals.

How to reduce your fashion’s carbon impact

So, how can we reduce our fashion’s carbon impact, even if we are already buying more ethical and sustainable brands? Here are some recommendations:

Support ‘circular’ or anti-waste brands

The number one way to reduce your fashion carbon footprint when buying new is to support brands that champion circular or anti-waste production practices. They will have the lowest carbon footprint of any fashion brand. A completely circular supply chain is difficult to achieve, but there are a number of brands that are making great progress in this space. Look out for the Cradle2Cradle certification and double check the brand’s rating on the Good On You directory if you’re unsure.

• MUD Jeans (“Great”) uses a high proportion of lower-impact materials including GOTS certified cotton and it creates high-quality, long-lasting products. Every step of the life cycle for all of its products has circular principles fully embedded including for design, materials, production techniques, and end of life.
• Greek brand Théla (“Great”) creates handcrafted fashion and lifestyle accessories with plastic waste. Witnessing the increasing reliance and problems around disposable plastics and over-consumption, founder Diti Kotecha is on a mission to inspire change, diverting plastic from filling landfills, polluting oceans, and harming wildlife.
• Neem (“Good”) designs and makes stunning menswear from recycled materials.  With a purchase of their Wear Well Bag, customers receive a compostable returns bag to send in their unwanted shirts to be recycled into new shirts and £30 credit towards their first order. Helping to protect the planet, one shirt at a time.
• A.BCH (“Great”) is an Australian-made fashion label focused on circularity and driven by a mission “to transform the way people buy, wear, and discard clothing.” The brand focuses on eliminating material and energy waste through pre-user, user, and post-user phases whilst creating beautiful, design-led clothing for its customers to love and enjoy. And when the garments reach the end of their life, send them back to A.BCH for effective recycling.
• Malaika New York (“Good”) is a minimalistic, more sustainable clothing brand with a focus on anti-waste clothing and accessories. The US-based brand aims to eliminate fashion’s harmful environmental effects by using lower-waste patterns and maximising wearability.

Support brands that support environmental organisations

The next best thing is to support brands that donate money towards organisations that are helping to combat climate change. Look for brands that have environmental protection at the heart of their mission, and support organisations such as 1% for the planet or are B Corp certified.

• TAMGA Designs (“Good”) has made it their mission to fight deforestation. Through 1% for the planet, every sale donates 1% to the Sumatran Orangutan Society (S.O.S) and Orangutan Information Centre (OIC), both of which actively work to re-plant the Sumatran rainforest. The brand also uses forest-friendly, more responsible fibres in all of its clothing.
• Patagonia (“Good”) belongs to both the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and 1% For The Planet. It rejects fast fashion by creating high-quality, long-lasting products, and offers a repair and reuse program. It even goes so far as to discourage customers from purchasing too many of its products.

Don’t use fast shipping

Selecting the fast shipping option means that your item will be delivered to you via aeroplane instead of a cargo ship. As we mentioned earlier, transporting via aeroplane results in significantly more carbon emissions than via ship.

Use in store or centralised pick-up options

If you have the option, using these delivery options will reduce your personal carbon footprint as it will mean less courier van transport—couriers can deliver bulk deliveries to these locations instead of having to go door-to-door. Collect your items via public transport, by bike, or on foot for bonus points.

Try to reduce your consumption generally

Adopt a minimalist approach with a capsule wardrobe, and only purchase items that you really need, that are high-quality, and will last you a long time. Or try to find pre-loved items from your local vintage boutique. See our guide on how to build a capsule wardrobe, or the best spots for second hand shopping.

The single best thing we can do for the planet is to keep our gear in use longer and cut down on consumption.

Patagonia

Other downsides of international shipping

Of course the environmental impact of international shipping may not be your only concern. Many counties apply import taxes, so make sure you understand the additional cost before placing that overseas order or you may be in for a nasty surprise. Returns are also a hassle, so be aware of that risk if the sizing is wrong or there is another problem with your order.

The post Fashion’s Carbon Footprint: The Ins and Outs of International Shipping appeared first on Good On You.

‘Hygge’ is the Danish way of living. To embrace hygge (pronounced ‘hue-gah’) is to create an atmosphere of warmth, wellbeing, and cosiness, to feel at peace and able to enjoy simple pleasures and be in the moment. Think candles, soft blankets, and earthy tones. Heavenly, right?

With this as their philosophy, it’s no wonder that the Danes are ranked as some of the happiest people in the world. They are also ranked as some of the most fashionable people in the world! Channelling hygge into their way of dressing, the coveted Danish style is relaxed, minimalistic, and uncomplicated.

Given recent events, the timing couldn’t be better for us to embrace the Danish attitude of hygge, both in our way of living, and way of dressing. Here, we share how to dress like a Dane, sustainably.

Quality over quantity

The Danish are champions of the capsule wardrobe—having a small number of quality items that go well together, as opposed to a bulging, mismatched collection of clothing.

If you’re looking for quality basics, look no further than Copenhagen-based brand, Woron. They produce vegan underwear and fashion basics that are fully Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, such as this high neck top—a wardrobe essential.

The post Hygge or The Art of Coziness: How to Dress like a Dane appeared first on Good On You.

Hey guys, do you wear a collared shirt to work? Whether it’s the classic corporate look, something more casual, or a uniform chosen by your employer, finding an ethical business shirt that’s adaptable and clean cut isn’t the easiest task.

There’s more variety around than ever when it comes to shopping for an ethical wardrobe, and this extends to our work wear too. A quality, ethical work shirt can be adapted to wear with multiple outfits throughout the week, will last you through trends, and maybe even through multiple jobs.

But more variety doesn’t necessarily make your choices easier! Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered. Here’s our selection of six ethical business shirts to help you look good and feel good at work. Wear a uniform? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered too!

The post 6 Ethical Shirts for Every Man appeared first on Good On You.

Last month, we announced Emma as an official supporter of Good On You. Here we share some of our favourite ethical fashion moments from Emma Watson, sporting brands rated either Good or Great by us.

Proving a press tour is the perfect opportunity to promote eco-fashion.

 

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Bonjour Paris! Coat is from @stellamccartney, the world’s first luxury brand that is committed to producing products that do not use leather, skins, feathers or fur. Instead, Stella has spent years developing ways of using materials such as regenerated cashmere, recycled fabrics, organic cotton and forest-friendly fabrics. Jumper is from @filippa_k, a Swedish brand committed to four Rs: reducing, repairing, reusing and recycling. Tee by @boodywear, a brand that produces basics made with certified organic bamboo, produced using computerised 3D knitting, so no fabric is wasted. Its factories are zero-waste and have a closed loop system to stop any water being wasted. Bespoke beret by @maisonmichel made with organic cotton. Shoes are @goodguysdontwearleather. The brand doesn’t use any animal products in its collections. Fashion info verified by @ecoage #ecoloves

A post shared by The Press Tour (@the_press_tour) on Feb 19, 2017 at 7:45am PST

Wearing jacket by Stella McCartney (Good), jumper by Filippa K (Good), tee by Boody (Good) and shoes by Good Guys (Good). Source: @The_Press_Tour

Bringing feminism to the Golden Globes red carpet.

 

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An amazing night at The Golden Globes with @jusmarai. Sustainable dress by @ronaldvanderkemp made from discarded fabrics and adorned with an @era50_50 pin (an organization out of the UK campaigning for equal representation for women on stage and on screen) Shoes @creaturesofcomfort, crafted in a small factory outside of Florence. Earring also by RVDK from upcycled materials and jewelry by @lilianvontrapp handcrafted from recycled gold and vintage diamonds. LVT also uses recycled materials for packaging and gives a percentage of each purchase to PACT. Skin prepped with @MUNskincare Aknari Brightening Serum, @Evolueskincare Day and Night Cream Normal + Sensitive Skin, and @TataHarperskincare Illuminating Eye Cream. My staple @rmsbeauty ‘Un’ Cover-Up as concealer & foundation. For Eyes & Brows, @alimapure Natural Definition Brow Pencil in Medium + @100percentpure Green Tea Fiber Brow Builder in Medium, @janeiredale Liquid Liner in Black and @kjaerweis Mascara. Lips – @100percentpure Lip Carmel in Scotch Kiss. Makeup sealed with @mvskincare Rose Hydrating Mist. All brands are cruelty-free and use natural and organic ingredients. Haircut and new fringe by Jenny Harling

A post shared by The Press Tour (@the_press_tour) on Jan 16, 2018 at 5:17pm PST

Wearing a gown made from discarded fabrics by RVDK (Good), with an @era50_50 pin – a campaign for equal gender representation on stage and screen. Source: @The_Press_Tour

Showing us that the perfect faux leather jacket does exist.

 

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Merci beaucoup Paris for the wonderful start to the @beautyandthebeast tour! We felt like we were back in the heart of the film. Next stop – London. Did you know in the French version of the film, Cogsworth is called Big Ben? And Philippe is called Philbert?! Body by @woronstore, a slow fashion brand that focuses on everyday essentials. Each underwear garment is made from Lenzing Modal® fabric, a fibre made from beech wood sourced from sustainable forestry plantations in Europe. Socks by @boodywear, a brand that produces underwear made with certified organic bamboo, produced using computerised 3D knitting, so no fabric is wasted. Its factories are zero-waste and have a closed loop system to stop any water being wasted. Faux leather jacket and dress by @stellamccartney Boots by @goodguysdontwearleather. The brand doesn’t use any animal products in its collections, which are made in Porto, Portugal, helping preserve the traditional shoe making industry of the region. Jewellery by @allbluesofficial, who are based in Stockholm and handcraft every piece in their local, third-generation foundry. Fashion info verified by @ecoage #ecoloves Concealer by @rmsbeauty which is formulated with raw, food-grade and organic ingredients in their natural state. Red pomegranate cheek and lip stain by @thebodyshop, who campaign to ‘Enrich Not Exploit’ by protecting endangered habitats from intensive farming expansion, bronzer by @vitaliberata who have developed a collection of tanning products free from parabens, alcohol and that spray tan smell. Powder by @iliabeauty which is made from organic powdered corn and minerals instead of loose talc. Brown eye pencil by @honest_beauty who champion fair labour and human rights with their Health & Sustainability Standards. Lip balm from @tataharper who formulate and manufacture their natural and organic products from their farm in Vermont. Eyebrow gel by @janeiredale which is certified cruelty-free and eyebrow pencil by @alimapure who make their products in a diverse range of colours to suit all skin tones and offset 100% of their corporate carbon emissions. Beauty product info verified by @contentbeauty

A post shared by The Press Tour (@the_press_tour) on Feb 21, 2017 at 12:54pm PST

Wearing jacket and dress by Stella McCartney (Good), shoes by Good Guys (Good), socks by Boody (Good) and (underneath!) underwear by Woron (Good). Source: @The_Press_Tour

Rocking a pant-suit like a true boss.

 

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So nice to meet everybody at the first day of the Los Angeles @beautyandthebeast junket. The journalist who came dressed up as Lumiere was a particular delight! Jumpsuit by @roland_mouret, who was a producer for the film Ten Billion, which highlights the impact of our growing population on the earth’s resources and covers topics ranging from climate change, ecosystem loss, pollution, and resource depletion. Los Angeles­-based @susistudio design animal-free footwear using sustainable materials such as canvas, hemp, and faux leather produced from recycled plastic bottles. The focus of the brand is to inspire compassion towards humanity, animals, and the environment through creativity #30wears @article_22 upcycle Vietnam War-era bombs, planes, and other aluminium scrap to make Peacebomb jewellery. The more Peacebomb jewellery is worn, the more land is cleared and made safe for the surrounding communities #30wears Fashion info verified by @ecoage #ecoloves Skin prepped by combining Heritage Store Rosewater Glycerin Water with moisturiser and applying all over the face, neck and décolletage. @rmsbeauty “Un” Cover Up was used as foundation and concealer with “Un” Powder to set. RMS Beauty is free from nanotechnology and GMO ingredients. @tataharper Very Bronzing was used on eyes, along lower lash line in contour of eye and under cheekbones. Tata Harper runs her company in the belief that a company that makes products for women should be run by a woman. Eyes were accentuated with @janeiredale Liquid Eyeliner in Black/Brown which is vegan and certified cruelty-free by PETA. Lips are the Sweet & Safe Kiss Lipstick from Ecocert Greenlife-certified @absolution_cosmetics who collaborated with @christophedanchaud_makeup to create this line of lipsticks. Beauty brands verified by @contentbeauty

A post shared by The Press Tour (@the_press_tour) on Mar 5, 2017 at 11:36am PST

Wearing heels by Susi Studio (Good). Source: @The_Press_Tour

And last but not least, featuring ethical brands in her Vogue Australia feature.

Wearing Shirt by PYE (Good). Source: Vogue Australia

We can’t get enough of Emma’s effortless ethical style. Undoubtedly an inspiring woman for so many reasons, we just love how she uses fashion as an opportunity to communicate the values she believes in.

The post We Rate Emma Watson’s Sustainable Looks appeared first on Good On You.

For us Kiwis, there’s that little extra ‘feel-good’ factor when your fashion has been designed and made in New Zealand. By shopping locally made, not only are you supporting a homegrown business, you also reduce the overall carbon footprint of your clothing.

So if you are a Kiwi, here are 5 amazing ethical and sustainable brands that are 100% ‘Made in New Zealand’. Good on You have rated these brands ‘Good’ and ‘Great’ based on their impact on people, the planet and animals. You can rest assured that when you buy from these brands, your dollars will boost support the growing movement towards a more ethical fashion industry.

The post 5 of New Zealand’s Best Ethical and Sustainable Fashion Labels appeared first on Good On You.

One small chance is all it takes to transform a life

Founders of The Fair Trader, John and Bronwyn, were both raised in families that were very much aware of global issues. John was born in Jiagung, a small town near Calcutta, India, and Bronwyn’s parents moved to South Korea soon after the Korean Civil War while she was still very young. They never had the luxury of being blind to poverty and economic injustice. And because of this, they both wanted to be involved in giving opportunities to people from challenged communities like the ones they saw as children.

Before founding The Fair Trader their daughter, Ashleigh, was involved with organisation Urban Neighbours of Hope, which helps neighbourhoods struggling with urban poverty. Through the work she was doing in Bangkok, John and Bronwyn witnessed the amazing transformation of entire communities. In one particular instance, they witnessed the organisation lend a helping hand to a young Thai mother struggling as a street vendor by supporting the publication of her cookbook. Her book was so successful, that she was able to open her own cooking school. She now employs 70 people from the community, has a 5-star rating on Trip Advisor and is able to sponsor other business ventures in her area. Such transformative change, and with giving so little! John and Bronwyn wanted to be involved in providing opportunities like this, and so The Fair Trader opened its doors.

Drop earrings, not bombs

The Fair Trader sells a wide range of products made by people, in Australia and overseas, who live in communities that struggle with economic disadvantage. Each product is carefully chosen by The Fair Trader team. They source beautiful and unique products of high-quality whose production has provided ethical work for people that need it most. Even their shopping bags are ethically made by Bengali artisans!

The people from these communities are just like us! They just need a break. The Fair Trader is an amazing team of people who have come together to make this possible.

Bronwyn

Take their latest find as an example, a beautiful jewellery range made by Small Projects Istanbul. The earrings are made by a group of women from Syria who have fled to Turkey to seek refuge. The project was set up to give the gift of income and inclusion, and together the team have designed the most amazing earrings called “Drop Earrings, Not Bombs”. You can find out more about the range here.

The Fair Trader give their customers the opportunity to purchase gorgeous one-of-a-kind products from all over the world, that bring positive change to poor communities. “We are so proud of the products in our store. We have worked hard seeking products that not only help communities work to build a future for themselves, but are beautiful and functional and suitable for the Melbourne market.”

Ethical at every turn

Everything they do at The Fair Trader they do with mindful attention to its greater impact. The team ensure that there are transparent and positive ethics for every product they stock in store. In most cases, as products are made by poor communities, the products are made with natural components that the community has on hand and can afford, such as jewellery made from recycled machine gun shells, carry bags made from recycled newspapers, toys made from cotton or wool that the community has grown themselves.

If you take the time to visit The Fair Trader you can be assured that the item you are purchasing is respectful and empowering to the people who produced it. “We are so proud of each product and the amazing people who produced them. We have so much fun. We have friends all over the world. If we find a new product for our shop we are filled with joy. We love this work and The Fair Trader,” says Bronwyn.

Moving forward, The Fair Trader team are working hard to build their business into something that is sustainable over the long-term. “It is not positive for the poor communities whom we purchase our products if we cannot continue to support them long term”, explains Bronwyn. They want to support each producer so that they can each generate enough income to empower their communities and help core community development.

The next step is to build a website that allows them to spread their vision wider, helping more and more people discover these beautiful products from around the world. If you too want to help empower communities with your purchases, take a trip to The Fair Trader at 18 Railway Avenue, Ringwood East in Melbourne and get lost in their stories as told through beautiful, hand-made products.

You can also follow their ethical adventures on Facebook and Instagram!

The post The Ethical Shop You Need to Visit Next Time You’re in Melbourne! appeared first on Good On You.

It’s not the clutter itself that causes issues, but the mindset that comes along with having a space filled with stuff. When we live in a society that is obsessed with the collection of things, it’s no surprise that Marie Kondo’s book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up has become a #1 New York Times Bestseller. Her method of organising, called the KonMari Method, has revolutionised how people declutter and organise their spaces (and in turn, their minds).

The KonMari method revolves around the idea that the items you own should bring you joy, and if they no longer serve this purpose, they should be discarded from your life. Belongings are acknowledged for their service and thanked before being sent on their merry way. People are drawn to this philosophy not only due to its effectiveness, but also because it places great importance on being mindful, introspective and optimistic.

Particularly when it comes to buying clothing and the tempting fast fashion industry, it can be easy to end up with a wardrobe overflowing with items you once thought you ‘had to have’ but haven’t worn for years.

So if your wardrobe is causing you angst, let’s “Kondo” it into shape!

1. Firstly take everything out of your wardrobe and organise into categories. Work through your clothing systematically – start with all of your tops, then sort your pants, then dresses, etc.

2. You need to decide what you want to keep, and what you want to discard. To do this, take each item in your hands, feel if it still brings you joy, or if it has come to the end of its useful life with you. Say thank you, and place those items in the ‘discard’ pile. If you are struggling to make a decision it means that item isn’t bringing you enough joy, so say goodbye to this too!

3. While you are carrying out this process be reflective and present. Learn from what you are keeping or not keeping as this can help you make more informed purchasing decisions in the future. Perhaps you don’t like polyester jumpsuits as much as you once did, or noticed you have far too many white t-shirts.

4. Once you have finalised your keep pile for all categories, the key is to now put these away in a magically organised manner. Roll items and store them vertically so you can see them all in your drawer.

5. Wondering what to do with everything in the discard pile? One option is to bag up your discarded clothes and drop them at your nearest thrift store – keeping in mind that this option isn’t without its downsides. You can also take your high-quality clothes directly to the people who need them, such as your local women’s shelter or to programs such as Fitted for Work. If you have items that are too worn or damaged (ask yourself – would you give this item to a close friend?) they may be able to find a new life as industrial rags. From upcycling to clothes-swapping, there are so many ways you can ensure your discards don’t end up in landfill.

Voila! Be proud of yourself, enjoy your new zen wardrobe and most importantly, remember the lessons you learnt to make more informed and mindful purchases in the future.

The post How to Organise Your Closet with the KonMari Method appeared first on Good On You.