Wouldn’t it be great if every dollar we put towards a purchase from a company, we knew it wasn’t just causing zero harm but, also going towards something beneficial for people or the planet?
Well, there’s actually a credible certification and community called B Corp to show that a business is using business as a force for good. This is an extensive certification process, meaning if you buy from any of the below you know your money is going to a good company.
‘Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. B Corps are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.’
1. Patagonia
Everyone’s favourite outdoor activist brand that is socially and environmentally focused – Patagonia. They have been a certified B Corporation since 2011. Some examples of the brands good deeds include; using environmentally friendly and innovative materials, giving 1% of sales to grassroots environmental organisations and fair trade certified supply chains.
We’re in business to save our home planet. We aim to use the resources we have – our business, our investments, our voice and our imaginations – to do something about it”.
2. Glam Corner
Glam Corner is Australia’s answer to Rent the Runway; the fashion-tech company originated in 2012. The business aims to reduce textile landfill waste by changing the way Australian women consume fashion – encouraging them to instead rent, wear and return. They also ensure all supply chains including sub-suppliers and temporary staff are fairly paid.
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3. Veja
These Brazilian ecological sneakers have been getting more and more popular over the last few years. Founded in 2005, Veja uses a transparent supply chain, fair-trade sourcing, organic materials and zero chemicals. They are sold through various online sites including The Iconic, Well Made Clothes and Hype DC.
4. Arnsdorf
This Australian and New-York based luxury fashion brand believes in the positive impact of clothing. Arnsdorf pushes for transparency, ethical production, environmentally friendly practices and reducing waste through limited production runs. The factory is in Collingwood, Melbourne and everything is done in-house to ensure transparency and ethical supply chains.
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5. Outland Denim
The sustainable denim Queensland-based brand of dreams makes fashionable and premium, ethical denim to support vulnerable women. The brand offers training and ethical employment for women rescued from exploitation in Cambodia. You may also recognise the brand from Meghan Markle wearing them on a visit to Australia and sales rocketing by 948% as a result of the media exposure.
6. Etiko
This family-owned brand has been running for over 14 years in Australia, the perfect alternative lifestyle brand for certified organic cotton, fair-trade and vegan wear and sneakers. Etiko campaigns for businesses that respects and protects human rights, with fair trade certification an essential aspect of their business.
7. Kusaga Athletic
Kusaga Athletic is a pioneer in the ethical and sustainable apparel space, pushing profit for purpose. The athletic brand aims to use the latest innovative textiles, for example The Greenest Tee is made from a unique blend of natural fibres without compromising practicality. Considering nearly all athletic apparel is made of plastic which ends up in the ocean as microfibers, innovative athletic apparel is an essential area!
8. Thread Harvest
This ethical and sustainable fashion marketplace is a unique site, allowing users to shop by cause or collection (for example, Living Wage, Eco Friendly, Empowering Women etc). The Thread Harvest marketplace has a wide range of products from apparel, skin-care to jewellery. Not only is this site B Corp certified, they have previously won a Good Design Award.
9. OORR
The athletic apparel industry is seriously polluting, which is where perfomance brand OORR comes in – planting five trees for every garment sold. Not only do they think forward, the clothing is made with 30-100% recycled material. OORR also contributes 5% of revenue to support Australian Wildlife Conservancy and Velokhaya.
10. Little Yellow Bird
This little New Zealand-based brand provides ethical employment and education for workers in developing countries. Little Yellow Bird (LYB) makes corporate uniforms, kitchen aprons and ethical basics such as tees and hoodies. Its apparel is 100% organic rain-fed cotton, fair-trade and ethically produced in India.
Recommending reading:
- 69 Facts and Statistics About Fast Fashion That Will Inspire You To Become An Ethical Fashion Advocate
- Why Missguided’s New £1 Bikini Represents More Than Just Cheap Fashion
- Circular Denim Brand MUD Jeans Raises Investment of One Million Euros
- Circular Fashion: Turning Old Clothes into Everything From New Cotton to Fake Knees
- 7 Ethical Brands for Sustainable Joggers and Sweat Pants
- 32 Thought-Provoking Quotes About Ethical, Sustainable and Fast Fashion
- Where to Buy Ethical and Sustainable Watches
Feature image via Arnsdorf.