image by Hylo

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the fashion industry a better place!

The Best eco-friendly & Sustainable sneakers

Are you ready to step into a greener future? Sustainable sneakers are poised to revolutionize our approach to footwear, offering not just a stylish look, but also a commitment to ethics and sustainability. Crafted from eco-friendly materials and designed for lasting durability, they provide a chance to reduce our carbon footprint while making a positive impact on the environment. Let’s embrace sustainable sneakers and stride confidently, knowing that you are contributing to a cleaner, healthier planet!

The Environmental Impact of Traditional Sneakers

The fashion industry, including the sneaker market, has historically had a significant negative impact on the environment. Traditional sneakers, which are typically manufactured using synthetic materials and energy-intensive processes, contribute substantially to carbon emissions. The production of these sneakers relies on non-renewable resources like petroleum-based plastics and harmful chemicals, posing a threat to the environment. The disposal of traditional sneakers presents a major environmental concern. Many of these sneakers end up in landfills or polluting water bodies, including oceans, where their non-biodegradable materials can take hundreds of years to decompose. This long-lasting environmental impact is exacerbated by the continually increasing demand for sneakers, resulting in millions of pairs being produced and discarded annually.

What to look for when shopping sustainable sneakers

There are a few things you should look for when shopping for a new pair of running shoes or sneakers, but the most important are materials and manufacturing. First, you want to ensure the shoe's composition is made with the planet in mind. You can find lots of recycled rubbers & natural fibers, and even algae-based materials. Next, do they put ethics at the forefront of their business? Are they treating their workers well? You can usually find this information on their website or look for certifications like 'B Corp' or 'Fair Trade.' While a company can't be perfect within sustainability, the brands listed below will be much better than conventional sneaker brands.

&& ethics and eco-friendliness aside, you want a pair of comfortable, quality sneakers that will last you a long time. From walking to hiking… you name it… one of these pairs of shoes will get you there in ethical style!

Brand Rating Guide:

❤︎ = we like ❤︎❤︎ = we really like ❤︎❤︎❤︎ = we LOVE

Click here to learn how we rate brands on Sustainably Chic

our favorite sustainable sneakers For Running, Walking & Everyday Wear:

1. Marlin V-Knit Running Shoe

❤︎❤︎❤︎

Brand: Veja

Price: $200

Materials: Recycled polyester upper and lining/rubber sole

Veja is a well-established footwear brand that offers a wide range of shoes catering to the needs of the entire family. The brand is dedicated to the mission of creating durable and timeless footwear designs. If you're in the market for sneakers, Veja provides an extensive selection of styles and color options to suit your preferences. What sets Veja apart is its use of organic cotton and recycled polyester in the lining of its shoes. One of the standout attributes of Veja is its transparency regarding its carbon footprint. The company openly shares the individual carbon footprint of each shoe model, allowing consumers to make informed choices about their purchases. In addition, Veja adheres to fair trade principles and maintains direct partnerships with small producers, further emphasizing its dedication to ethical and sustainable practices.

---

2. Bria Go-to-Court Sneaker

❤︎❤︎❤︎

Brand: Nisolo

Price: $160

Materials:  LWG Leather, Rubber

Looking to elevate your sneaker game? Meet the Bria — a minimal, modern sneaker designed to be your go-to choice for casual outings, city escapades, commuting, and any other occasions where comfort is key. Crafted from high-quality, water-resistant leather with a cushioned insole featuring Green EVA for superior arch support, these sneakers are the epitome of both style and functionality. Nisolo, the company behind the Bria, has proudly attained B Corp and Carbon Neutral certification, and is renowned for its commitment to producing ethical footwear. Nisolo is leading the way in fair labor practices, ensuring living wages and ethical work environments for those involved in the production process. They prioritize transparency with regards to their manufacturing processes and have made substantial strides in sustainability and transparency in recent years. Notably, in late 2021, they introduced their groundbreaking Sustainability Facts Label, a pioneering initiative that comprehensively outlines the impact of each product on both people and the planet.

---

3. Catiba Pro High

❤︎❤︎❤︎

*Vegan Options

Brand: Cariuma

Price: $119

Materials: Premium Suede & Organic Cotton Canvas, 100% Slip-Resistant Natural Rubber, Mamona Oil Bio Based Cork Insert

Introducing the innovative CATIBA Pro High skate shoe, designed with both performance and sustainability in mind. These shoes have been meticulously engineered to provide exceptional durability, dynamic movement, and superior grip. The CATIBA Pro High offers optimum board feel, traction, ultimate comfort, and ankle stability with a reinforced flick point, ensuring an unparalleled skating experience. As an added bonus, for every pair of CATIBA Pro High shoes purchased, they pledge to plant two trees, contributing to reforestation efforts. With the CATIBA Pro High, you can skate with confidence, knowing that you're making a positive impact on the planet with every stride!

---

1) Corn Runners

Brand: Hylo Athletics

Price: $135

Materials:  7 Natural Materials, Corn, Algae, Natural Rubber, Vegan

The Corn Runners are the best running shoes I have ever owned. I highly recommend trying these out for yourself!

Then, when you are done using them, you can send them back to be recycled.

---

---

4) Ultraboost 22 Running Shoe

Brand: Adidas

Price: $95

Materials: 50% recycled (ocean plastic)

While we don’t think Adidas is sustainable, we do like that they offer a more sustainable option with their Ultraboost Sneakers. We understand people love their quality, and we believe it's a great start to future sustainable fashion from them!

---

5) Energee in Canyon Clay

Brand: Avre

Price: $145

Materials: Recycled Plastic

I own a pair of shoes from this brand, one of the comfiest pairs of walking shoes I have in my closet. Created with their signature knitted and recycled material, the Energee shoe will fit every contour of your foot without the worry of needing time to break them in. I love this color, too!

---

6) Urban Wooler

Brand: Baabuk

Price: $97

Materials: Upper & inner 100% Portuguese mulesing-free sheep wool, Soft Merino inner lining

I have a pair of Baabuk sneakers, and they are very comfortable! The Urban Woolers are made for warmer weather. The moisture-wicking wool and slip-on, slip-off elastic laces make these sneakers very cool.

---

7) Street Vegan Shoes

Brand: BeFlamboyant

Price: $142

Materials: Corn Waste, Recycled PET & Rubber

The Street Vegan Shoes are entirely animal-free & registered with ‘the Vegan Society,’ the most demanding vegan certification. The sneakers are also zero-waste, packaged in a 100% recycled cardboard box, a plantable card, and a free jute bag.

---

---

9) Cascade Trail

Brand: Forsake

Price: $130

Materials: Waterproof Mesh Upper, Algae-Based Footbed, Vegan

The Cascade Trail is a water-resistant hiking sneaker. We love that the footbed is created with 20% BLOOM - an algae-based product, which will return 32 liters of clean water to habitats and clean 20 cubic meters of air.

---

10) The Lace Up

Brand: Rothy’s

Price: $165

Materials: Recycled Plastic Bottle Knit, Plant-Based Footbed, Bio-Based TPU Outsoles

You can actually throw these into the washing machine! This classic style sneaker also comes in so many different colors.

---

11) Lace Up Sneaker

Brand: Thousand Fell

Price: $120

Material: Natural Rubber, Recycled Plastic, Aloe Vera, Coconut, Sugarcane, and Palm

One of the first circular pairs of sneakers! When you are done with them, send them back so they can recycle them. The Lace Up Sneaker is designed for everyday life and is so comfortable, breathable, & stain/odor resistant! I love mine.

---

12) Primus Lite III

Brand: Vivo Barefoot

Price: $120

Materials: Vegan, Recycled plastics and bio-based materials

It almost feels like you are walking barefoot. With less shoe & less weight, you feel freer than ever in the best-selling Primus Lite. Because you can naturally move in these, your feet are the ones in control rather than the shoe.

---

MAKE SURE TO PIN THE PHOTO BELOW TO SAVE THIS POST FOR LATER!

---

WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

---

related reading you may also enjoy:

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the fashion industry a better place!

THE BEST CLIMATE-NEUTRAL CERTIFIED FASHION BRANDS

As conscious consumers, we want brands to offer sustainable and ethical alternatives to what is already on the market. We want their products to have the lowest environmental footprint possible. 

Thankfully, many brands have understood this and taken action to be more gentle on the Earth and people working in the supply chain. They make their products using more eco-friendly materials and make sure their workers are treated and paid fairly. 

Sustainable brands are also usually very transparent about their manufacturing processes, and they make changes to reduce their waste and pollution as much as possible. Some of them even go the extra mile and choose to offset their carbon emissions, which is a great initiative.

However, purchasing carbon offsets can also be a powerful greenwashing tool used by some brands that want to trick us into thinking they are sustainable, when in reality, they are not. 

Some brands state they are offsetting their carbon footprint to appear as eco-friendly, but they are not doing anything else to reduce their environmental impact. 

That is why it is important to support brands that received the Climate-Neutral certification. This ensures they are actually taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint, in addition to offsetting it. 

In this article, we have selected 15 sustainable brands that are Climate-Neutral certified, so you can help them fight climate change and pave the way toward a zero-carbon world. 

WHAT IS THE CLIMATE-NEUTRAL CERTIFICATION?

Climate Neutral is a non-profit organization supporting brands during their decarbonization journey. It provides them with tools and networks so that they can measure, compensate and reduce their entire carbon footprint, which is so important in this context of climate change. 

The organization certifies brands that offset all the carbon emissions they generate, from the sourcing of raw materials to the shipping of their products. This includes their direct and indirect emissions, as well as (almost) all the carbon emissions generated in the supply chain. 

It means that certified brands have to pay the Climate Neutral organization for their yearly emissions via verified energy credits, or “carbon offsets”. In other words, they are compensating for their emissions by funding a mix of projects, which are usually supporting reforestation efforts or the development of renewable energy. 

These brands also have to show that they are taking quantifiable steps to reduce their carbon emissions. So the certification is not only about compensating, but also about reducing the negative impact on the climate.  

The Climate-Neutral certification is the most well-known certification for climate neutrality, and since it is a third-party label, we know we can trust it.

336 brands received the Climate-Neutral certification in 2022, and together, they are offsetting more than a million tons of CO2 to account for the impacts of their last year’s operations.

The organization publishes its entire list of certified brands on its website so it is easily accessible to consumers, and it updates it every year. 

This list includes brands from many industries, but here are our 15 favorite ones specializing in sustainable fashion. 

NOW, OUR TOP PICKS FOR CLIMATE-NEUTRAL CERTIFIED FASHION BRANDS

1) Nisolo

For: Women & Men

Categories: Shoes, Accessories

This ethical footwear company is a go-to brand if you are looking for sustainably made shoes. You can choose between various styles of boots, loafers, sandals, sneakers, and many more! It even sells lovely belts, bags and socks.

Nisolo’s shoes are designed to last: they are incredibly well made, and produced using vegetable-tanned leather certified by the Leather Working Group. 

The brand is very transparent and provides evidence that all the workers in its supply chain earn a living wage. It was the highest-scoring brand in Re/Make’s 2021 Fashion Accountability Report! 

Nisolo is also a B Corporation, and it first received the Climate-Neutral certification back in 2019. Plus, thanks to its great shoe reclamation program, the company has so far diverted more than 7,000 shoes from landfills. 

use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC20 for 20% off your entire purchase

---

2) MATE the Label

For: Women, Men, Kids

Categories: Tshirts, Bottoms, Dresses, Activewear, Sleepwear, Underwear

MATE the Label is on a mission to provide us with organic clothing that is clean from seed to skin. It has everything you may need for your everyday wardrobe, from tanks to dresses to sweatpants, as well as some comfy essentials for men and kids. This women-run company makes all its clothes using natural, non-toxic materials like organic cotton, linen and Tencel, and everything is completely free of harmful chemicals. 

MATE the Label has a hyper-localized supply chain as all its factories are located within 15 miles of its headquarters in Los Angeles. This drastically helps reduce its carbon footprint! 

In addition to that, the brand has been Climate-Neutral certified since 2020, and it is also a member of 1% For The Planet. 

---

3) Cotopaxi

For: Women & Men

Categories: Backpacks, Tshirts, Jackets, Hoodies, Bottoms, Accessories

Cotopaxi is a sustainable brand selling outdoor clothing and gear, including practical backpacks, jackets and basic t-shirts. The company produces its products with sustainable materials, like recycled polyester, and many received the Fair Trade or GOTS certification. All its down jackets contain cruelty-free Responsible Down Standard-certified insulation. 

Cotopaxi also has an entire collection made with fabric leftovers from other brands’ production runs, which we really love!

Through its partnership with 1% For The Planet, the brand allocates 1% of its revenue to support non-profit organizations like United to Beat Malaria or the International Rescue Committee. Cotopaxi is also Climate-Neutral certified and a certified B corporation. 

---

4) Wolven

For: Women & Men

Categories: Activewear, Swimwear

Wolven is an ethical BIPOC-owned brand created by artists and environmental activists. Its activewear features incredibly unique, bold prints, which will remind you of nature and different cultures around the world. 

Its leggings, shorts, tops and swimsuits are made using recycled plastic bottles. Wolven also sells t-shirts made of modal, a very soft fabric produced from sustainably-harvested wood-pulp fibers.

You will love that some of the tops are reversible and can be worn four different ways! How cool is that?!

Wolven’s clothes are certified by OEKO-TEX and the Global Recycled Standard, and the company is a member of 1% For The Planet and Climate-Neutral certified. The brand even launched a platform where you can buy and sell pre-loved Wolven pieces! 

---

6) Knickey

For: Women

Categories: Underwear, Bralettes, Socks

Knickey specializes in the production of sustainably made underwear, bralettes and socks. It also has a maternity line with undies designed to grow with your belly, which is perfect for pregnancy and postpartum care. The brand’s underwear is produced in Fair Trade-certified facilities and made of GOTS-certified organic cotton, a fabric that is both soft and breathable. The perfect combination when it comes to undies! 

Knickey’s manufacturing process received the OEKO-TEX and GOTS certifications, so you know that all the pieces you buy are completely safe to wear and free of harmful substances. 

The company is also very transparent about where its products are made and where its materials come from. It is Climate-Neutral certified and a member of 1% For The Planet, and it even has a recycling program for old underwear.

---

7) Tentree

For: Women, Men, Kids

Categories: Tops, Bottoms, Activewear, Dresses, Outerwear, Underwear, Accessories

Tentree is a Canadian clothing brand that plants ten trees for every product purchased. So far, it has supported the planting of over 91 million trees thanks to its awesome business model! From basic shirts to winter coats, the company sells sustainable clothing and accessories for women, men and kids.

Everything is made with eco-friendly materials, like Tencel lyocell, organic cotton, hemp, or recycled polyester.

Every clothing item is designed with the planet in mind, right down to the trims, buttons and zippers. For instance, most products feature a signature cork tab, and Tentree uses buttons made from tree seeds or coconut shells. 

This Climate-Neutral certified brand has also been a B Corp since 2016. 

---

8) Will's Vegan Store

For: Women & Men 

Categories: Shoes, Bags, Jackets, Knitwear, Accessories

Will’s Vegan Store is an ethical vegan shoe brand selling footwear, clothing and accessories for men and women. You can buy various styles of boots, sandals, flats and many more, not to mention all the elegant bags and cozy knitwear! 

The company only uses vegan materials in its products, from the uppers to the glue in its shoes.

Almost all the footwear is made of its signature vegan leather, which is produced with 69% bio-based content. 

Will’s Vegan Store crafts its knitwear using recycled cotton and recycled polyester. Its products are either made in Portugal or Italy, and they are shipped in paper and cardboard packaging. 

The brand is also certified Climate-Neutral, and through its recycling program, it turns old products into new outsoles and uppers. 

---

9) Reformation

For: Women

Categories: Tops, Bottoms, Dresses, Sweaters, Outerwear, Shoes, Accessories

Reformation is a Los Angeles-based sustainable brand selling beautiful clothes for women, many of which are available in a large selection of colors and patterns. It offers various styles of dresses, sweaters, tops, jeans, and shoes, and it even has an entire collection of wedding & party dresses. 

Reformation makes its clothing using low-impact materials, like Tencel lyocell, recycled cotton, linen, OEKO-TEX-certified regenerated nylon, or recycled cashmere. It also has some pieces produced from rescued deadstock fabrics and repurposed vintage clothes. 

This Climate-Neutral certified company is also very transparent about the factories it works with and how the products are made. Some of its clothes are produced locally in Los Angeles. 

---

10) Made Trade 

For: Women, Men, Kids

Categories: Tops, Bottoms, Dresses, Loungewear, Underwear, Shoes, Accessories, Home Goods 

Made Trade is a one-stop shop for everything sustainable. Whether you are looking for ethically made clothing or handcrafted home goods and furniture, this woman-owned, family-run brand has it all! The company is Climate-Neutral certified, and it sells products from more than 150 brands, makers, artisans and small businesses, so there is a large selection of items to choose from!

Of course, every product was rigorously assessed and verified for both sustainability and social equity. 

For instance, Made Trade sells incredibly cute baby and kids’ clothing all made of organic cotton. It also has a thoughtfully curated collection of clothes for women and men, featuring fabrics such as Tencel, bamboo, organic cotton, and modal. 

use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC for $20 off your first order of $150+

---

11) Ana Luisa

For: Women

Categories: Jewelry

Ana Luisa is a sustainable jewelry brand on a mission to show the world that high-quality jewelry should not cost the planet.It crafts beautiful earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets, all of which are ideal to wear on a special occasion, but they will also spruce up your outfits if worn daily. Ana Luisa’s pieces are produced in limited batches and made of gold-plated brass (with a thick layer of recycled gold) or recycled Sterling silver.

Many of them also feature gorgeous lab-grown diamonds! 

This Climate-Neutral company is very transparent about its supply chain, which is extremely rare in the jewelry industry! Ana Luisa is also completely water-neutral, meaning that it has assessed its water footprint and offset it by supporting certified water restoration projects.

---

12) United By Blue

For: Women & Men

Categories: Tops, Bottoms, Dresses, Outerwear, Shoes, Accessories, Home Goods

United By Blue is an ethical lifestyle brand offering all kinds of clothes, shoes, accessories, and home goods. 

It has pledged from the very beginning to remove one pound of trash from an ocean or waterway for every product sold. So far, it has successfully collected over four million pounds of ocean-bound trash! 

United By Blue’s products are made with regenerative fibers, recycled or deadstock fabrics, and other sustainable materials, including recycled or organic cotton, hemp, recycled wool, and recycled nylon. The company even produces its warm jackets using salvaged bison wool that would have otherwise gone to waste! 

The brand has been a B Corporation since 2011, and it also recently received the Climate-Neutral certification. 

---

13) Foehn Clothing

For: Women & Men

Categories: Jackets, Activewear, Accessories

Foehn Clothing creates performance apparel with a modern aesthetic for people who love being outdoors, particularly for those who enjoy running, climbing, or mountain biking. 

The brand makes its clothes using recycled, bio-sourced and Bluesign-approved fabrics, including recycled nylon and recycled fleece. They are designed in a few neutral colors and all the pieces can easily be mixed and matched. 

Its down jackets contain Responsible Down Standard certified down, which keeps you incredibly warm whenever you are exploring outside. Plus, the certification ensures the down used comes from humanely treated geese. 

Foehn Clothing donates 1% of its annual sales to environmental non-profits through 1% For The Planet, and it is Climate-Neutral certified. 

---

14) The Knotty Ones

For: Women & Kids

Categories: Knitwear, Tops, Bottoms, Accessories

The Knotty Ones creates beautiful ethically made knitwear using biodegradable yarns only. All the pieces have timeless designs inspired by the brand’s local Baltic traditions, and they are built to last you season after season. 

The company employs female artisans from less privileged communities in rural Lituania, which helps them become financially independent and gives them a voice in their households. 

The Knotty Ones also makes its knitwear in small batches, resulting in no leftover fabric scraps. It uses materials like GOTS-certified organic wool, responsibly-sourced merino and alpaca wool, OEKO-TEX-certified cotton, and recycled wool.  

The brand uses Corozo seeds for its buttons, and it dyes everything with OEKO-TEX-certified dyes. It also works with artists who specialize in hand-dyeing with natural herbs, and it received the Climate-Neutral certification. 

---

15) Mara Hoffman

For: Women

Categories: Dresses, Sweaters, Jumpsuits, Tops, Bottoms, Outerwear, Swimwear

Mara Hoffman is a sustainable clothing brand creating everything you may need for your everyday wardrobe. From dresses to bodysuits to outwear, it makes its pieces using natural, recycled and organic fibers. While the company's swimwear is made of recycled nylon or recycled polyester, other clothes feature eco-friendly fabrics like hemp, organic cotton, Climate Beneficial™ wool, linen, and Tencel.

Mara Hoffman crafts many of its pieces in the United States, but it also partners with artisan groups based in developing countries that lack direct access to globalized markets. 

This Climate-Neutral certified brand has also been transitioning to digital printing, which reduces water and fabric waste and allows the company to have small runs of production. 

---

About the Author

Eva Astoul is a French freelance writer, specializing in content related to sustainability, simple living, and a growth-focused healthy lifestyle. She runs her own blog, Green With Less, to inspire people to live a more minimalist and sustainable life.

---

MAKE SURE TO PIN THE PHOTO BELOW TO SAVE THIS POST FOR LATER!

---

WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

---

RELATED READING YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:

---

Image: Nisolo

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the fashion industry a better place!

Transparency & Sustainable Brands

Sustainable fashion has officially become mainstream, much to my delight. Unfortunately, the increased demand for sustainable brands also increases greenwashing and differing levels of sustainability. Not all brands are sustainable, and not all sustainable brands are equally sustainable. So how do we, as consumers, really know if a brand can be trusted? By brands prioritizing transparency and education. In this article, I highlight five sustainable brands that make transparency easy for consumers to understand and set new sustainability standards.

Why is Transparency in the Fashion Industry Important? 

In order to know if a brand is sustainable or ethical, there needs to be transparency. Anyone can say they are sustainable but if they aren’t transparent about how, consumers can’t validate their claims. 

When brands publicly disclose crucial details like how and where they make their products, and the materials they use, we can begin to understand what makes this brand sustainable. There are also a variety of third party certifications and audits that help bring more transparency to the specific business practices and methods used. 

As consumers, we only know what we are told. So when brands decide to be transparent and tell us exactly who they are, we can then build real trust with that company. 

Why Is Consumer Education on Sustainability Important? 

While it’s important for a business to be transparent, transparency doesn’t mean as much if we don’t understand what they are talking about. In order to know if a business is using sustainable materials, ethical production methods, or making a positive impact, we need to have basic sustainability knowledge. 

Great sustainable brands are the ones that are not only transparent, but provide clear, easy to understand information and education to their consumers. Once we understand why something is sustainable or ethical, we as consumers can make informed choices.

What to Look For From Sustainable Brands:

A truly transparent sustainable brand should make the following clear: 

• Who owns the company? 

• What materials do they use and why?

• Where do they source their materials?

• Where do they manufacture?

• How much do they pay their workers? 

• How are the workers treated? 

• What production methods do they use? 

• Do they offset their carbon emissions? How? 

• Do they give back to any organizations? 

• What are they working to improve on? Do they have future sustainability goals?

The five brands below are great examples of what to look for in a sustainable brand. I chose these brands because they are taking it one step further than most. Each of these businesses have found new ways to be as transparent as possible. They also provide clear, easy to understand information so consumers can make educated choices. 

Now, Our Top Picks for Sustainable Brands Setting New Standards for Transparency and Education:

1) Nisolo

Nisolo is another great sustainable brand that is focused on continually improving. They are a certified B Corp and Carbon Neutral company known for making ethical shoes. 

Nisolo has been leading the way when it comes to paying living wages and creating an ethical work environment. They publish their wages and are very transparent about who makes their products and where. 

Lately, they’ve made huge strides in both sustainability and transparency. At the end of 2021, they launched their sustainability facts label. They want to bring a new level of transparency to the fashion industry. They worked with sustainability experts, certifications, and organizations over the last few years to create a comprehensive yet easy-to-understand label. The label is meant to make it easier for brands to evaluate their products and for consumers to make sustainable choices. 

Their sustainability facts label is the first of its kind. It takes into account the impact of each product on people and the planet. Every Nisolo product now has this sustainability label available. 

use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC20 for 20% off your entire purchase

2) Cocokind

Cocokind is a sustainable skincare brand that has made considerable strides in sustainability and transparency since it launched five years ago. They are passionate about helping consumers understand what they are buying and creating more transparency within the beauty industry. 

Cocokind uses Instagram to showcase real, unfiltered skin from their team and customers. However, where Cocokind truly shines is in making it easy for consumers to understand exactly what they are using and why they should use it. 

On social media, you can expect to see Cocokind regularly break down what trendy ingredients, like retinol and hyaluronic acid, really are and how or why to use them. They also show sample beauty routines, making it easy to understand what products you should use for each skin type.

They take transparency one step further on their packaging and website. Each product has its own label, which includes the formulation and sustainability facts. These labels explain what’s in the product and why, its carbon footprint, and recycling instructions. In addition, their website states the PH level, smell, feel, use instructions and consumer experience stats for each product. 

While Cocokind is way ahead of most “clean” beauty brands, they clearly state that they are working toward much more. Cocokind states that they are only in Phase 1 out of 3 of their sustainability goals.

3) Girlfriend Collective

Girlfriend Collective’s goal is to be as transparent as possible, and they are on the right path. Girlfriend Collective has created a popular line of sustainable activewear made primarily from recycled polyester (RPET), ECONYL, and cupro. 

Within seconds of being on their website, you’ll learn what materials they use in their products and why. They have an extensive FAQ page, but they also provide the answers to most of these questions on their About page. 

They also provide a comprehensive overview of how the fashion industry operates as a whole, including how products are made and what common certifications and labor codes mean.

One of the great things Girlfriend Collective does is making it easy for consumers to understand exactly what they are buying. Underneath each product is a comprehensive description of what it’s made of. They also clearly and boldly list how many plastic bottles were used to make it, as well as the CO2 and water it saved. 

4) Able

ABLE is a sustainable fashion brand that is passionate about empowering women and providing ethical employment globally. ABLE works with women artisans around the world to create their products. ABLE provides extensive information on how the fashion industry operates as a whole and especially its exploitation of women. 

They published a living wage calculator to explain to consumers how they determine their wages. They were one of the first fashion brands to publish their lowest wages. 

Over the last few years, they’ve created their own evaluation tool called ACCOUNTABLE. It measures the safety, equality and wages of their manufacturers. This has made it possible for them, and others, to ensure transparency in their supply chain. 

ABLE is not just transparent when it comes to their employment and production. On their website, they’ve taken the time to break down each product they sell and explain the materials used, why they chose them and where and how they are sourced. 

5) Organic Basics

Organic Basics is a sustainable fashion brand focused on creating ethical intimates & everyday basic clothing. In addition, they are incredibly passionate about consumer education and transparency. 

One unique thing about Organic Basics is their low-impact website option. You can choose to shop on their standard website or their low-impact one. The low-impact version calculates the CO2 emissions you are reducing when you use it. 

Additionally, they have a very comprehensive and user-friendly breakdown of why the fashion industry is “dirty” and how they are working to change that. Organic Basics publishes each factory they manufacture it with a rating. They include details like where it’s located, if it’s family-run, what materials it produces, who works there and what type of wages and benefits they receive.

When it comes to their products, they provide an Impact Index that states the CO2, chemicals and waste prevented by each product.

---

About the Author

Alicia Briggs is a writer & editor specializing in slow travel & sustainable living. She has been a full-time traveler since 2018 and runs her own blog, Learning the Local Way, where she covers responsible travel tips and guides.

---

MAKE SURE TO PIN THE PHOTO BELOW TO SAVE THIS POST FOR LATER!

---

WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

---

related reading you may also enjoy:

Image: UASHMAMA

Plastic Free Alternatives to Animal-Derived Materials

For those looking to avoid animal-derived materials for the sake of animals themselves, as well as people and the planet, it can be difficult to know what to wear instead. Switching out animal skins for plastic is no perfect solution, so fortunately there are plenty of totally animal and plastic free alternatives to fur, leather and wool. 

Why do some people avoid wearing animal-derived materials like fur, leather and wool?

A growing number of people are opting to avoid all animal-derived materials in fashion – as many as one in eight globally, according to surveying by FOUR PAWS. There are plenty of reasons for this change, with the first and most obvious being for the protection of animals themselves. Whether fur, leather or wool, the industries selling these skins and fibers ultimately slaughter animals when it is most profitable. The cruelties of fur are most commonly understood, but leather – a valuable co-product of the meat industry – and wool have insidious undersides, too. From calf-cow separation and painful dehorning for leather and brutal tail docking and selective breeding practices for wool, it’s easy to understand this growing shift beyond animal-derived materials. But there are environmental reasons for this switch, too. 

While we could talk for days about the environmental impacts of these materials, here are a few fast facts: Leather has one of the most significant negative climate, land, and biodiversity impacts of any material on the planet. Making cow skin leather for a pair of boots can result in as many as 7 times more emissions than even synthetic leather, which is far out-performed by genuinely sustainable alternatives, too. Meanwhile, fur contributes to major pollution through factory-farming, and is rendered toxically non-biodegradable by the chemicals pelts are processed with in order to be wearable. Wool on the other hand is highly land-inefficient, requiring as much as 1,800 square meters more land to produce an average knitted sweater than materials like cotton or Tencel. In turn, wool contributes to major biodiversity destruction and even some serious species threats. 

Finally, some of the human impacts of these animal-derived material supply chains include the plight of slaughterhouse workers killing for a living, who are more likely to suffer with perpetration-induced traumatic stress (similar to PTSD) due to their inherently violent work. Too, people working in both fur-dressing and leather tanning are exposed to harmful and carcinogenic substances frequently, and even shearers have reported to be mistreated and underpaid. Meanwhile farmers across all three material production systems have spoken about the mental distress tied to the cruel aspects of their work. 

Why are plastic materials not a sustainable solution either?

When looking to find alternatives to fur, leather and wool, you’ll come across a lot of synthetic materials. While synthetic alternatives actually have smaller climate impacts, this does not mean they are good for the climate or planet – they certainly are not! Acrylic faux fur and wool, polyurethane synthetic leather: these plastic materials are derived from fossil fuels. As a global community, the IPCC states that we must shift beyond the use of all fossil fuels, and yet the fashion industry makes as much as 62% of all materials from petrochemicals. This means that as many as 342 million barrels of crude oil are used each year to produce plastic textiles. This impacts our shared planet, wildlife, and people – particularly those who are poorer and who are Black and Brown, in a form of environmental racism seen across the leather supply chain too. 

What’s more, non-biodegradable materials like synthetics, as well as processed fur and leather, can contribute to pollution when garments, shoes and bags are no longer in use. Every time a garment like, say, a synthetic thermal top is washed, tiny fibers come off the fabric and are released into waterways, which ultimately connect to the ocean in many cases. It’s estimated that a whopping 1.5 million trillion microfibers are present in the ocean today. While it’s important to note that even non-plastic fibers from wool to cotton can become non-biodegradable microfibers too, if harmful dyes and processing substances are used, these materials have the capacity to be biodegradable, which is an important distinction. A fossil-fuel derived plastic fiber is never going to be a solution. 

Image: Murmali

Plastic-free alternatives to leather

So what animal-free and plastic-free leather alternatives exist? And what brands are using them? Here are a few great options:

MIRUM

MIRUM is probably the most exciting leather alternative available today. Made by Natural Fiber Welding (NFW), the material is certified to be made wholly from bio-based content. Able to be customized for different brands based on how thick, textured, colored or flexible they want their material to be, MIRUM can be made from a variety of different materials. These include natural rubber (certified to be sourced responsibly), clays, plant-based oils and waxes, coconut husk fiber, cork powder sourced as a by-product from wine-stopper making, rice hulls, and more. Zero animal inputs and zero plastic make it better for the planet, and able to both compost and be recycled. If you’re looking for products made from MIRUM, it’s worth following NFW, as they share announcements on new brands regularly. Brave GentleMan offers some ethically made accessories and shoes from the material, while Melina Bucher offers a fairly produced handbag, and B-Corp Bellroy sells a simple wallet and other small goods. 

Washable paper 

While ‘paper’ probably makes you think of something thin, flimsy and easy to rip, washable paper is a different story. Durable, splash and tear resistant, washable paper sourced from certified responsible wood sources (look for the Forest Stewardship certification) can make for great bags and accessories. Treekind is a similar kind of material, made by a start-up which only uses fallen wood and leaves, as well as wasted Christmas trees to make their strong, sturdy and ultimately compostable material – just like washable paper. Want to get your hands on a woody alternative to animal and synthetic leather? UASHMAMA is a Tuscany based made-to-order label offering handbags, accessories and carry bags made from washable paper, offered in a variety of colourways and textures. Watch out for the small animal leather details on some products, though. Etsy is also full of small, local makers who use the material. 

Cork

Another tree-based and compostable option, cork bark can be stripped from trunks without harming the tree. In fact, stripping cork bark can help trees sequester more carbon. To ensure total biodegradation, make sure to pick cork fabrics that are backed onto cotton, not a synthetic material. Able to be embossed to mimic all kinds of textures (think crocodile skin alternative!)cork leather alternatives are available at a wide range of Portuguese brands, as this is where many cork trees grow. For luxury-end cork fashion look to Parisian brand Laflore, which combines cork with gorgeous hardware detailing for versatile travel bags, and easy-access every day handbags. Murmali uses high quality cork for their tote bags, cark holders, and over the shoulder bags. Meanwhile, Jord offers cork backpacks, petite crossbody bags and other accessories in both feminine and masculine styles. 

Plastic-free alternatives to wool

In the case of wool, there are a number of great plant-based, recycled and innovative alternatives that can be made into knitwear, base layers and other winter warmers – without plastic. 

Tencel

A cellulosic material produced in a closed-loop, non-polluting system, Tencel is also made from sustainably sourced wood. Tencel is thermo-regulating and moisture-wicking, meaning it helps to keep you both warm and cool as you need – just like wool does. In fact, laboratory research has shown Tencel to have similar water vapor absorption capacities as wool, while drying three times faster. It’s also antimicrobial. Because of these factors, silky smooth Tencel is a comfortable thermal layer, and can also be knitted into sweaters. Tencel winter warmers can be found at Organic Basics, where you can find turtlenecks and base layers, as well as at Armed Angel. This German label offers cardigans, sweatsuits and other cozy goods in Tencel – just make sure you avoid their wool-blend options. Feeling crafty? Wool and the Gang have a selection of 100% Tencel yarns you can buy alongside knitting patterns! 

Hemp

Hemp is a hardy, thermo-regulating and sustainable material that can grow large on a small amount of land. Often blended with other materials to be made into knitted fabrics and yarns, hemp can also be made into tweed. Opera Campi creates 100% hemp knitwear to order in Italy, using their own technology which makes hemp softer than usual. Though there are some wool blends to watch out for, this brand is leading the way for hemp knitwear. Another innovator, Australian brand Afends (use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC15 for 15% off full-priced items) has their own hemp farm which they make knitted pants, skirts, hoodies and ribbed long sleeves from.

Sustainably sourced cotton

Cotton can be sourced sustainably in a number of ways: when it’s recycled, organic, rain-fed, grown with more holistic management practices, and with fair trade labor. Cotton can be made into thick and chunky knits, with this thickness helping with warmth. The Knotty Ones uses fair trade cotton for their collection of beautiful knits, Willow and Claude knitwear and scarves are made from 100% Australian, transparent and responsibly sourced cotton, and People Tree offer a range of certified organic and fair trade cotton cardigans and other knits. 

Plastic-free alternatives to fur

Fur is the animal-derived material most widely recognised as unacceptable, and it’s easy to avoid. If you are looking for fur alternatives, let’s talk about the available options. 

Denim as a fur alternative 

Ukrainian brand Ksenia Schnaider created ‘faux fur’ from vintage denim which they shred and remake into a fluffy, furry and beautiful material. This sort of innovation shows how limitless the possibilities are when it comes to sustainable, animal- and plastic-free materials, if we’re willing to think creatively, and support the brands doing the same. 

Virgin plastic-free recycled faux fur

While ECOPEL has recently released GACHA, a biodegradable faux fur, it’s still very difficult to find such materials in brands. Until that changes, while it’s hard to find virgin plastic-free faux fur, there are faux furs made from 100% recycled synthetic sources – including from ocean-diverted plastics. Brands using these materials include London-based Jakke – which offers the best range of colorful, playful coats and jackets – as well as Ena Pelly, which offers sleek, elegant fur alternative designs. 

Pre-loved faux fur 

Of course, shopping pre-loved is always the most sustainable option, and there are plenty of vintage and pre-loved faux fur coats out there. These kinds of coats and jackets aren’t machine washed, helping to eliminate the microfiber waste problem. Making use of what’s already here on our finite planet is a great way to reduce your impact on the Earth and those we share it with. 

---

About the Author
Emma Håkansson is the founder and director of Collective Fashion Justice which seeks to create a total ethics fashion system that prioritizes the life and wellbeing of non-human & human animals, as well as the planet, before profit & production. She has written countless articles on ethics, sustainability, and fashion, and has two books due out over the next two years.

---

MAKE SURE TO PIN THE PHOTO BELOW TO SAVE THIS POST FOR LATER!

---

WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

---

RELATED READING YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:

Image: Nisolo

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the fashion industry a better place!

The Best Sustainable & Eco-fRiendly Belts

Whether your belt is being used for function or simply adding a little flair to your look, they are something often overlooked in sustainable fashion. From wide belts with large buckles or slim belts with a slide fastener to braided or carved, belts can transform your style. Since belts are often made from plastic or rubber and not sustainable materials they quickly contribute to fast fashion waste as they crack, break and are discarded often. Thankfully, there are companies dedicated to the innovation of fashion who used some creativity and innovation to make a sustainable belt option.

What materials are sustainable belts made from?

Traditionally belts were made from animal skins, like cow or crocodile, or materials like nylon, plastic, and vinyl. There are many more sustainable materials available now. One of the most renewable resources is cork. It doesn’t require cutting down the cork oak tree to use it and the bark grows back quickly to be harvested again. Cork easily mimics the leather look and is durable for daily wear and tear which is important for a belt.

Many companies choose to use recycled nylon or polyester, which prevents it from otherwise being sent to the landfill. While these materials are not renewable or sustainable on their own, but using recycled versions is a great way to reduce waste. Belts are especially good for recycled materials as they require less material as other garments so the recycled material can be utilized more efficiently.

More recently leather replacements using materials like plant skins of cactus, pineapple leaves, or apple peels have become increasingly popular. These bio-based leather alternatives are growing in demand and popularity due to how accessible they are and decreased environmental impact they make.

You can also find sustainable brands who use veggie-tanned leathers.

Where can you shop sustainable belts?

This list compiles a variety of shops with a range of price points, from luxury to budget options, there is something for everyone!

1) Unbelts

For | Gender Neutral

The super comfy stretchy belts made for real life! Unbelts was created to help you feel great in your jeans while sustaining quality jobs throughout their entire supply chain. Their Intrepid Belts are guaranteed to last a lifetime; buy it once and Unbelts will repair or replace it forever. They are also a Certified B Corp and made from recycled plastic bottles.

Besides the many colors and patterns for adults, they make belts for children too! You also never have to worry about buckle bulk with their super-smooth low-profile hardware.

---

use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC20 for 20% off your purchase

2) Nisolo

For | Men & Women

Nisolo offers versatile designs for your everyday life. The company is built on the mission to create products that are comfortable, functional, and always made responsibly. B Corp Certified, Climate Neutral certified and their factory is solar-powered. They also are transparent with their labor policies and all producers receive beyond fair trade wages, healthcare, and a healthy working environment. Nisolo’s belts offer easy and effortless styling that will go with everything you already have in your closet and conventional & veggie-tanned leather is used for their belts.

---

3) Will’s Vegan Store

For | Men & Women

Will’s Vegan Store believes that if we all try to make a positive choice we can create positive change in the world. The belts are made from Italian vegan leather with plants created with bio oil sourced from organic cereal crops grown in Northern Europe. In addition to safe and fair labor for their workers in Italy and Portugal, everything in Will’s Vegan Store is certified carbon neutral, all packaging is plastic-free and they offer a recycle service when your items are ready to retire.

---

4) Poppy Barley

For | Men & Women

Poppy Barley is a Canadian brand and B-Corporation founded by two sisters in Edmonton, AB.

Their company is committed to rethinking every step to create sustainably made, fairly-priced products designed to be worn on repeat.

Their classic belts are made with LWG Certified leather and come in 2 different styles.

---

5) Asket

For | Men

Cut and braided in an artisanal studio in Florence, Italy, The Braided Elastic Belt is made from soft and durable Italian cotton-rubber-viscose cords and embellished with vegan leather trims. Find it in 3 different colors - beige, black and dark navy.

ASKET believes in full traceability from the very start to the end. They refer to this as ‘From Farm to Finish Line.” For each garment, you can look up its history.

---

6) Mayamam Weavers

For | Women

If you’re looking for a belt to bring some color and vibrancy to your outfit, Mayamam Weavers is known for just that! Handwoven and embroidered with eye-catching patterns, each belt is one of a kind. Mayamam Weavers is a company based in New Jersey and are members of the Fair Trade Federation ensuring their workers are not only paid fair wages but they are also empowered to learn business skills to better their future. Their belt styles are all made from 100% cotton and don’t let their beauty fool you, all styles are durable for daily use.

---

7) Elvis & Kresse

For | Men & Women

Not only can you support sustainable ethical business, you can also support a great cause. Elvis and Kresse is a luxury lifestyle accessories brand that makes belts out of London’s decommissioned fire hose. This company is built upon the three pillars of rescue, transform, and donate. They rescue their materials and transform them into something new then donate a part of the profits. They will even repair your belt for life. As a B Corp Certified, Living Wage Employer and Certified Social Enterprise company, ethics and sustainability is at the forefront of the business model. 50% of profits from the fire-hose range are donated to The Fire Fighters Charity.

---

8) Nae

For | Men & Women

Sustainable and ethical for people, the planet and the animals. Using recycled or eco-friendly materials like organic cotton and cork, Nae makes shoes and accessories that are manufactured in certified and ethical factories in Portugal. The available belt styles and colors are classic for everyday outfits and use vegan leather with OEKO-TEX certified microfiber manufactured without CO2 emissions. Nae’s most popular belt styles are the braided or skinny width vegan leather.

---

9) Clinch

For | Women

Clinch strives to be timeless and create accessories that you want to pass down to the next generation. While they are still working to be fully sustainable, they incorporate sustainable processes where they can. They use vegetable tanning when possible, use recycled sterling silver and brass for the belt buckles and the belts are made by people paid a livable wage in safe working conditions. Clinch has an interchangeable belt line, which allows you to mix and match your straps and buckles for a fully customized look. Their belt buckles are what makes their belts truly unique and the signature design looks like high end designer quality.

---

10) Brave Leather

For | Men & Women

At Brave Leather, this Canadian company uses a vegetable tanning process to create their unique leather goods. This means no carcinogens for you or the environment and your artisan-crafted piece will last a lifetime. Brave also only uses industry by-product leather, which means not one piece of leather has ever come from an animal sacrificed for its skin. Even their adhesives are sustainable by only using those that are water-based with zero VOCs. All workers are paid fair wages and work in a safe environment in their Toronto workshop. From classic, stud-embellished or patterned, Brave creates a variety of belt styles to suit your wardrobe.

---

11) Corkor

For | Men & Women

Corkor only uses certified cork and their products are handcrafted by artisans in Portugal. Cork is an eco-friendly material as it can be harvested off the tree without cutting the tree down. The Corkor belts use cork in a way that resembles leather without the exploitation of animals and is more durable. Corkor prioritizes sustainable materials, labor and manufacturing. There are three main colorways and a few different sizes for both men and women. All belts are very neutral and understated so they would be suitable for anyone looking for a classic belt.

---

MAKE SURE TO PIN THE PHOTO BELOW TO SAVE THIS POST FOR LATER!

---

WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

---

RELATED READING YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:

---