Currently shopping for eco-clothes online? The thing is, shopping for eco-clothes isn’t exactly the same as shopping for regular fast-fashion clothes!
There are more considerations to keep in mind if you want to make sure that what you’re buying is certified eco-friendly and sustainable. These include knowing which brands to check out and avoid, and looking for environmental certifications.
To help you get started on your online shopping, here are some tips to keep in mind when looking for eco-clothes online!
1. Know your brands
The first step in shopping for eco-clothes online is knowing which brands are actually sustainable and eco-friendly, both in theory and practise.
Go for ethical and eco-conscious brands that not only care about the environment but also protect workers and are transparent about their entire supply chain process!
Once you have a shortlist of eco-friendly brands, consider your personal style next. Ask yourself, “Which of these clothing brands sell pieces that are more aligned with my personal style?”
If you prefer to wear casual and minimalist pieces, then you might want to check out Something to Hold. It’s a local clothing brand that puts a sustainable take on the classics and everyday pieces by using ethically sourced and organic fabrics.
Here’s some good news: whatever your personal style is, whether it’s preppy or streetwear, there’s a sustainable clothing brand out there for you.
2. Watch out for bad actors
Believe it or not, many clothing brands ride on the “sustainable trend” by marketing themselves as a sustainable brand, but in reality still implement practices that harm both the environment and their workers. This is often referred to as “greenwashing.”
That’s why it’s important to do your research on a brand before you add their product to your cart and check out!
Most clothing brands have a section on their website that tells the story of how their brand came to be and the sustainable practises they observe. It shouldn’t take too much of your time to know each clothing brand’s story!
3. Look for environmental certifications
One of the most effective eco-clothes online shopping strategies is checking for environmental certifications!
These environmental certifications are granted by an independent third party to confirm that a certain clothing brand meets the standards from a sustainable and eco-friendly point of view.
In an industry plagued by greenwashing, these environmental certifications are such a huge help to consumers who want to adopt a more sustainable and eco-conscious lifestyle.
Here are some certifications that can help you find the right eco-friendly clothing pieces:
● Singapore Green Labelling Scheme – Singapore’s leading environmental certification, covering the manufacturing, mining, clothing, and agriculture sectors. It’s certified more than 3,800 products across 43 countries.
● Better Clothing Initiative (BCI) – works towards making cotton a more sustainable commodity. A BCI certification means the cotton used is organically grown and ethically sourced.
● Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) – sets the standard for textiles made from organic and sustainable cotton. A GOTS label means the product follows strict environmental standards and contains a minimum of 70% cotton.
● Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) – largest independent facility that tests and certifies apparel and footwear. It certifies factories, not brands, so you won’t see it on tags but on a brand’s website.
4. Lastly, consolidate your deliveries
Sustainability is just about the clothes as it is about how one chooses to shop for them.
Instead of ordering clothes individually, try to consolidate them into a single package by sticking to one online store at a time to lessen the packaging.
Remember that less packaging means less waste!
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