Jeans are one of the most popular and versatile clothing items in the world. They can be worn for casual, formal, or even professional occasions. They can also express your personality, mood, and taste. But did you know that jeans are also one of the most environmentally damaging clothing items in the world? Each year, about 2 billion pairs of jeans are produced, using huge amounts of water, energy, and chemicals. Jeans also contribute to pollution, waste, and greenhouse gas emissions. Not to mention the social and ethical issues involved in the denim industry, such as low wages, poor working conditions, and human rights violations. In this article, we will briefly review some of the leading sustainable jeans brands trending in 2023.
DL1961 Premium Denim
DL1961 is a family-owned premium brand that makes jeans from recycled denim and post-consumer waste blended with eco-friendly fibers such as Tencel and Modal. They use a solar-powered, closed-loop manufacturing process that requires less than 10 gallons of water per pair and recycles 98% of the water used. They also use DyStar Liquid Indigo dyes that produce less effluents and are certified by Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex. They are a member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s The Jeans Redesign project that aims to create circular and recyclable jeans. DL1961 is loved by celebrities such as Meghan Markle, Gigi Hadid, and Jessica Alba.
Levi’s
Levi’s is one of the oldest and most iconic denim brands in the world. They invented the classic 501 Original blue jeans in 1873 and have been innovating ever since. Levi’s makes jeans from organic cotton, recycled cotton, hemp, or Tencel. They use a Water<Less technology that reduces water usage by up to 96% in the finishing process. They also use a Screened Chemistry program that eliminates harmful chemicals from their supply chain. They are a member of the Better Cotton Initiative that promotes sustainable cotton production. They also have a recycling program that accepts old jeans and gives discounts for new purchases.
Amendi Denim
Amendi is a luxury denim brand that makes jeans from organic cotton that is grown without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. They use natural indigo dye that is derived from plants and does not contain harmful chemicals. They also use a laser technology that creates patterns and fades on denim without using water or bleach. They are certified by GOTS, OEKO-TEX, and Fair Wear Foundation that ensure high environmental and social standards. They also provide a Fabrication Facts label that shows the impact of each pair of jeans on water, energy, and CO2 emissions.
Boyish Jeans
Boyish is a playful denim brand that makes jeans from organic cotton, recycled cotton, or Tencel. They use natural indigo dye that is derived from plants and does not contain harmful chemicals. They also use a low-impact wash process that reduces water usage by up to 90% and energy usage by up to 25%. They are certified by GOTS, OEKO-TEX, and Bluesign that ensure high environmental and social standards. They also donate 1% of their sales to environmental causes through 1% for the Planet.
Warp + Weft
Warp + Weft is an inclusive denim brand that makes jeans from organic cotton, recycled cotton, or Tencel. They use a vertical integration model that allows them to control every step of the production process and reduce waste and emissions. They also use a proprietary water system that recycles 98% of the water used and treats the remaining 2% before releasing it into the environment. They also use eco-friendly dyes and finishes that are certified by OEKO-TEX. They offer inclusive sizes ranging from 00 to 24 for women and 28 to 40 for men.
Nudie Jeans Co.
Nudie is a unisex denim brand that makes jeans from organic cotton that is grown without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. They use natural indigo dye that is derived from plants and does not contain harmful chemicals. They also use a repair service that offers free repairs for life for their jeans. They also have a reuse program that accepts old jeans and resells them as second-hand or recycles them into new products. They are certified by GOTS, Fairtrade, and Fair Wear Foundation that ensure high environmental and social standards.
Reformation Jeans
Reformation is a trendy denim brand that makes jeans from organic cotton, recycled cotton, or Tencel. They use natural indigo dye that is derived from plants and does not contain harmful chemicals. They also use a carbon-neutral production process that offsets their greenhouse gas emissions through renewable energy projects. They also have a recycling program that accepts old jeans and gives credits for new purchases. They offer inclusive sizes ranging from 23 to 31 for women.
People Tree
People Tree is a fair trade denim brand that makes jeans from organic cotton that is grown without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. They use natural indigo dye that is derived from plants and does not contain harmful chemicals. They also use a fair trade production process that ensures fair wages and working conditions for their farmers and workers. They are certified by GOTS, Fairtrade, Soil Association Organic, and World Fair Trade Organization that ensure high environmental and social standards.
