• eco-friendly,
  • environmental e-commerce,
  • ethical
  • Inspiring ethical e-commerce brands

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    With a growing consumer conscious it is no surprise that new brands are emerging every week, who offer eco-alternatives to specific products or who just want to make a difference. There are a number of brands that are doing awesome things, all whilst having a minimal effect on the environment. We’ve selected a handful of the best for you to take inspiration from...

     

    01. Patagonia

     
    The gold standard when it comes to environment centric retail brands. Patagonia produce quality outdoor clothing whilst remaining eco-friendly. With a strong message of environmental and social responsibility, they produce their clothing with e-fibres and minimal waste.

    Founded 41 years ago by outdoor enthusiast and all round top boy Yvon Chouinard, the company has pledged that three quarters of its materials are "environmentally preferred" meaning they are recycled, organic or otherwise environmentally sound. Not bad for a business with over 1,300 employees and some $540 million in sales. Patagonia's environmental record stretches back decades through sending a percentage of their profits to environmental preservation groups around the world. They actively encourage their staff to contribute to causes by allowing employees time off of work with full pay to volunteer for environmental organisations. A truly inspiring brand.

    To learn more about the great work they do and how they do it, take a look inside Patagonia. We would also highly recommend reading Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard, a memoir on the education of a reluctant businessman.

     

    02. Swedish Stockings

     

    Founded by Linn Frisinger & Nadja Forsberg, Swedish Stockings sets out to challenge and change the hosiery industry.

    The production methods of the hosiery business use non-renewable fossil fuels and large amounts of energy and water, the effects of which are extremely harmful to the environment. This is why Linn & Nadja sort to create a high-quality alternative that has drastically less impact on the planet. By using a less complicated and more effective process, their tights are made from the by-product of other nylon products that are non-biodegradable.

    With constant innovation they are finding intelligent ways to reduce their impact further through solar powered production, zero-waste factories and purifying the water used during production before it goes back into the ground. Learn more about their process over on their online store.

     

    03. Luva Huva

     

    Ethical lingerie brand and long-term client, Luva Huva instantly spring to mind when we think of e-commerce businesses that do things differently for the good of the planet.

    Founder Joanna Ketterer and her Brighton-based team take an alternative approach to the often wasteful fashion industry. With a core collection that is made from natural and ecologically considerate fabrics, including bamboo, hemp, organic cotton, soy and tencel. Their sustainable method to production includes making products from scratch and recycling remnants, trims and end-of-line fabrics to create limited edition ranges for their customers in an effort to reduce waste. 

    To learn more about the fabrics they use and to explore their latest product range, head over to their online store.

     

    04. Girlfriend Collective

     

    Girlfriend Collective are an eco-friendly apparel for people who care about doing good as well as looking good. They manufacture modern athletic wear using eco-textiles that are made from recycled water bottles, a process which is not dependent on petroleum and diverts bottles from landfill. Truly Awesome. 

    Their focus is on quality, not trends with a dedication to humane manufacturing, using materials that are sustainable and creating a community of people who care about the entire process and not just what is delivered to their door. Check out the story of how they created the eco-brand over on their excellent Shopify store.

     

    05. Naja Lingerie

     

    Naja are a do-good brand that offer premium lingerie with a social impact. This eco-conscious brand came from a passion and a desire to make the world a better place. Their ethical approach uses methods such as digital and sublimation printing technologies to print their garments, which results in reduced water consumption compared to fabric dying techniques. To learn more about how they are empowering their staff and making an environmental difference, read about their ethos.

     

    06. Nudie Jeans

     

    Nudie produce our favourite jeans. Not only do they produce quality products but their jeans are made with 100% organic cotton denim and the brand champions social responsibility and transparent production. They also strive for sustainable consumption with schemes such as free repair services, reselling second hand products and recycling worn out products. Learn all about how they produce their jeans over on their website.

     

    07. Lush

    Lush stand out as a company fully committed to acting responsibly when it comes to both the production of their body and cosmetic product range and the day-to-day running of the company.

    From their conception, they have used creative solutions to create a positive impact in the world. They are transparent about all the environmental aspects of the company, from packaging to materials and waste. All of which is well documented in their environmental policy online.