The topic of environmental and climate protection is currently becoming more and more important all over the world. And sustainability is already a big topic in the fashion industry . Sustainable jeans in particular are currently all the rage. Rightly so! Because jeans are a huge burden on the environment. Did you know, for example, that an average of 8,000 liters of water are needed to make a single pair of jeans? Added to this are the millions of tons of chemicals that are required for the production of denim pants. Jeans with a destroyed or used look are extremely harmful to the environment . To make the pants look as old and worn as possible, they are literally destroyed with the use of even more water and toxic chemicals.
Some fashion labels have already recognized that this cannot continue. They pay attention to fair working conditions, do not use any toxic chemicals in the manufacture of jeans and waste fewer resources. We introduce you to five jeans brands that prove that fashion can be beautiful and at the same time sustainable and fair.
That’s why sustainable jeans are better for the environment
Jeans are one of the most polluting items of clothing in the entire fashion industry. A major problem with growing cotton is the use of toxic pesticides and insecticides. These chemicals not only harm the animal and plant world, but also get into natural waters via sewage and thus contaminate our drinking water.
In addition, there is the enormous water consumption that is required for the cultivation of cotton. Approx. 8,000 liters of water are required for just one pair of jeans. In many countries, the artificial irrigation of the fields is leading to a scarcity of drinking water and desertification of the soil. But not only cultivation requires a lot of water. Coloring the jeans is also a big problem. Harmful chemicals such as arsenic, lead or mercury are used to dissolve the denim dye “indigo”. And chlorine is used to bleach jeans. These chemicals also find their way into the ground and drinking water.
Another point: In the fashion industry, there are often extremely poor working conditions. The workers receive far too low wages, do not have health insurance and often come into direct contact with the chemicals used during jeans production. One big problem is, for example, so-called sandblasting, which is required for the used effect. Here, sand is shot at the fabric under high pressure. Since the workers rarely wear a breathing mask, this can lead to serious lung damage or fatal silicosis (dust lung).
But there is another way. This is proven by labels that pay attention to fair wages, occupational safety measures, the use of biological materials and sustainable production processes. Sustainable jeans are made from organic cotton grown without harsh chemicals. This will prevent pollution of the air, water and soil. In addition, production methods are used in which a large amount of water and energy can be saved.
Sustainable fashion: how do I recognize fair jeans?
You want to shop more consciously, but you don’t know exactly how to recognize sustainable jeans? Unfortunately, it is not always that easy to see who really offers sustainable fashion and who only does green washing. Our tip: Take a look around the website clean- clothing.de . There you will find tips on how to recognize fair fashion and you can find out more about the various brands. You want to shop more consciously, but you don’t know exactly how to recognize sustainable jeans? Unfortunately, it’s not always that easy to see who is really sustainable Fashion and who only does green washing. around. There you will find tips on how to recognize fair fashion and you can find out more about the various brands.
You can usually recognize sustainable jeans by the IVN Best seal, the Fairtrade seal (Fairtrade Cotton) or the GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification. Also make sure that the jeans are made from 100% organic cotton. The more organic cotton was used for production, the more sustainable the piece. For example, jeans made from recycled denim or where only natural dyeing techniques are used are also sustainable.
These 5 jeans labels produce fairly
1: poor angels
The Cologne-based fashion label Armedangel has set itself the guideline “Eco and Fair” and has been proving since 2007 that fashion can be sustainable and super stylish at the same time.The Cologne-based fashion label Armedangel has committed itself to the guidelines “Eco and Fair” and has been proving that since 2007 Fashion can be sustainable and super stylish at the same time.
Under the category “Detox Denim” you will find jeans that are made from organic cotton according to GOTS standards. In addition, Armedangels only uses artificial indigo, which means that no harmful heavy metals get into the wastewater during the dyeing process. The fabrics are also only bleached with modern laser and ozone washing technology, for which 85 percent fewer chemicals are used and 67 percent water and 62 percent energy are saved. In addition, the label completely dispenses with leather patches and uses Jacron labels made of paper instead. For this reason, the jeans can also carry the “PETA-Approved Vegan” logo of the animal rights organization PETA.
2: nudie jeans
The Swedish label Nudie Jeans also focuses on sustainability, environmental protection and fair production conditions. Nudie Jeans carries the GOTS seal of approval and produces exclusively with recycled materials and cotton, which is 100% organically grown. The brand is also a member of the non-profit organization “Fair Wear Foundation”, which works to improve working conditions in the textile industry.
3: Kings of Indigo
Another fair label that produces sustainable jeans is the Dutch brand “Kings Of Indigo”. Kings Of Indigo only uses recycled cotton from old second hand clothing , organic cotton or linen for their production .
RE / DONE
The next sustainable brand that you should definitely know is RE / DONE. RE / DONE is actually not a real jeans brand, rather the label is known for upcycling traditional jeans brands like Levi’s.
And it works like this: The designers at RE / DONE take old Levi’s jeans completely apart and give them a new look with embroidery, patches or by re-coloring. In addition, the cuts are adapted to the current jeans trends . Thus, no two models are alike, which is more than awesome.
5: Kuyichi
The sustainable jeans label Kuyichi has been around since 2001. The label was founded on a trip to Peru. There the founders were shocked to see how much poverty and what pollution there is in the country.
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