Last Updated on June 3, 2024 by Annie Baldwin
Fast fashion brands like Cotton On promise trendy clothes at affordable prices.
But how ethical and eco-friendly are these giant retailers?
Let’s examine Cotton On’s environmental and social impact.
Is Cotton On Environmentally Friendly?
Cotton On has made some sustainability commitments but still has a long way to go to become an environmentally friendly brand.
Most of their products are not made from natural, biodegradable materials.
While they aim to use more sustainable cotton and reduce emissions, their overall impact is currently not good enough.
Key Points
- Uses some recycled polyester but most products are synthetic
- Rated “Not Good Enough” for sustainability by Baptist World Aid
- Has set goals for sustainability but limited action so far
Our Opinion
Based on the available information, our assessment is that Cotton On is not an environmentally sustainable fashion brand yet.
They have aspirations and plans to improve, but currently, the majority of their products and business practices cannot be considered eco-friendly or ethical.
Significant changes are still needed for Cotton On to achieve true environmental sustainability.
Is Cotton On Clothing Sustainable?
Cotton On gets a “Not Good Enough” rating for sustainability from ethical consumer groups. The company uses some eco-friendly materials, including recycled polyester and organic cotton. However, most Cotton On clothes contain petroleum-based synthetics like polyester, nylon, and elastane. The company aims for all products to have sustainable attributes by 2030. But currently, almost none of their clothes are made from natural, biodegradable fibers.
Cotton On has committed to 100% sustainably sourced cotton since 2021. But cotton makes up a tiny fraction of their products. The company relies heavily on synthetic fibers, which shed microplastics into waterways when washed. Cotton On aims to be carbon neutral by 2030. But there’s little evidence it’s reducing emissions across its global supply chain.
On the plus side, Cotton On has a zero-tolerance policy for child labor and workplace discrimination. The company is taking steps towards responsible design, materials, and production. But overall, Cotton On has a long way to go to minimize its environmental impact and become a truly sustainable fast fashion brand.
What Is the Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion?
The fast fashion industry has concerning environmental impacts. Brands like Emmiol, Shein, and Cotton On contribute to climate change, water pollution, and textile waste. Here are some of the main issues:
- Greenhouse gas emissions – Producing clothing emits huge amounts of carbon. Synthetics like polyester are especially carbon-intensive.
- Water pollution – Dyeing and treating textiles generates wastewater containing toxic chemicals.
- Textile waste – People discard over 20 billion pounds of clothing per year in the US. Most textiles end up in landfills.
- Microplastics – Washing synthetic fabrics releases tiny plastic fibers into waterways. These accumulate in animals and humans.
Fast fashion encourages the overconsumption of low-quality garments. Trend-driven brands launch thousands of new styles each year. This take-make-dispose model is environmentally unsustainable. Eco-conscious consumers should consider reducing purchases, buying natural fabrics, and choosing ethical brands.
How Ethical Is Cotton On’s Supply Chain?
Cotton On has faced scrutiny over ethical issues in its supply chain. However, the company has taken steps to improve transparency and accountability:
- Traceability – Cotton On traces most of its cotton back to the farm level. This ensures no forced or child labor is used.
- Auditing – Suppliers undergo regular audits to ensure proper working conditions and fair wages.
- Certifications – Many Cotton On products are certified by organizations like BCI and OEKO-TEX®.
- Materials – Cotton On uses some eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, and TENCELTM.
While the brand isn’t perfect, it has made commitments to sustainability and ethical production. Cotton On publishes annual transparency reports on its progress. Consumers can feel assured efforts are being made to improve social and environmental impacts.
No supply chain is 100% ethical, but Cotton On demonstrates a higher level of traceability and accountability than many fast fashion brands. As a large company, it still has work to do – but is taking steps in the right direction.
Does Cotton On Use Eco-Friendly Materials?
Yes, Cotton On does use some eco-friendly and sustainable materials in its products:
- Organic cotton – This cotton is grown without toxic pesticides and promotes biodiversity.
- Recycled polyester – Using recycled plastic bottles to make polyester reduces waste.
- TENCELTM lyocell – This fiber is made from sustainably sourced wood pulp using a closed-loop process.
- BCI cotton – Cotton verified by the Better Cotton Initiative has stricter environmental standards.
- Hemp – As a fast-growing crop, hemp is more sustainable than conventional cotton.
However, Cotton On still relies heavily on conventional cotton and polyester. Only about 13% of its materials are eco-friendly as of 2020. The brand hopes to increase this percentage as more sustainable options become available.
While Cotton On has room for improvement, its use of organic cotton and recycled polyester does help reduce its environmental impact. As consumers demand more sustainability, the brand will likely expand its use of eco-fabrics.
Are There Greener Alternatives to Cotton On?
Yes, there are some brands that are more sustainable than Cotton On:
- Patagonia – A leader in environmental responsibility, Patagonia uses organic cotton, recycled polyester, and recycled down.
- Pact – Pact uses only organic cotton and has a large selection of carbon-neutral products.
- Reformation – This brand uses sustainable and recycled materials as much as possible.
- Everlane – Everlane focuses on ethical factories and organic materials like cotton, alpaca wool, and recycled polyester.
- Outerknown – Cofounded by pro surfer Kelly Slater, Outerknown uses eco-fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, and ECONYL.
While these brands have smaller product ranges than fast fashion giants, they offer quality basics and trendy pieces made sustainably. Supporting these eco-conscious companies encourages further innovation in green materials and responsible manufacturing.
FAQ
Does Cotton On Have an Impact on the Environment?
Cotton On uses some eco-friendly materials like recycled polyester, but most of their clothes are made from petroleum-based fibers. They have not yet reduced their carbon emissions or textile waste significantly.
How is Cotton On environmentally sustainable?
Cotton On has set some sustainability goals like using 100% sustainably sourced cotton by 2021 and becoming carbon neutral by 2030. But they have a long way to go to make their full supply chain and product line sustainable.
Conclusion
Cotton On is not yet an environmentally friendly or highly sustainable fashion brand. While they have set some goals and use some eco-materials, the majority of their products are still made from petroleum-based synthetics. They need to reduce their carbon emissions, textile waste, and use of plastics significantly. Cotton On is taking small steps but has considerable room for improvement in terms of environmental sustainability and ethical practices.
