Puratium

What Is The Cleanest Water In The World? Here’s What The Research Says

Laura Wey — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 08:58:42 +0000

At any given point in time, water makes up around 40-62% of our entire body mass [1]. And even if you didn’t know that, you already understand how absolutely crucial safe drinking water is in our daily lives.

Without drinking water, human beings would only survive 3-4 days, making water one of the most important things that support human life.

Unfortunately, water quality remains a pressing public health issue in many areas across the globe, even in fairly developed countries like the US.

But some countries have excellent water purification systems that really prioritize providing potable water to their citizens. Here are some nations with the cleanest water in the world.

Countries With High-Quality Drinking Water

To be clear, we’re not really in any position to claim which country truly has the cleanest water in the world. Claims such as those are largely unfounded and we aren’t of authority to make such claims.

However, we’ve done our research and found that the following countries have some of the best water in the world!

While not all of these areas have water sources that mimic those before the world industrial revolution, they do prioritize ensuring that their water is clean and free of dangerous substances.

Finland

Finland is a Scandanavian nation popular for having one of the world’s best education systems and being one of the happiest countries in the world.

One more thing we can add to that list of achievements is the fact that Finland has excellent water quality and has some of the world’s cleanest tap water. Finland also has incredibly clean air and has one of the best air quality ratings in the world.

The country is given the highest rating of 100 in the Yale Environmental Performance Index (Sanitation & Drinking Water), and this rating is based on how well countries protect their citizens from unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation.

In Finland, water from their water supply is of good quality and is generally safe to use for drinking and cooking. Their water comes from several sources, including groundwater, surface water, and artificial groundwater.

The water sourced by supply plants is then processed accordingly, with the degree of processing depending on how clean the water is as it comes from the source.

Surface water is always disinfected before it joins the supply, while groundwater may no longer need sanitation provided it is clean enough.

The goal of the country’s water management system is to routinely provide safe and clean water every day, preventing possible water-borne epidemics like diarrhea.

The Finnish tap water system is highly organized and undergoes stringent quality control, with larger supply plants undergoing more frequent quality analysis.

Best of all, information about their water plants is typically available on plant websites, ensuring that constituents are aware and informed of how clean and safe their tap water actually is.

It is clear that Finland views clean water accessibility as a health concern that all citizens must have at a reasonable cost—no wonder the Finnish are some of the most satisfied and happy in the world!

Iceland

Icelandic water has a variety of household uses and its use extends beyond being a simple source of drinking water.

While aquifers are generally used for safe drinking water, geothermal water sources can be used to heat up homes, and geothermal steam is used for generating energy—all important for good quality of life.

Water in Iceland is generally unpolluted and is safe to drink from the source, reducing overall processing. Most of the water in Iceland comes from natural springs, which yield the purest water without requiring additional filtering or chemical additives.

Their hospitality industry has also been encouraging tourists to drink tap water rather than buy bottled water as the tap quality is pretty much the same as that of what you can buy in a bottle.

Bringing your own reusable water will not only save you money but will also reduce plastic waste at no cost to you. So if you do end up going to Iceland, try to utilize their fresh, drinkable tap water.

Do note though that Icelandic water can sometimes have a sulphuric smell. This is mainly due to the water’s source and does not actually indicate that the water is dirty or contaminated.

Norway

Norway is popular for its fjords, majestic night skies, freshwater lakes, as well as a rich history of folklore. On top of that, Norway also has some of the cleanest water in the world.

Norway actually has pretty good access to clean water sources that have low concentrations of heavy metals, pollutants, and pesticides, among other unwanted substances in the water.

Around 90% of the country’s population drinks water from waterworks that require approval from the Norweigan Food Safety Authority to continue providing water to citizens. Only 10% of Norway’s water comes from surface water basins while the other 90% comes from ponds, lakes, streams, and brooks.

Norway’s water system has seen a lot of improvement over the last few decades and their water hasn’t always been as great as it is today. When their initiatives began, over a thousand waterworks did not pass the strict guidelines for clean water. Today, that number is markedly improved.

Norway is proof that having the cleanest drinking water isn’t always about sourcing fresh, spring water with almost no bacteria. Sometimes, it’s just a lot of work, treatment, and addressing sanitation issues at their root.

The Netherlands

Tap water in The Netherlands is generally of good quality. The Dutch government ensures safety measures are in place to ensure that water is of consistent quality.

60% of the country’s water comes from groundwater while the other 40% comes from surface water. Their top concern when it comes to their water quality is the source.

Around half of the Netherlands’ groundwater extraction points are affected by human activity. Meaning, that water quality is influenced by human activities, most notably medicine, agriculture, sewage, and soil contamination.

Nevertheless, Dutch water remains of good quality because authorities make sure water is purified before it enters the tap. The quality of the country’s tap water manages to hit their standards 99.9% of the time [2], making their water clean, safe, and accessible.

The Netherlands is a good example of how policies and proper interventions can increase people’s quality of life.Without systemic interventions on the government level, much of what we’re doing is for naught.

Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the world’s wealthiest countries and has an excellent reputation when it comes to quality of life. Yet despite that, did you know that Switzerland is actually one of the smallest countries in Western Europe? The entire land area of the nation is about the same as that of New Jersey.

Swiss tap water is not naturally the cleanest water in the world. They managed to achieve this feat through years of investment and time, and maintaining this level of quality requires certain initiatives that are necessary for further development.

But perhaps the best thing about Switzerland’s clean drinking water is the fact that they don’t sugarcoat the issues that come with preserving the quality of water they currently have.

This degree of transparency is exactly what we need to see more of from our authorities and policymakers.

For instance, Switzerland consumes a lot of pesticides, and around 20% of its drinking water sources are affected by increased pesticide use. This is a pressing issue that Swiss authorities are trying to stay on top of.

Problematic wastewater has to be pre-treated at its source and alternative protection measures should also be implemented.

One alternative method the country is currently implementing is banning the unauthorized use of certain dangerous substances and pesticides, with their use being subject to approval.

Doing this allows them to address the issue at its source, making their water treatment methods more sustainable. If we keep addressing issues of water pollution simply through more treatment, the economic burden of safe drinking water can quickly add up.

Is Tap Water Better Than Bottled Water?

If you still drink bottled water, you probably understand that it can very quickly become expensive. Tap water, on the other hand, is a much more economical choice but may not be the most ideal solution for everyone since not all tap water is safe to drink.

But if you do live in an area where tap water is safe, even if you have to put it through a filter, it is almost always the more ideal option.

Unlike bottled water, tap water will not generate plastic waste and is a sustainable resource provided you use it responsibly. It is also much cheaper than most bottled water options.

When we went low (zero) waste a few years ago, we saved the most money by skipping bottled water and opting for filtered tap water instead. You can read more about how much we saved by going zero waste here.

Even if your location doesn’t have the cleanest water in the world, you can still use your tap!

Of course, this is still dependent on how clean the water is where you are. In some locations, water has a lot of heavy meals and water control isn’t subject to strict regulations, if so, you might want to consider different drinking water options.

Before you take the leap toward drinking tap, please make sure to conduct your due diligence. Try looking up your local water supply and see where they source their water. Information on how the water is processed from the source is also exceedingly helpful.

If you’re going on vacation to a new location, bottled water isn’t your only option! Some places, like the ones we mentioned above, have some of the best drinking water in the world, and you’re most likely safe drinking from their tap.

But before you get to the area, make sure to check if they have clean water first. Most of this information should be available online, especially if you’re traveling to developed areas or tourist-heavy nations.

Challenges In Making Drinking Water Clean and Safe

In our research of the preceding countries, we noticed one particular theme emerge: human activities interfere with clean water.

In most of the countries we mentioned, clean water is not always a given. Even when sourced from natural resources, it is almost always impossible to source the purest drinking water due to contamination.

Our mere existence as human beings, and all the waste that comes with it, is a barrier to obtaining completely safe water.

For instance, surface water is generally treated more than groundwater as it is more exposed to certain chemicals like pesticides, which are some of the biggest threats to access clean water.

Countries being able to provide citizens with clean tap water is a privilege, although we argue it should be a right.

It requires years of investment in public health to ensure people have access to clean and safe water. It requires constant maintenance and stringent quality control to ensure water remains potable, even without further filtration.

When we think about how human activities impact our water, it helps put into perspective how truly cyclical our actions are. Because we use pesticides, our water quality is compromised, and yet these pesticides are often important in feeding such a large number of individuals, and so on.

Pesticides and other plant protection products are also very prevalent in our clothes, especially if you like wearing cotton. Fashion impacts our environment more than you think, read more about it here.

The bottom line is that clean water cannot be achieved through purification techniques alone. On a deeper level, we have to focus on reducing our impact on water, which is what many countries above are already doing to achieve incredibly clean and perfectly safe tap water.

Final Thoughts

In the countries we mentioned above, drinking water is a safe, easily accessible resource for most people. But in other countries, access to safe water remains a public health concern.

According to the World Health Organization, a startling 25% of people do not have access to safe and clean water, making life quite difficult indeed. In fact, water scarcity plagues numerous countries in Africa, and the urban poor often bears this unfortunate burden.

Like with everything in the environment, our quality of water and ecological health are tied together. Climate Change has altered accessibility to water across the globe, and it has undoubtedly made life more difficult for many.

Our environmental issues regarding water don’t just stop at reducing waste from plastic bottled water, it also has plenty to do with how the planet is changing in response to human action.

Resources:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00394-020-02296-z
https://www.rivm.nl/en/soil-and-water/drinking-water/quality-of-drinking-water

The post What Is The Cleanest Water In The World? Here’s What The Research Says appeared first on Puratium.

Glass vs plastic: Which Material Should You Opt For?

Alex Espiritu — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 16:05:31 +0000

Glass and plastic are two of the world’s most used packaging materials. In the sustainability industry, glass has a far better rapport than plastic, which is known for its heavy environmental footprint.

All glass bottles and plastic packaging consume resources and generate greenhouse gas emissions during production—especially when making new plastic or glass.

In 2019, the United Nations Environment Assembly noted that reducing the impacts of sand mining and moving towards less environmentally damaging, less carbon-intensive, more efficient circular economies in construction should be some of our top global priorities.

And although glass is almost always seen as an environmentally-friendly alternative to plastic, the conversation is much more nuanced and complex than you might have first thought.

So with that, let’s take a deeper dive into glass vs plastic, how they’re made, their environmental impact, and what it means to use these materials in your daily life.

Glass

Glass is a hard yet brittle substance we know best as the translucent or semi-translucent material we use in our plates, cups, windows, jars, and plenty more. It is so prevalent in our daily lives that in any house you go to, there is sure to be a glass bottle or two.

Glass can be colored, clear, and come in a wide variety of forms and shapes.

This material is unique in how it behaves like a solid yet is actually made from a liquid! It is also strong enough to become windows and floors for skyscrapers, yet at the end of the day, is still a fragile, brittle material.

It’s pretty interesting to see how much we use glass throughout all aspects of life—cooking, architecture, science, and so much more.

In eco friendly circles, glass containers are seen as environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic bottles since they are infinitely recyclable and aren’t made of petrochemicals.

A common feature in many sustainable kitchens and living areas is the presence of repurposed glass jars utilized for many different reasons—containers, decor, dry goods storage, etc.

If you’re like us and are also trying to go zero waste, you’d understand how much of a household staple glass is. Have no idea how to start with zero waste? Check out our beginner’s guide here.

But is glass really as eco friendly as we think? Not really, and we’ll see just why in a quick minute.

A Brief History of Glass

Glass is made by subjecting sand to incredibly high temperatures (think: 1500 degrees Celsius) and cooling it down to form a clear and hard substance.

Knowing this, would you believe that glass was used by human beings as early as 2600 BC? Yep! Humans have been making and using glass for thousands of years, and no one knows for sure who discovered it first.

All we know is that glass beads and rods were already being used as early as then. What’s interesting to note is that these early uses of glass were mostly found in places like Ancient Egypt, where there was an abundance of sand.

And just like many other early discoveries, maybe glass was discovered purely by accident! And what a lovely accident that was. Today, we use glass in so many aspects of our life that you probably can’t go a day without seeing at least some glass in your environment.

And although we now use glass in a very different manner than the Ancient Egyptians, the method for making glass remains largely the same, albeit a little more complex due to industrial conditions.

How Is Glass Made?

Much of the environmental impact of glass has to do with how it’s made. We know that glass can be made by heating sand to high heat levels and cooling it down in sheets, jars, etc.

But that’s only touching the tip of the iceberg. Glass made under industrial conditions is made from all sorts of materials, not just sand.

More specifically, a mixture of sand (together with glass waste), limestone, and soda ash are placed in a kiln and heated up to around 1500 degrees Celcius, sometimes even more. This allows the mixture to melt into molten sand, a state that looks pretty much like lava.

Soda ash is an interesting component of glass making. Its main purpose in the mixture is to lower the melting point of sand, which reduces the overall energy consumption of glass manufacturing.

However, adding ash to this mixture has the unwanted effect of creating glass that will not stand against water (it will melt in the water).

As a solution, limestone, or calcium carbonate is added to ensure the glass stays hard and strong. This process is why you may see typical glass referred to as soda-lime-silica glass.

Creating colors in glass requires more science. Different types of chemicals are added to the mixture in an effort to create reactions that will alter the tint and properties of the glass.

For instance, adding iron oxides to glass will create green and brown pigments. Adding cobalt oxide will create a deep blue hue and adding selenium compounds will create reds. There are plenty of other color combinations that can be made from glass, and all of them involve chemistry.

Processing glass can also involve metallic compounds to create glass that has an iridescent effect. Sometimes, glass may even be “decolorized” by removing any impurities from the sand—a technique best used to create really clear glass.

Once the sand mixture and pigments are molten, they are cooled down in sheets or blown into shapes, depending on what the glass will be used for. Very tough glass is achieved by cooling down the molten mixture very rapidly.

Countless other alterations to the raw materials and production process will create different variations of glass, each one just a little it distinct from another.

Is Glass Eco Friendly?

Although glass is often spoken of highly in sustainability circles, most of the discourse surrounding this material is unfortunately very much lacking.

The world uses about 50 billion tons of sand annually, which is twice the amount our rivers are producing—making our sand use quite an environmentally dangerous activity after all.

You might be wondering how we could use so much sand when we barely ever see any sand apart from those found on our beaches.

But take a quick look around you. Your phone? It has glass in it. Your windows? They are made of glass. Your drinking glasses, oil bottles, pasta jars, and many other items in your home that you’ve gotten very accustomed to are made of glass.

According to this 2013 study [2], mineral extraction and construction are both major contributors to climate change. And while those glass food containers in your fridge definitely don’t require as much sand as glass paneling for a skyscraper, this information tells us to look at things from another perspective.

In actuality, one of the most important regional challenges we face today is how to protect our sand and gravel resources from being overexploited due to increasing demand [3].

These raw materials, while easy to extract, are crucial to ecological balance as they provide protection against flood, help with groundwater storage and filtering, assist with food production, etc.

The moment we take a look at glass as a scarce resource, it ceases to become the quintessential environmental tool. And frankly, it’s quite a jarring thought to think that many of our preconceived notions about the sustainability of glass aren’t actually rooted in factual information.

All of this still hasn’t touched on the fact that glass production generates emissions and uses fossil fuels.

As established, creating glass requires a lot of high heat. And in industrial applications, a lot of this heat is generated through fossil fuels—another unsustainable resource.

While glass itself may not be made from a petrochemical, natural gas is still used to create our glass bottles, still generating tons of carbon emissions annually.

On top of that, glass is heavy! Transportation is yet another big part of any product’s carbon footprint, and the heavier an item is, the more environmentally costly it is to transport.

Ready-to-drink beverages are some of the best examples of how weight can contribute to environmental impact.

Beverages, as they are predominantly made from water, are already heavy and a challenge to transport.

Container glass packaging only adds to each product’s weight and will directly contribute to how eco friendly the whole supply chain of glass truly is. After all, a glass bottle is much heavier than one made from plastic or aluminum.

Can Glass Be Eco Friendly?

The topic of glass sustainability is a difficult one to broach, especially in the context of glass vs. plastic. However, there are some instances when glass can be eco friendly!

Like plastic, glass can also be recycled. And in fact, we mentioned that glass production typically starts with sand and recycled glass pieces together. Using recycled material to create glass containers is one of the best ways to improve the environmental impacts of this product.

If the production process starts with recycled glass, a huge chunk of the impact is taken out because no new sand is required to make it.

Unfortunately, we recycle glass at a measly rate of 31.3%. According to the EPA, the United States recycled 3.1 million tons of glass in 2018, which roughly amounts to a third of the total glass waste generated in the same time period.

This means two-thirds of the glass products we use are still left unrecycled.

So if you do end up opting for it, just make sure to recycle glass properly to increase the chances of it being reused in new products.

Plastic

Now let’s move on to one of the most controversial packaging materials in sustainability: plastic.

Plastic bottles are one of the most disliked methods of packaging, especially when you’re trying to shop more eco friendly. If you are currently practicing a zero waste lifestyle, then you know quite well the dangers of plastic and why we should avoid it if we can.

But there’s actually more to plastic than what most of us know on the surface level.

Plastic is an incredibly versatile material that has somehow found itself in every part of modern living. It’s in our kitchen appliances, our cellphones, medical equipment, cars, and so much more.

Some examples of plastics we use today are low-density polyethylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polypropylene, among others. These can come in the form of plastic bottles, plastic containers, styrofoam boxes, and even plastic lumber!

In essence, plastic can simply be described as a synthetic polymer. Polymers are a chain of monomers and can be found in our natural environment. Some natural polymers are rubber, silk, and wool.

And if ever you’re confused about it, just remember that all plastics are polymers but not all polymers are plastic.

A Brief History of Plastic

Unlike glass, people have only been using plastic for about a century or so. Because plastic is a synthetic material, it was only through innovation and necessity that plastic became such a relevant part of our daily lives.

In the 1860s, Alexander Parkes created the world’s first man-made plastic, Parkesine. It was meant to be a plastic substitute for materials like ivory and horn but the product was not met with commercial success.

John Wesley Hyatt further improved this innovation and created something called celluloid, which had more versatile applications and was the more commercially successful variant.

Nevertheless, these plastics were still made from natural components and it wasn’t until the early 1900s that we created a wholly synthetic plastic called Bakelite. Bakelite was created from formaldehyde and phenol, and its applications are mainly geared toward electrical equipment.

In the next decade following this initial discovery, synthetic fabrics like rayon came into the picture. Although rayons are fabrics and not your typical plastic containers, they’re still important in understanding how our plastic industry came to be as large as it is today.

While there were already polymers existing in the market as early as the 1920s to 1930s, it really wasn’t until the second World War that plastic began to take hold of our daily lives.

Plastic was even used during the war as a way for countries to gain an upper hand against their opponents by protecting formulas as state secrets. Many synthetic materials like nylon and rayon were popularized during the war.

After the war, plastic quickly made a transition to becoming a commercially produced product for the consumer market. During this time, plastics we use today like high-density polyethylene were also developed, although not nearly as refined and perfected.

How Is Plastic Made?

Plastic production may begin with a wide variety of synthetic or bioavailable materials. It can be made from cellulose, crude oil, salt, and natural gas—although oil and gas are the most commonly used ones.

These virgin materials are actually part of the reason why plastic gets such a bad reputation for use in packaging because these are finite resources and will eventually run out.

Making plastic is a highly chemical process that generally begins with oil extraction (although other materials like biomass could also be used). The extracted raw material is then refined into different petroleum products.

The crude oil is then heated up in a furnace and then distilled, which separates the oil into lighter components referred to as fractions. The goal of the refining process is to create monomers, which are the building blocks of all polymers.

Ethylene and propylene are a few examples of frequently used monomers in plastic production.

These monomers are further processed through polymerization, which is the process of connecting monomers into chains to create polymers. This can be done through addition polymerization or condensation polymerization.

The polymers are then extruded and melted, which forms the plastic that can be cut up into pellets for further melting and processing. Once the new plastic has been successfully cut into pellets, it can then be melted (again) and molded into virtually anything (e.g., a plastic bottle, bags).

This is an incredibly simplified version of how plastic is made, and industrial production is no doubt more complex and intricate.

Unfortunately, the entire process generates greenhouse gas emissions and has a huge carbon footprint, making it not sustainable from an ecological standpoint.

Is Plastic Eco Friendly?

Plastic and eco friendly are two words that you do not often hear used together, mainly because plastic is seen as an unsustainable packaging option.

And if we really think about it, plastic isn’t eco friendly at all! From the very beginning of production, it already takes up a lot of natural resources that we can’t regenerate.

In addition, refining oil into monomers also takes up a lot of energy and generates plenty of greenhouse gases. And when we consider how prevalent plastic use is, the greater picture doesn’t look too good.

But perhaps one of the most distressing issues about plastic is plastic waste.

Plastic does not have the best life cycle assessment. Most types of plastic will not biodegrade under normal conditions and will remain in our environment for the longest time. A common belief is that all plastic that has ever been made is still around, and they’ll still be there long after we’re gone.

However, thanks to innovation and research, there are now certain types of plastic that will degrade under industrial conditions. These plastics are typically biobased and are turned plastic through unique processes.

Now, you might be wondering, what about recycling? In our assessment of glass, recycling seemed to help with the global warming potential of the material, and doesn’t the same thing apply here with plastic?

Ideally, it should! Chucking plastic into the recycling bin is an easy enough thing to do, right?

Unfortunately, there are a lot of drawbacks to plastic recycling. One is that plastic degrades as it is recycled. This means that the more plastic is recycled, the lower its quality eventually becomes.

This does not happen with glass since glass can be recycled indefinitely without any reduction in quality. If we’re only talking about recycling glass vs. plastic, then glass is the easy answer.

Another issue is the really low recycling rate of plastics overall. According to the latest data by the EPA, the United States only recycled around 8.7% of plastics in 2018. Some types of plastic, like PET bottles, have higher recycling rates at about 29% or so.

The recycling differences in glass vs plastic are incredibly important whenever choosing between the two materials, so make sure to always take them into consideration.

Low recycling rate and improper waste disposal contribute to environmental degradation in more ways than one. Perhaps one of the most notorious evils of plastic is its uncanny ability to end up in places where it shouldn’t be.

Plastic has been found in the stomachs of birds, and whales, and it clogs up the digestive systems of countless other animals. Even the microplastics that your polyester sweaters shed may eventually end up in the stomach of fish!

This, in itself, may be enough to deter you from buying plastic.

Regardless, there are some instances when plastic is the more practical choice. Medicine, for example, requires a lot of plastic. The face masks that have been a staple in most households over the past two years are made of plastic, after all.

Plastic is also required for optimum sanitation. When dealing with dangerous medical substances, it’s best to use plastic for easy disposal. Plastic is also used to prevent cross-contamination, among a host of many other medicinal uses.

But if the environment is our only consideration, plastic is not eco friendly at all. Right from the extraction process up until disposal, creating and using plastic emits plenty of carbon dioxide and pollutes our environment—not exactly what you’re looking for in an eco friendly material.

Nevertheless, there could be instances where you can reduce the impact of plastic such as using recycled plastic or repurposing your plastic containers at home.

Glass Vs. Plastic

So, in the conversation on glass vs plastic, which material comes out victorious? Is it the plastic bottle we’ve grown to despise? Or is it the glass containers that we’ve grown to love yet have surprisingly more environmental impact than we initially thought?

Unfortunately, there’s still no clear answer. After an in-depth analysis of both materials, there’s no clear winner as to which material is the best from an environmental standpoint. Both of these materials have environmental effects, and consequences are always present regardless of which option you choose.

Our advice then is to choose which one fits your needs the best. Some people will opt for glass because it isn’t processed with toxic chemicals, which most plastics tend to be. Therefore, glass is the better option when it comes to making a healthier choice.

And once you’ve decided, the second layer of advice we can give is to buy recycled glass or plastic. Our personal recommendation would be glass, but if this is not practicable for your lifestyle, then choosing repurposed plastic may be the second best option.

Final Thoughts

Glass vs. plastic; is there a clear answer to which of these materials you should use?

Ultimately, the choice is up to you. The glass vs plastic conversation is one of the most controversial topics in sustainability, and it is so for a reason!

But if there’s anything we can take away from this discussion, it’s that things are rarely ever as they seem. As it turns out, virgin glass can be just as problematic as plastic jars, albeit in a different manner.

And as with anything in sustainability, we always need to exert more effort in uncovering the truth. There are no quick and easy solutions to our climate issues, and if we want true change to happen, we need to deal with the issues through a systemic approach.

Regardless of what you decide, just know that there are rarely any black and white answers to our questions.

In choosing glass vs plastic, just make sure they’re recycled properly and that you’re making the most prudent choice for your lifestyle.

Resources:

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/es402618m
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S259033222100230X#bib7

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What Is French Terry Material & Its Uses

Alex Espiritu — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 15:47:43 +0000

Colder seasons are a time for sweaters, sweatpants, hoodies, and all the other cozy pieces in your closet.

You might not know it, but a lot of your comfy fall clothing is actually made out of french terry—a material commonly used in loungewear and other clothes that require a mid-weight fabric.

Despite their prominence in our actual clothes, not very many people know about french terry fabrics.

To get to know our clothes better, let’s take a closer look at french terry’s fabric composition, pros, and what makes it different from other comparable materials like sweatshirt fleece fabric and towel terry.

What is French Terry Fabric?

The first thing you need to know about french terry is that it’s a knit fabric. Unlike woven fabrics, knit fabrics are typically made using interconnecting loops rather than straight lines layered over each other.

Knit fabrics are frequently used for clothes that require mid to heavy-weight fabric because knitted fabric can be super warm and cozy. This is also why you see many sweaters and pullovers referred to as knitwear.

French terry fabric is unique in how the woven pills are uncut, leaving behind a soft interior with a smooth outer fabric. If you take a look at your french terry clothing, you will see that the inner side of the fabric feels soft and fluffy while the outside looks flat and smooth.

Single knit fabrics like french terry and fleece are characterized by the difference in the two sides of each fabric. Double knit fabrics, on the other hand, are made with two sets of needles creating loops on both sides of the fabric, not just one.

If you’re curious about the difference between french terry and fleece, don’t worry, we’ll get to it in more detail in a later section.

What is French Terry Made Of?

French terry fabric can be made from a variety of materials. However, most french terry today is made from cotton or cotton blended with other fabrics like polyester, rayon, and even spandex for more stretch.

The material used to make french terry fabric is crucial in how the final product will turn out. If it’s made of pure cotton, then the knit fabric will most likely turn out durable and will only get better with age, much like a typical cotton t-shirt.

It is also very important to understand that french terry fabric isn’t a type of fabric like cotton, silk, wool, etc. Instead, it’s a method of knitting that leads to one side of flush loops and another side of thicker, uncut piles.

For instance, cotton can be made into french terry fabric, jersey fabric, and even sweatshirt fleece! Although these three materials are all made from the same thing, their appearance and feel are not the same at all.

Variations of Terry Fabrics

Terry Cloth (Towel Terry)

Terry cloth, better known as towel terry, is a type of terry fabric that has yarn loops on both sides.

As the name implies, towel terry is most often used for bath towels because it is a very absorbent fabric thanks to the long loops of thread the knit creates. If you noticed that your towels have a fuzzy texture, those are due to the uncut soft piles of yarn on either side of the fabric.

If you want to know how more about french terry vs towel terry, we’ll discuss it in more detail in a later section.

French Terry

French terry is a mid-weight fabric similar to towel terry except one side is a smooth and soft surface while the other is quite fluffy.

French terry is lighter than the material used for heavy sweatshirts but it is heavier than the typical materials used to make a t-shirt. It’s thick enough to wear during cooler weather but not too thick that you can’t wear it during warmer months.

Although absorbent like towel terry and warm like sweatshirt fleece, french terry is still breathable and comfortable for everyday wear.

Terry Velour

Terry velour is very similar to french terry in that it has one side with a smooth surface and the other made of yarn piles.

The main difference between french terry and terry velour is that the smooth side of the velour feels a lot like velvet. It’s plush, smooth, and creates a unique, almost shiny appearance.

French Terry vs. Fleece Fabrics

Fleece is a knit fabric that’s often confused with cotton french terry.

Just like french terry, there’s a high likelihood that you have some sweatshirt fleece in your closet as it’s also one of the more popular materials to use in sweaters and joggers.

Although french terry and fleece are frequently mistaken for one another, they actually have a very significant difference: the loops.

Both french terry and fleece are made in a similar manner with loops of fiber knit on a surface, creating piles of cotton.

But with french terry fabric, the cotton piles on one end of the fabric are left uncut and the other side remains smooth, which creates the classic texture we’re so familiar with.

But with sweatshirt fleece, the piles are cut to create a soft, fuzzy texture that’s super comfortable against the skin. For this reason, sweatshirt fleece is a much warmer knit fabric than regular french terry.

Both french terry and fleece are good for staying at home but are not the best fabrics for working out. When you wear french terry cloth, you can maybe get away with light to moderate workouts, but don’t expect a lot of great moisture-wicking properties from these fabrics.

If you’re still on the fence about which of these single knit fabrics to buy, just take into consideration the garment’s future use. If you want to use it more at home during colder seasons, then go for fleece.

But if you’re looking for something that can be worn all year round, then french terry is the single knit fabric of choice.

French Terry Vs. Terry Cloth

One of the most common questions people ask when talking about french terry is whether or not it’s the same thing as terry cloth, which is arguably the more popular fabric.

Terry cloth is ordinarily used in towels and robes. By its nature, towel terry is super absorbent thanks to the loops of fiber on each side of the fabric. However, terry cloth is not very wearable in a casual setting.

Although terry cloth is a great fabric, it isn’t something you want to wear out in public unless you’re going for a loungewear aesthetic.

In essence, terry cloth and french terry fabric are the same things except for one significant difference. Instead of both sides having uncut piles, french terry fabric only has one side with fluffy loops.

This makes french terry the more wearable option as you can use it for casual wear while still benefitting from its warming properties.

Surprisingly though, terry cloth seems to be quite a trend in the 2020s! Many brands are coming out with swimwear lines made from terry cloth, as well as other types of more summery, casual clothing.

If you do end up buying terry clothing, just make sure to opt for sustainably sourced cotton like organic or regenerative cotton. If you can find some, recycled cotton is also great alternative.

Is French Terry Fabric Expensive?

Just like many other fabrics, french terry can be bought at a wide range of prices with fabric quality being the most relevant price factor.

Due to the way it’s made, french terry clothing can be a little more expensive than the typical t-shirt. The thickness of the fabric is also a factor that adds to the price of this particular material.

But, french terry is mostly just cotton after all, so it doesn’t come close to the price of luxury fabrics like silk. If you stumble upon french terry that’s made from more expensive fabrics like organic cotton or Tencel lyocell, then expect that you will also have to pay a higher price.

However, do take note that these fabrics are by far the more sustainable choice compared to conventionally produced cotton.

Most sustainable companies offer organic cotton and lyocell in their collections, and the added value of sustainability is almost always evident in pricing.

Does French Terry Wrinkle?

Okay, you know all those details about french terry but you want to know one thing: does it wrinkle easily?

French terry, just like sweatshirt fleece, does not wrinkle easily because it is a knit fabric. It has a natural stretch to it and the knitting will keep most wrinkles away.

Just picture one of your favorite hoodies and try to imagine if you’ve ever seen one of them wrinkle. Probably not, right?

Although french terry doesn’t wrinkle easily, it will still crease if not taken care of properly. Fortunately, french terry is a low-maintenance fabric, as we’ll see in the next section.

French Terry Aftercare

One of the best things about french terry is how easy it is to care for. This durable fabric can easily be put in the washing machine without considerable damage. It does not require dry cleaning or other forms of clothing maintenance.

You will find that washing in cold water and tumble drying on low will yield the best results.

But does french terry shrink in the wash? It can. Because french terry fabric is generally made from cotton, there is a likelihood that it will shrink when you wash it.

However, many french terry clothes come pre-shrunk, so just make sure to check the product listing or tag for appropriate care instructions.

French terry is a versatile fabric that can be made under sustainable conditions (see more below), but it should still be cared for to prolong its life.

Depending on what the french terry is made of, you will have to exert different levels of care. If it has synthetic materials blended into the cotton thread, that is another thing you will have to consider as well.

Is French Terry Moisture Wicking?

Aside from loungewear, french terry is also used a lot in workout clothes. More specifically, it is used to make layers like workout hoodies or joggers. These are useful for when you want to workout outside and the weather isn’t exactly ideal for exercise.

Terry workout clothing is not the best worn in warmer weather, but the choice is ultimately up to you.

On that note, french terry, as well as sweatshirt fleece, are not the most moisture-wicking fabrics. They are meant to be absorbent and are more likely to simply absorb sweat than efficiently wick it away.

French terry fabric is not meant to be a performance fabric. While it will serve its purpose when working out, there are many other materials out there that will provide more efficient moisture-wicking properties.

Is French Terry Sustainable?

French terry is not inherently unsustainable. Again, it is mainly a way of making fabric, not really a material itself.

The sustainability factor has primarily to do with the raw material used to create french terry fabric—predominantly cotton/cotton blends.

As many of us here know, conventional cotton is NOT a sustainable material. Almost 16% of the world’s pesticide use can be attributed to cotton production despite the fact that it only accounts for about 2% of our total global crops.

These numbers indicate that cotton production requires a copious amount of potentially harmful chemicals. And these chemicals aren’t properly disposed of most of the time.

In addition to that, conventional cotton is an incredibly thirsty crop. It requires about 6-7 megaliters per hectare to properly cultivate [1], although this number varies widely depending on how efficient water systems are in an area.

And although cotton is a natural material, it still undergoes plenty of processing and requires a lot of resources to grow.

All in all, the use of cotton in most french terry clothes makes them unsustainable—not to mention that cotton blends are often made with polyester and rayon, both of which aren’t sustainable materials either.

However, french terry fabrics do have the potential to be sustainable! If they’re made with the right materials, that is.

For instance, french terry fabric made with organic cotton is an excellent way to add a layer of sustainability to the otherwise unsustainable nature of cotton.

Organic cotton is cultivated without the use of harmful chemicals and uses considerably less water than conventionally produced cotton fibers. Therefore, french terry clothes made from organic cotton can be sustainable!

To show you it’s possible, here are some brands that use organic cotton in their french terry clothing.

Brands With French Terry Fabric

TenTree

TenTree is a sustainable clothing brand we’ve featured several times here at Puratium. They plant ten trees for every purchase made in their store (hence the name Ten Tree) and are focused on apparel production that is kind not only to the environment but to people as well.

TenTree has two categories of products made from french terry fabric, one is made from a blend of organic cotton, polyester, and spandex, while the other is made from 100% organic cotton.

Much of their french terry collection is made up of cozy loungewear like sweatpants, shorts, hoodies, and the like.

What’s great about Ten Tree’s collection is that you’re given plenty of color options with varying degrees of comfort and fits. The brand even has clothes made from fleece fabrics if that’s what you’re looking for.

Overall, Ten Tree is an excellent brand to get your french terry clothing from and we could not recommend them more.

Mate the Label

Mate is yet another quite popular sustainable clothing company known for its organic essentials that are clean from seed to skin.

As we mentioned, french terry knit is most frequently used for casual clothes that you can wear comfortably at home, which is exactly what Mate is going for with their collections.

Mate uses organic cotton french terry as their midweight fabric of choice, using the material in most of their light sweatshirts and shorts. They also have some terry t-shirts in their collection.

If you’re buying for your whole family, Mate is a great go-to brand since they also offer mini sweatshirts for your little ones! And if you’re looking for more warmth, go for the soft piles of their cotton blend fleece fabric (a combination of organic cotton and BCI cotton).

WVN

WVN (Woven) is a clothing brand borne out of three decades of experience in the apparel business. Their ultimate goal is to promote the idea of dressing planet positive with fibers that look great but are still kind to the environment.

The brand has a couple of french terry garments, most of which are sweatpants and hoodies.

Although WVN’s collection of french terry cloth isn’t that extensive, their status as a B Corporation makes buying from them an incredibly appealing choice.

B Corporations are known for how well they merge the financial goals of their business with social responsibility and eco-friendliness. So if you see a brand with a B Corp logo, you know they’re operating on the highest ethical and environmental standards.

Final Thoughts

French terry is a great midweight fabric for the comfiest pieces in your closet. This fabric is known for its soft piles and uncut yarn loops, rendering the fabric warm yet still breathable.

If you want to wear french terry, it’s best for cold weather where you won’t sweat very often, because although french terry fabric is breathable, it’s not exactly made for the tropics.

If you do choose french terry, we highly recommend that you go for organic options. Organic and natural fabrics have a much better environmental impact than synthetics (which make up most t-shirts today), so they’re almost always the more prudent choice.

Navigating through the world of fabrics can be a difficult thing at first. It isn’t easy to know the difference between single and double knits, towel terry or french terry, fleece fabrics and wool, and so much more!

But we hope this guide gave you some insight as to what french terry fabric is and how it fits into your sustainable closet.

Resources:

https://cottonaustralia.com.au/cottons-water-use

The post What Is French Terry Material & Its Uses appeared first on Puratium.

Is Glossier Vegan & Cruelty-Free? What Do We Know About The Makeup Brand?

Alex Espiritu — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 14:49:46 +0000

Glossier is a makeup brand many of us know for its clean aesthetic and focus on “barely there” makeup looks. Popular for their balms, blushes, and eyebrow grooming products, Glossier has managed to stay relevant in the makeup industry for close to a decade now.

But more than just their minimalist products, we also have to consider the ethics behind Glossier’s production.

Here’s a quick rundown of the most common questions regarding the brand’s ethical considerations:

Is Glossier Vegan? No, Glossier is not a vegan company.
Are Glossier products vegan? Not all Glossier products are vegan but they do have some vegan-friendly cosmetics.
Is Glossier cruelty-free? Yes! Glossier is cruelty-free and has the appropriate certifications to back them.
Is Glossier PETA-approved? No. Glossier is certified under the Leaping Bunny.
Does Glossier test on animals? No, Glossier does not test on animals at any time during production.
Is Glossier sold in Mainland China? No, Glossier products are not sold physically in Mainland China.
Is Glossier owned by a parent company? Glossier is currently an independent company.
Is Glossier a sustainable brand? Glossier is not specifically marketed to be a sustainable or eco friendly cosmetics company.

Glossier: The Brand

Glossier started with Into the Gloss, a beauty website where everyone could explore and talk about their favorite beauty products. Into the Gloss remains one of Glossier’s primary sources of inspiration, staying true to their promise of designing products that you wish existed.

Founded in late 2014, Glossier opened the doors for a new era in makeup. Gone were the days of thick foundation or ultra-heavy bronzer⁠—instead, Glossier offered makeup options that simply highlight what is already there.

Glossier quickly rose to popularity over the last decade, and years after its initial prominence, the brand has managed to retain its share of the makeup market.

But just like how clean makeup aesthetics have become more popular in the 2020s, it has also become more important to ask ourselves if the products we use are clean as well.

More than ever, consumers are becoming hyper-aware of the products they use. People are becoming more concerned about animal testing, cruelty-free conditions, socially responsible production, and the use of animal components in makeup⁠—as we all should.

Is Glossier Cruelty-free?

We are happy to share that yes, Glossier is cruelty-free! Here’s the brand’s statement about the matter:

“We’re committed to being cruelty free: this means we do not test on animals at any stage of product development, and we will only work with vendors who uphold the same standards.

We are proud to share that our products are certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny, the only internationally recognized certification organization for cruelty-free companies. Being Leaping Bunny certified also means we’ll have regular independent audits to ensure we’re compliant.”

Here at Puratium, we’ve always advocated for extra vigilance when it comes to brand claims. Many brands will claim that they are cruelty-free but don’t actually have the information or certifications to back such claims.

In Glossier’s case, the LB certification is a good indication that they do not conduct animal testing at all levels of production. Moreover, regular compliance audits are also a good measure that helps guarantee the company is consistently applying cruelty-free conditions during production.

Does Glossier Sell in China?

As a cruelty-free brand, no, Glossier does not sell its products in China.

For years, selling in China has been one of the main points of contention in the cruelty-free community due to the fact that all imported cosmetics need to undergo animal testing before being commercially sold in the country.

However, there was a recent 2021 law that slightly changed things. General cosmetics (skincare, makeup, etc.) may now be sold in China without being tested on animals—subject to certain documentary limitations.

Provided that a company complies with all documentary requirements (e.g., proof of safety), then they may bypass the animal testing requirement on finished products.

Nevertheless, this only applies to general cosmetics like body wash, makeup, lotion, and the like. Specialty cosmetics like sunscreen or whitening products are not covered by this new regulation.

Due to this recent change, we must also adjust how we view cruelty-free considerations.

What Does It Mean To Be A Vegan Brand?

Discourse on vegan products and brands can be quite complex and challenging, especially if you’re new in the space.

In order to fully understand Glossier’s vegan status, let’s look into some of the more common points of confusion in defining vegan.

There is No Legal Definition

First up, it’s crucial to understand that there really isn’t a legal or universally-accepted definition of vegan. People may interpret it in different ways, especially when it comes to products and brands.

As consumers, we are left to rely on third-party accreditors to ensure that brands are actually staying true to their claims.

Are All Vegan Brands Cruelty-free?

Technically, they should be. The core ethos of veganism is rooted in compassion for animals, so of course, vegan brands should be cruelty-free, right?

Well, not really.

Vegan and cruelty-free are very different definitions and they focus on different aspects of production. A vegan designation has more to do with what materials or ingredients are used in a product while the cruelty-free claim is all about animal testing at any time in the production process.

This means that vegan brands aren’t guaranteed to be cruelty-free and cruelty-free brands aren’t always vegan.

In practice, however, nearly all vegan brands are cruelty-free. If there are any exceptions, the reason will most likely be because a brand is selling its products in a location where animal testing is required by law.

In that case, customers will very likely question the cruelty-free status of the brand since they sell in a location where testing is required by law.

Absolutely No Animal Products Used

To claim to be vegan, a brand must not use any animal ingredients in any of its products. This means no eggs, no honey, no lanolin, and all other animal-based ingredients.

Sometimes, animal ingredients can come in the form of pigments, so it can be really difficult to ensure that a product is vegan without proper claims and certifications.

Moreover, it isn’t enough that a brand has some a vegan list of products. To be considered a vegan brand, all of its products have to be vegan-friendly.

If a brand uses animal components in even a single product, then it cannot be considered a vegan brand.

Certifications Are A Beginner’s Best Friend

Learning about the ins and outs of cruelty-free and vegan brands is a lengthy process. If you’re a beginner, it might not be easy to internalize all the intricacies of brand greenwashing and marketing.

This is especially true considering that many animal-derived ingredients hide behind scientific terms or umbrella components.

Certifications are an excellent way to circumvent this challenge.

If you are new to shopping for vegan or cruelty-free products, certifications like PETA or The LP can help with determining a product’s vegan status.

Is Glossier Vegan?

Glossier is unfortunately not a vegan brand since some of Glossier’s ingredients are derived from animals. However, there are vegan glossier products, which we’ll discuss in detail in the next section.

Glossier uses beeswax and xanthan gum processed from an egg-derived enzyme, among other animal-based components. Therefore, they are not a strictly vegan brand.

However, this doesn’t mean there aren’t a lot of good vegan-friendly options on the Glossier vegan product list! Most of their products actually don’t contain any animal ingredients, and each product listing also shows if a product is vegan or not, making navigation exceedingly easy.

If you are particular about brands being completely vegan, then you might want to skip Glossier’s products. As more brands are welcoming a minimalist aesthetic, we are also likely to see a spike in vegan brands with a clean beauty aesthetic.

For more suggestions on cruelty-free and vegan makeup, head over to our guides on vegan makeup brushes and vegan concealer.

What Are Some Vegan Products From Glossier?

If you’re interested in buying from Glossier despite them not being exclusively vegan, here’s a starting list of vegan-friendly and cruelty-free Glossier products.

Generation G

Generation G is a lovely lip product that gives the illusion of just blotted lipstick right from the tube. With dialed-down pigments and easy application, this lippie is perfect for everyday wear and reapplying throughout the day.

It comes in 6 shades, all vegan and cruelty-free for a little pop of color in your daily look.

Milky Jelly Cleanser

Of course, we can’t forget about Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser, a super nourishing, pH-balanced gel face wash that’ll leave your skin baby soft without the need for moisturizer.

This cleanser is also great for removing makeup without any stinging, especially in the eye area.

If you’re interested in learning more about vegan face washes, take a quick look at our guide here.

Invisible Shield

Glossier’s Invisible Shield is the best sun protection for those who don’t like the weight of sunscreen on their skin.

Super lightweight and transparent, this water-based gel formula will give you the benefit of SPF35 sun protection without the heaviness and the white cast.

We also have plenty of other suggestions for vegan sunscreen here.

Perfecting Skin Tint

We can’t forget about Glossier’s Perfecting skin tint! This minimal coverage tint is the perfect base product for everyday wear. It evens out your skin tone and enhances areas without the appearance and feeling of heavy foundation.

The tint also leaves your skin with a dewy finish for a glassy, youthful glow.

It comes in 12 shades and is completely vegan and cruelty-free.

Lip Gloss

Lip gloss is a staple in any cosmetics kit. It adds a luscious shine to your lips that enhances your already-glowing appearance, perfect for keeping your lips moisturized all year round.

Glossier’s Lip Gloss is a high-shine lip moisturizer without any stickiness. It’s glassy, long-wearing, and ultra-comfortable on your lips.

Best of all is that it’s 100% vegan and cruelty-free.

Glossier You

To end this list, we have Glossier You, which is the company’s fragrance line. The perfume comes in two formats: an Eau de Parfum and a perfume solid.

This perfume’s scent is meant to blend with who you are as an individual—very much in the spirit of what Glossier does as a cosmetics company.

Their perfume solid is also pretty interesting since it comes in a cute, refillable compact case that we think is the height of Glossier’s packaging. However, there have been mixed opinions about the solid so it might not be the best jumping-off point when buying Glossier perfume.

Is Glossier Sustainable?

Sustainability is a broad term that can cover many aspects of production, including development, sourcing, packaging, as well as distribution.

A brand being vegan doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s sustainable nor does sustainability equate with veganism.

First and foremost, it’s vital to understand that Glossier doesn’t market itself as an eco friendly or sustainable brand. Much of their brand identity comes from the aesthetics of clean beauty (not to be mistaken with clean beauty ingredients).

While the brand does attempt to reduce excess and wasteful packaging by removing unnecessary liners and updating their shipping boxes, Glossier products are still housed in plastic.

Although this in itself does not render the brand’s products unsustainable, we would generally not recommend buying from brands that use plastic packaging if you are going for eco friendly makeup.

There is limited information on the sustainability of the ingredients Glossier uses, so we also cannot make assumptions about how sustainable the final products are.

We also cannot guarantee that Glossier uses sustainably sourced mica. Mica is often a hot topic in cosmetics since mica mining is known to involve child labor, especially in overexploited areas.

If you’re buying makeup primarily for how sustainable or eco friendly they are, Glossier might not be the best option. They lack the hallmark transparency that is required to consider a product genuinely sustainable.

Final Thoughts

Glossier is a cruelty-free company but it is not completely vegan. Their use of non-vegan ingredients like beeswax means not all their products are vegan-friendly.

However, Glossier still has a solid list of vegan cosmetics that you might enjoy. Just make sure to check each product listing and refer to the appropriate labels. Any product without the vegan label on their website is NOT vegan.

That’s it, and happy makeup shopping!

The post Is Glossier Vegan & Cruelty-Free? What Do We Know About The Makeup Brand? appeared first on Puratium.

Carbon Insetting, Everything You Should Know!

Alex Espiritu — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 14:35:22 +0000

Insetting is not a very popular term, even in the sustainability niche. Mainly because it is largely corporate in nature and strongly leans towards supply chain analysis⁠—something that might sound foreign to most consumers.

But though the term may be strange to your ears, we’re sure you’ve heard of brands engaged in insetting, although the word itself is hardly ever used in typical brand lingo.

Far more common is the concept of carbon offsetting, which is the practice of purchasing carbon credits to offset a company’s carbon emissions throughout production.

And while the two are quite different from each other, they’re just two sides of the same coin and serve a united goal⁠—to achieve lower GHG emissions and help curb impending climate disaster.

What is Carbon Insetting?

Carbon insetting is a business practice where companies engage in activities that lessen their carbon impact. These often revolve around carbon sequestration, sustainable management practices, and regenerative agriculture practices, among many other sustainability measures.

The key thing to remember about carbon insetting projects is that they must be done within the company’s own value chain.

Meaning, that carbon insetting activities will have to involve steps within the company or product’s value/supply chain. These projects most commonly occur during the early stages of production, such as raw materials sourcing.

Carbon offsetting projects may also occur further on with distribution and sales. However, these generally have less of an impact on a company’s carbon footprint than sourcing.

Let’s take a cotton t-shirt, for example. As most of us know, cotton is a thirsty, dirty crop. You can read more about it here.

Cultivating conventional cotton requires excessive use of water and pesticides that eventually render any end product an unsustainable material.

One way to apply insetting projects in this context would be using regenerative practices in planting cotton. This way, the manufacturer would be relying on nature-based solutions to lessen their environmental impact and create a more sustainable business model.

Some companies choose to exclusively use organic cotton in their collections, which is also another way of applying insetting to their own supply chain. Each step of the process where companies attempt to reduce their carbon emissions can be considered a part of insetting.

In most cases, it is not the manufacturer or label itself that harvests or cultivates the raw materials. More often than not, materials for production are sourced from third-party farmers and suppliers, many of whom are victims of exploitation.

Insetting forces businesses to invest not only in the financial progress of the business itself but also in generating value through positive impact on the environment and society.

With carbon insetting projects, these companies curb indirect emissions and contribute to attaining global climate targets.

What is an Indirect Emission?

Indirect emissions are a central feature in insetting. These types of emissions are not technically considered as directly related to the company’s operations but are still generated due to the same.

For instance, while raw materials sourcing may technically be part of supply chains, this step is typically not considered when a company wants to achieve carbon neutrality. Only direct company activities like production, marketing, and distribution are involved.

Meaning, that these indirect operations, although central to a company’s products, do not technically count toward a company’s carbon footprint.

This poses a major issue, primarily since a lot of the carbon dioxide a product generates occurs very early on in the supply chain⁠—although this may not be the case for all industries.

By supporting carbon insetting projects, companies can guarantee their customer base that their sustainable practices are not superficial and are actually rooted in real climate action.

In addition, curbing indirect carbon emissions help widen the scope of a company’s carbon initiatives, allowing them to move beyond direct and ancillary business activities and actually attain sustainable development goals.

What is Carbon Offsetting?

Carbon offsetting is a far more familiar term to us in the sustainability niche. Essentially, it is the practice of purchasing carbon credits to offset the carbon footprint of a company.

Carbon offsetting does not actually tackle the root cause of carbon generation and is a more reactive solution than a proactive one.

Yet, it is incredibly popular because it is easy to implement, easy to measure, and companies have the added benefit of being able to claim they are carbon-neutral. And if you’re a customer, buying carbon-neutral items seems like the most prudent choice.

Carbon offsets often come in the form of renewable energy initiatives or tree planting activities to reduce emissions. Companies are generally not involved in these activities and merely purchase the carbon offset for a price.

Carbon offsetting, while a good initiative, is not a sustainable answer to our pressing climate change concerns. Rather than tackle the direct cause of GHG emissions, offsetting merely relies on negating carbon impact.

In the long run, this is not a sustainable practice because it doesn’t actually help us reduce emissions. Companies are not required to look deeper into their own value chain and really analyze where they are generating the most environmental impact.

In other words, carbon offsetting projects are merely a band-aid solution. And while at this time, they are definitely valuable, they should not be the only solution companies work towards.

Insetting Vs. Offsetting

The most critical consideration in comparing insetting and offsetting is that the two are not mutually exclusive. A company can very much use insetting and offsetting as a way to reduce their environmental impact.

In fact, the most sustainable brands we have come across do precisely this. Rather than just focus on undoing emissions through carbon offsets, sustainable companies also focus on emissions reductions throughout the value chain.

This could mean anything from using more sustainable materials, choosing plant-based options, and investing in carbon insets, among others. If there are any unavoidable emissions, then carbon offsetting can enter the picture.

These types of companies are aware of their impact on the planet and try to reduce said impact by tackling all activities in their supply chain.

Proactive Vs. Reactive

Insetting is most definitely the more proactive choice and should be a company’s first option when it comes to sustainability goals.

Meanwhile, carbon offset projects remain a reactive choice and should be used when there are no other alternatives or when all proactive options have been exhausted.

Internal Vs. External

Carbon insetting largely relies on internal processes. Carbon insetting projects occur within the value chain and are highly related to companies’ core business models.

Nature-based solutions in the form of insetting almost always have to do with raw material sourcing, which is where companies can capitalize on natural resources by improving soil health and supporting local communities.

Carbon offsetting, on the other hand, centers around reducing greenhouse gases through external projects that may or may not be related to the company’s main activities.

Interactive Vs. Noninteractive

Any given insetting project requires the dedication and cooperation of the company involved. If a brand wants to undertake carbon insetting projects, it will have to invest not just money but also time and effort.

Insetting is a serious undertaking that requires a considerable amount of resources⁠—something not many companies are willing to contribute.

Offsetting does not require nearly as much time and attention. As carbon offsets are mainly third-party projects with their own GHG reduction activity, companies typically will not need to exert much effort to achieve net-zero.

While this may be a good thing for the company, it also has some drawbacks. One of the most important is how the company may not know (or care) exactly where their money is going or if the projects are actually a valuable solution to fight climate change.

This is especially true in companies where climate resilience is treated as just another marketing tactic.

If the company does not have the best interest of the planet at heart, then they would not care whether the projects are actually reducing emissions, so long as the company itself can claim to be eco friendly.

Is Insetting the Solution?

Insetting is one of the best options companies have to achieve net positive emissions while also retaining their economic growth benchmarks.

But it is important to reiterate that insetting is not the most credible solution to climate change, especially when considered on its own.

Many carbon insetting projects focus on breathtaking nature-based solutions that often revolve around reducing land-use footprint, creating deforestation-free commodities, ecosystem regeneration, etc.

These are already amazing steps that help many companies further their sustainability goals.

But at the end of the day, insetting is very much a corporate concept. It relies on us being consumers to work. It frames eco-friendliness and sustainability in the context of consumption and profit.

And while that may be appealing to some people, it may not be the solution we are looking for if we want systemic change to happen.

Depending on what greater ethos you believe in, insetting as the ultimate driver of emission reduction may or may not be the solution.

In our opinion, it’s not⁠—but it’s definitely a great start.

While carbon insetting is an incredible way to promote and attain GHG reductions, carbon insetting is just another tool in today’s hyper-consumerist society.

Yet despite this critique for carbon insetting, it remains one of the best ways to us to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions using tools and systems that we have today. Because as much as we’d like to think otherwise, we are very much living in a society that loves to consume.

Consumption, in its very base sense, is not eco friendly. And while consumption is integral to all life, we humans have breathed a completely new form to the term⁠—one that isn’t exactly kind to the environment.

Final Thoughts

Carbon insetting is arguably one of the best, if not the best, way businesses can attain improved environmental outcomes throughout their value chain.

Implementing carbon insetting projects isn’t cheap. The more that companies act outside of profits’ interest alone, the more they signal to their customers that they’re serious about doing environmentally-friendly business.

Despite this being the case, carbon insets work best when paired with other eco friendly and socially sustainable practices.

So when you see brands using renewable energy in their offices, using eco friendly fibers, and supporting local economies at the same time, you’ll know that they’re most likely trying to implement insetting in their business.

The post Carbon Insetting, Everything You Should Know! appeared first on Puratium.

Eco Brutalism, A Look At The Architectual Style

Alex Espiritu — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 14:20:22 +0000

The term Brutalism has a rough, jagged tone to it. It sounds evil, insidious, and not at all anything you would think of when you hear the word “eco.“

Eco-brutalism is a form of modern architecture that pulls inspiration from Brutalist architectural style and makes it more appealing and eco friendly by adding greenery to the buildings.

This modern style has received plenty of critique, both positive and negative. Among the most important questions raised is whether this architectural style is actually progressing the conversation on sustainability.

With that, let’s take a deeper dive into Eco-brutalism and how it truly fits into our pressing ecological needs.

What is Brutalism?

Before we can genuinely understand eco-brutalist style, we have to understand what Brutalist architecture is in the first place.

Brutalist structures emerged as a post-World War II, mid-century trend in architectural design. These buildings are typically characterized by concrete finishing, steel, and an overall sense of pragmatism that is most often necessary in a post-war society.

Brutalist buildings became popular for a couple of key reasons.

The first one is heavily rooted in practicality. In any post-war situation, resources are scarce, and there is a dire need for rebuilding housing, government institutional buildings, etc.

After the second world war, many nations needed to churn out buildings—and they needed to do it fast. To do that, there needed to be a relative disregard for aesthetic design and more of a focus on function.

And at its core, that is what Brutalism is—a design approach that prioritizes function over all else.

Another reason why Brutalism became popular in that time period was that it aligned with the collective ideals of communist nations. Extravagance and opulence are generally frowned upon in communist societies as they can stray from the general concept of equality in society.

Brutalism’s association with communism has also contributed to how these buildings are now linked with concepts of authoritarianism. If you take a look at some brutalist facilities, you’d understand that they evoke a certain sense of harsh austerity.

But while function and ideal remain core tenets of brutalist style, much of the discourse around it has a lot to do with the aesthetics associated with brutalist buildings.

Many Brutalist buildings are made with raw concrete and steel, and these materials have now become core features in most brutalist architecture.

Although a brutalist building can be made of anything so long as it’s functional, it is the concrete aesthetic that has become most prevalent.

Brutalist Style Architecture

Let’s take a look at some examples of Brutalist architecture.

The Breuer Building

The Breuer Building can be found on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, nestled between streets of brownstone buildings.

Opened in the late 1960s, this building is a true testament to the concept of Brutalism. Its concrete facade and minimal design offer a sharp contrast with the surrounding buildings in the location, generating a sense of divergence that embodies contemporary art.

The Breuer previously housed the Whitney Museum of American Art and now acts as a MET outpost.

The function and design of the building can best be described through the words of Marcel Breuer himself:

“Its form and material should have identity and weight … in the midst of the dynamic jungle of our colorful city. It should transform the vitality of the street into the sincerity and profundity of art.”

Unité d’Habitation

Le Corbusier’s 1952 Unité d’Habitation in Marseille may be regarded as one of the first buildings that paved the way for Brutalism in architecture. In fact, it is this very building that many architects consider the birth of Brutalism (although some will contest this claim).

This structure was one of several communal buildings made of similar design—with the intention of creating a new way of living in a self-contained community.

The Unité d’Habitation can house 1,500 people, and the interior was initially equipped with an entire shopping strip as well as restaurants and sports amenities on the upper floors.

The Barbican Estate

Formally opened in 1982, the Barbican remains one of London’s most sought-after residential complexes.

Despite being surrounded by skyscrapers and the steel and glass that architects of today use in modern design, the Barbican retains a grounded appearance that simply cannot be found elsewhere.

Although it might not seem like it at first glance, this estate is very much one that its architects and designers patterned after Brutalism following the war.

While it was opened in the early 80s, the design of this building began two decades prior, during the 50s, in the wake of WWII, when London was trying to repopulate the city.

Until today, the Barbican is a testament to how ideas and culture can represent the rise of a city after devastation.

What is Eco Brutalism?

If you’re on any form of social media, there’s a good chance you’ve seen photos of large concrete buildings with plenty of green plants integrated within the structure itself.

One of the most popular examples is downtown Ivry-sur-Seine, as seen below. The style has also gained prominence in Costa Rica, Indonesia, and Bangladesh, among many other nations.

Eco-brutalism is the amalgamation of brutalist style and the green we often associate with eco friendliness.

The contrast between harsh concrete and the greenery adorning the buildings creates a unique clash of ideals, concepts, and underlying ethos.

Where Brutalism in architecture is about austerity, eco-brutalism is about bringing life to these structures, in both a literal and metaphorical sense. The two elements combine together, resulting in a beautiful space that celebrates life with the backdrop of brutalist architecture.

As a result, eco brutalism has been associated with sustainability. Adding greenery to these otherwise drab and unfriendly buildings allegedly improves their environmental footprint.

This, along with the pretty aesthetic that comes with eco-brutalism, has created a renewed interest in concrete architecture. All over the world, we are witnessing the revitalization of brutalist architecture, albeit with a new perspective.

Examples of Eco Brutalism in Architecture

Eco Brutalism is prevalent in many locations across the globe, most notably in the global south in countries like Costa Rica or Brazil.

Here are some interesting projects that merge the utilitarian perspective of Brutalism and the vibrancy of life in nature.

Jungle House

Built on the southern coast of Brazil, Jungle House is an elevated structure with a utilitarian exterior but has a couple of wellness areas with pools.

The walls of the Jungle house are beautifully adorned with sprinkles of greenery, directly contrasting with the gray concrete.

The overall aura of the propery is very much that of life erupting from nowhere, giving its residents a sense of peace even amid austerity.

Casa Meztitla

Taking a quick break from just greenery, Casa Meztitla has a mountain as a backdrop, all while bathed in the intense warmth of tropical sunlight.

Seen as an intervention of nature, this uniquely built house perfectly merges introverted interiors with the vast openness of nature.

With stone casting a connection with the behind mountain, this property stands unique even when contrasted with other similar property styles.

Critique on Eco Brutalist Architecture

However, eco-brutalism is not without valid critique.

The architectural style has often been charged with being a greenwashing scheme. After all, relying mainly on aesthetics as the main driver for sustainability is the exact kind of lip service large brands have gotten backlash on.

As with anything in sustainability, eco friendly architecture needs to be about substance rather than form.

Concrete, in a vast majority of cases, is not an eco friendly material, and using it in new buildings is not the sustainability win eco-brutalism may present it as. Though concrete may come from natural sources like limestone, the process of making cement is not eco friendly at all.

While adding greenery to an already-existing brutalist building may be a good way to make the space more lively and eco friendly, it doesn’t exactly address the goal of a sustainable future.

Instead of focusing on concrete as the material of choice, we need to shift our attention to more eco friendly materials for our projects. This way, we not only address aesthetics but also touch more profoundly on the unsustainability of using concrete for all our buildings.

In reality, there isn’t an inherent issue with eco brutalism. After all, most buildings these days are made of concrete, so does it really hurt to put some green plants on these structures and call it a day?

While a tempting answer is to simply say no and take it for what it is, we have to acknowledge that superficial solutions do more harm than good.

More than just greenwashing, these green solutions give us a sense of complacency that isn’t grounded on actual facts. The idea of eco brutalism banks on the fact that we associate the color green with environmentally friendly elements.

And while greenery is essential in earth-friendly concepts, it’s not always the most appropriate solution for everything. We have many more tools that we can use to address climate issues on a deeper level.

Are Eco Brutalist Buildings Eco-friendly?

Of course, it’s not all bad things. There are people within the eco-brutalist movement that are actually pushing for the use of sustainable materials in new buildings, which is leaps beyond just adding some plants to concrete havens.

Eco brutalism in architecture is not an inherently terrible thing. Though execution might be a bit off, the architects responsible for these projects likely have the best interest of the environment in mind.

For instance, this paper on geodesign in Portugal proposes how waste products can be chemically altered to create new and sustainable materials—which is precisely the direction sustainable architecture should be taking.

If the conversation around eco brutalism focuses on environmentally-friendly materials, then we think it can be eco friendly! However, at this moment, it does not seem like this is the case.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, it is always substance over form. While eco brutalism in itself isn’t inherently wrong, it isn’t good for the environment either. The beauty of green plants is one thing, but its actual contribution to making architecture sustainable is another.

If anything, what we can take away from a nuanced conversation on eco brutalism is that greenwashing is everywhere.

While it is true that sincerity and love for nature may be present in how architects create these projects, there is still much more to be done.

And we hope that by being honest in how we approach green solutions, no matter what form they take, we can achieve a better future for our planet.

The post Eco Brutalism, A Look At The Architectual Style appeared first on Puratium.

Cupro Fabric, What Is It & Is It Sustainable

Alex Espiritu — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 16:39:10 +0000

Cupro fabric is known by many names—cuprammonium rayon, Bemberg, ammonia silk, and Cupra being just a couple. But regardless of what you want to call it, they’re all referring to the same semi-synthetic textile derived from regenerated cellulose.

Cupro fabric bears a striking resemblance to many of the other partly synthetic fibers we’ve covered here at Puratium. These include rayon, modal, and even Tencel!

And just like these other semi-synthetics, cupro is also made from plant-based materials. And while being made from natural fibers is an alluring aspect of cupro production, there’s plenty more that goes on behind the scenes.

Let’s explore the intricacies of Cupro fabric and whether or not it can be a sustainable material as it is used today.

A Primer To Cupro Fabric

Cupro fabrics have a history that goes back to the late 1800s. Although there are varying accounts for when the method for creating this material was invented, it was commercialized (and, in a sense, popularized) by textile manufacturer J.P. Bemberg.

This is also why cupro is sometimes called Bemberg in certain areas across the globe.

Just like with rayon, the invention of Cupro stemmed from the need for cheaper alternatives to luxury fibers—in this case, silk.

Fast forward to today, Cupro is primarily used in the clothing industry, still as a more affordable variation of luxury fibers. As a semi-synthetic, Cupro has also gotten a lot of attention as a possible sustainable alternative to synthetic fabrics.

Here’s a quick guide on eco friendly fabrics to help you jumpstart your sustainable lifestyle.

Brands sometimes refer to Cupro as a cheap, sustainable solution to some of the deepest woes in the fashion industry. But, the answer isn’t as crystal clear as brands would project.

These days, Cupro is almost exclusively produced across China, although there are still some small producers outside the country. China’s near-monopoly of the fabric’s production is actually an important consideration when talking about the fabric’s sustainability—but more on this in a bit.

Benefits of Cupro Fabric

No fabric becomes popular without having plenty of perceived benefits. And Cupro is no exception.

Cupro is Affordable

The central argument for the value of cupro fabric is the cost. Unlike silk and other natural fibers, manufacturers can acquire Cupro for a relatively affordable amount.

For clothing manufacturers, much of the appeal lies in fat profit margins for clothing items made from this material. But on the flip side, consumers can also enjoy cheap, affordable clothes.

The relative affordability of Cupro can be attributed to several reasons.

First, Cupro is derived from recycled cotton linter. We’ll get into this later, but the gist is that Cupro is essentially made from a by-product of cotton production. This means Cupro can be made at a fraction of the cost it takes to produce almost any other natural virgin fiber.

The second is that Cupro is mainly produced in China. And if you’ve stuck around sustainable fashion long enough, you’d know that China’s synthetic textile factories aren’t exactly havens for fairly compensated labor.

Here’s a guide on sustainable fashion brands you can trust and love.

Cupro is Vegan

Another one of the reasons why Cupro appeals to a specific target market is that Cupro is a good vegan silk alternative.

Unlike ahimsa silk, Cupro is completely plant-based and synthetic, so no animals are directly harmed by its production. And while there are, of course, other vegan silk alternatives out there, few to none of them are as affordable as Cupro.

So for people who want the rich, luxurious qualities of silk without harming silkworms, Cupro can be a viable alternative, notwithstanding any negative environmental impact.

Cupro Clothing feels Luxurious

Staying on the topic of luxury fabrics, Cupro fabric is uniquely fine and mimics pretty well the feel and texture of luxury fibers.

Because Cupro tends to be made with smaller filaments, clothing made from cupro fibers ends up feeling soft and silky, with excellent draping abilities.

Again, this is an excellent benefit for a material that is much cheaper than actual luxury fabrics.

Cupro is Easy to Blend with Other Fabrics

Cupro is also well known for being easy to blend with other fabrics. It is the material’s versatility that makes it such a usable fabric for weaving with other materials like cotton or polyester.

Cupro blends are probably the most accessible way to acquire Cupro clothing.

Cupro Material is Low Maintenance

Luxury fabrics are known for the high degree of care you have to exert to keep them in tip-top condition. Silk, in particular, has numerous washing considerations and requires extra care.

Cupro, unlike silk, doesn’t have as many washing restrictions. You can place it under your machine’s delicate cycle or hand wash for best results. When going through a gentle machine wash, make sure to use cold water and the lowest temperature setting.

Do not use hot water to wash cupro fabric as it has the tendency to shrink when doing so.

Downsides of Cupro Fabric

There are many benefits to using Cupro. But just like many other fibers, it also has plenty of cons, such as the following:

Cupro is Made With Harmful Chemicals

The name Cupro is shorthand for Cuprammonium rayon, the name of which refers to the chemicals used in the Cupro manufacturing process.

Similar to rayon-type fabrics, making Cupro involves extracting cellulose and processing it with harmful chemical solutions. We will be discussing the process of making Cupro in a later section.

The bottom line is that these toxic chemicals are terrible for the environment. Although Cupro doesn’t need as much water as conventional cotton, much of its environmental impact has to do with the process of turning wood pulp into a semi-synthetic fabric.

Lack of Transparency

Cupro is not as popular as fabrics like cotton or silk. Therefore, there is quite limited information about the Cupro fabric industry and how they truly operate behind the scenes.

And if there’s one thing we’ve learned about sustainability, it’s that transparency and honesty within the supply chain is the very first step to selling a product that people can trust.

Without transparent industry procedures, we’re pretty much in the dark about the conditions Cupro fabric is produced in and whether to not workers are paid fairly for their labor.

How is Cupro Fabric Made?

We’ve mentioned that Cupro fabric is quite similar to rayon and other semi-synthetic fibers. That is because Cuprammonium rayon is just another regenerated cellulose fabric. Meaning, that it is a fabric derived from the heavy processing of plant cellulose.

The cupro production process begins with the cotton plant. More specifically, it begins with a part of the cotton that is too tiny to spin and often sticks out of the plant’s seeds.

This part of the plant will not yield usable fabric when processed the same way as conventional cotton, therefore, it can technically be considered waste or a by-product of cotton cultivation.

It’s actually this part of cuprammonium rayon production that leads many consumers to believe that it’s a sustainable fabric. After all, isn’t anything made with waste good?

Not exactly. Our conversations around waste and the environment need to go beyond face value, and the same is true for this material. Before the cotton lint becomes fabric, it needs to undergo a major chemical transformation achieved through ammonium, copper, and caustic soda.

More specifically, the raw material is dissolved in a combination of ammonium and copper, hence the names cuprammonium rayon or ammonia silk.

The next step of the process is to submerge the resulting material in caustic soda, which creates a substance that can be extruded from spinnerets.

A spinneret is a manufacturing device with plenty of little holes where the mixture can pass through and become molded into long strands of fiber for weaving.

From there, cuprammonium rayon can be woven into Cupro silk, blended with other materials, etc.

Although the process sounds pretty simple, in reality, it is anything but. These harmful chemical solutions may eventually end up in our environment and water systems, potentially harming animals and people.

Cupro production is also unregulated, which poses concerns about how the production process may breach basic air and water protection regulations.

Rayon manufacturers in countries where these safety regulations are not strictly enforced may take advantage of the situation—posing a health risk to workers and the nearby community.

An ideal situation would be if the chemicals were used in closed-loop processes, similar to how Tencel lyocell is produced. Unfortunately, we currently have no way of telling if such is the case.

We are also unable to determine if the linter fibers were sourced from cotton plantations that respect workers and try to minimize their environmental impact.

Is Cupro Fabric Sustainable?

Now that we’ve learned about how Cupro is made, we can better assess its environmental impact. At the end of the day, is Cupro sustainable? Or is it just another greenwashing tactic brands have employed to gain customers?

Plainly speaking, Cupro is not sustainable.

Sustainability is a spectrum, and while Cupro’s raw material may be an amazing way to use cotton waste, the fabric itself is not eco friendly.

There are too many loopholes and parts of production that remain a question. For most fabrics to be considered sustainable, transparency is key. We should be aware of where the fabric was made, where the materials are sourced, and what working conditions are like.

Because Cupro cannot hit many of these marks, it’s unjustifiable to call it a sustainable and eco friendly fiber.

Other Fabrics Like Cupro

Fortunately, Cupro is not the only option! There are plenty of other types of fabric that can match Cupro’s quality and are made at a lesser environmental cost.

Tencel Lyocell

First on the list is, of course, Tencel lyocell. This semi-synthetic fiber has become increasingly popular over the last decade due to its excellent properties and eco friendly nature.

Although it’s still part of the rayon family, lyocell is made in a closed-loop process that significantly lessens its environmental impact.

The fabric itself isn’t perfect, but it’s far from the unsustainable solution practices that characterized rayon production in its infancy.

Vegan Silk

We know that Cupro is essentially a form of vegan silk, but hear us out—there are other materials that can work as a vegan alternative to silk, those that are reasonably more sustainable than Cupro.

Lyocell can actually be a good fabric to replace real silk, but it is not specifically used today as a silk alternative.

Microsilk is one of the best options available if you’re looking for a good fabric that can act as a vegan and completely cruelty-free alternative to silk. You can read more about it in our discussion on ahimsa silk (and no, ahimsa silk is not vegan and cruelty-free).

Lotus silk is also an option but it can get really expensive so it isn’t a viable alternative to Cupro if you’re buying it mainly for its low cost.

Recycled Polyester (Satin)

Another close vegan alternative would be polyester satin. While we would not typically use or recommend polyester, recycled variants may be used responsibly.

If you are looking for an affordable and less damaging alternative to Cupro, recycled polyester may be your answer.

A satin finish is achieved through weaving techniques that result in a (typically) glossy front and dull back. Many satin clothing items today are not necessarily made from silk and can be made from polyester.

That said, we still highly suggest going for the recycled versions of polyester. These have a significantly lower environmental impact than virgin polyester and also help deal with plastic waste.

However, be wary of microplastics as even recycled polyester can shed microscopic pieces of plastic that may end up in the ocean or our water systems.

Final Thoughts

Cupro fabric is well-known for its many features. It’s cost-effective, soft, silky, vegan, and plenty more.

But is Cupro sustainable? Unfortunately not.

Too many elements of Cupro production make it unsustainable, and the lack of transparency within the industry is an immediate cause for concern.

So the next time you see any brand advertising Cupro fabric as the up-and-coming vegan and cruelty-free silk alternative, you’ll know it’s most likely just greenwashing.

The post Cupro Fabric, What Is It & Is It Sustainable appeared first on Puratium.

Comfortable & Sustainable Hoodies For Your Wardrobe

Alex Espiritu — Sat, 25 Jun 2022 13:53:52 +0000

A good, reliable hoodie is one of the very first things most of us reach for when we don’t know what to wear.

Perfect for early morning runs and your capsule wardrobe for the colder months, hoodies are your best buddies when it comes to something quick and easy to throw on any day.

But these versatile garments are often made from unsustainable materials like polyester or conventionally-produced cotton.

Making sure your hoodies are ethically-produced and made from sustainable materials is a small but relevant aspect of moving forward in sustainable living.

For starters, we would suggest hoodies made from eco friendly fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, or recycled polyester (to a certain extent). Your eco friendly hoodies should also be made by workers who are paid a fair and living wage.

With that, here are some of our best recommendations for sustainable hoodies that help combat climate change and reform the fast fashion industry.

Colorful Standard - Denmark

Colorful Standard is all about elevating the status quo of the fashion industry to something more ethical to workers and more considerate of the environment.

As a brand, CS believes in giving where they take and remaining climate positive even in an environmentally-damaging industry like fashion.

The Hoodie Collection

CS’ selection of sustainable hoodies is available in gender-neutral designs in men’s and women’s sizes.

Their hoodies come in pretty standard designs, and you can choose the classic hoodie design with long sleeves and a handy pocket, but you could also go for the zip-up hoodie option.

Colorful Standard’s ethical hoodies will leave you spoilt for color options. They have plenty of colors ranging from classic neutrals like black and white to more dynamic colors like pastels and mauves.

The hoodies are available in sizes XS to 2XL—at six sizes, they’re already offering a decent size range. However, note that their smaller and larger sizes tend to go pretty quickly, so you’ll have to cop them fast when they’re available.

All the hoodies are PETA-approved vegan, so they’re excellent for all vegans or vegetarians! The clothes are anti-pilling and are fabric brushed on the inside, giving you optimum comfort anytime.

For a primer on vegan fashion, here’s our quick guide.

Materials & Sustainability

The hoodies are made of 100% organic cotton and come pre-washed and garment-dyed. All their other products are 100% organic cotton as well, so you can take your pick from their wide selection of sustainable fashion.

Organic cotton can be grown with the help of rainwater and require no artificial pesticides or fertilizers to grow, creating a much more sustainable production process.

Colorful Standard’s use of organic cotton can result in up to 94% less greenhouse emissions and pesticide use.

Some CS products are made with recycled Merino Wool, so not all their products are vegan-friendly.

CS also uses environmentally-friendly dye, and their colors do not come at the expense of the environment. All their dyes are OEKO-TEX certified, so you can rest assured that their vibrant shades are free of harmful chemicals.

The brand also uses other sustainability measures, such as using recycled FSC packaging and streamlining its cutting and finishing processes to reduce waste.

Overall, the brand seriously identifies with sustainability, and we see this manifest in the way they produce and market their products.

Ethics & Community

Although CS is based in Denmark, their production arm is located in Portugal, where they have their own manufacturing center.

Keeping all production processes within the EU provides for easier monitoring of manufacturing while also ensuring ethical practices are consistently enforced in factories.

Being under European Labor Law, all factory employees they work with are paid fair wages for their labor.

Moreover, CS properly maintains their factories to ensure employee comfort. They also provide benefits like shared cars to provide transportation to employees who may need some assistance getting to the workplace.

Colorful Standards gives back to the community through their program for kids in the Democratic Republic of Congo. There, they built an all-purpose activity center from scratch, allowing kids to just be kids and simply play!

They regularly contribute to the center’s maintenance and even provide jerseys and materials for local players. By purchasing a CS hoodie, you also support children and their dreams of sports and play.

Ninety Percent - London

Ninety Percent is a London-based clothing label that has built its entire business on the premise of giving back.

Unprecedented even in the sustainable fashion industry, Ninety Percent donates 90% of its distributable profits to various charities and causes, all in the spirit of creating change for the world we want.

The Hoodie Collection

Ninety Percent is all about creating classic pieces with sustainable materials that last. Their hoodie collection comes in several classic designs in familiar yet elevated styles and cuts.

Consistent with the brand’s goal of producing timeless clothing, their classic hoodies are pieces you can wear time and time again.

They have zipped hoodies, cropped hoodies, as well as loopback hoodies.

The brand’s color palette leans strongly towards light neutrals like beige, pale yellow, cream, and light mauve shades. But if you’re preference is darker, they also have black and blue.

What we love most about the brand’s sustainable hoodies are the fantastic designs that deviate just a little bit from conventional, giving each piece an extra edge that sets it apart from others.

The hoodies are available in sizes XXS to XL (but don’t forget to factor in the oversized fit).

If you’re a big fan of fashionable and versatile sustainable clothing, we highly suggest taking a peek at Ninety Percent’s collection.

Materials & Sustainability

Ninety Percent uses a variety of eco friendly materials for their clothing. They use GOTS-certified organic cotton, hemp, Tencel lyocell, natural linen, and a variety of other quality fabrics.

The hoodies are made of 100% organic cotton, and they come in different weights and thicknesses. Some designs are made for heavier wear, while others are lighter and more suited for casual use.

Organic cotton is one of the most eco friendly fabrics available today. Organically-produced cotton is typically made on small farms with sustainable and sometimes even regenerative methods.

Organic cotton is never made with any toxic chemicals, fertilizers, or any material that will contaminate water, soil, and nearby wildlife.

Even better, the GOTS certification on their materials makes the organic designation much more credible, and we can trust that the fabric was really made under sustainable circumstances.

Ninety Percent is committed to using only eco friendly materials in their clothing collection. If you want to know more about their practices, you can read more here.

Ethics & Community

Ninety Percent products are made in two factories located in Bangladesh. As a clothing brand with ethics always at the forefront of processes, Ninety Percent only collaborates with factories that produce under safe and healthy working conditions.

Their factories pay fair wages and provide benefits to employees. One of their partners was even the first factory in Bangladesh to offer health insurance to all workers!

The brand also has a partner factory in Turkey, where some of their hoodies are produced.

Aside from a commitment to ethics in the workplace, Ninety Percent consistently gives back to the community through 90% of their distributable profits.

Each product bought will support one of five charities, which is indicated on each product description. This way, you know precisely which cause your product is supporting.

Iron Roots - The Netherlands

Founded in 2017, Iron Roots was founded on the concept of plastic-free activewear. With a combination of design, functionality, and sustainability, the brand has successfully moved beyond the synthetic barriers of sportswear.

The Hoodie Collection

Iron Roots doesn’t have a full-fledged hoodie collection, but we decided to include them because they have an excellent performance hoodie that’s perfect for those of you who want a hoodie for sports applications.

Their Hemp hoodie comes in only one color, Sand Grey, but it is neutral enough that you can use it for everyday wear.

The performance hoodie is perfect for all types of sports and activities, from cycling, yoga, CrossFit, you name it. Naturally antibacterial, this hoodie keeps you warm while you’re doing your favorite fitness activities.

This plastic-free hoodie is also super breathable, making it suitable for all climates.

Materials & Sustainability

A unique thing about Iron Roots is that their sportswear is not made from plastics! More than 90% of all sportswearcontains polymers or some other form of plastic, so it’s pretty revolutionary for the brand to make plastic-free activewear.

Their hoodies are made with a blend of 30% hemp and 70% organic cotton, resulting in a comfortable fabric that still retains its performance qualities.

For best use, we recommend following the brand’s care instructions. Because the clothes are made from natural fabrics, they need extra attention, especially if you use them as activewear.

Ethics & Community

Iron Roots only partners with factories that are dedicated to fair production standards. They work with various factories, and their products are made in different factories with different specialties.

Their primary locations are in Greece and Portugal, where they partner with GOTS and SMETA-certified factories.

Anchal - US

Anchal is a non-profit with a design philosophy heavily rooted in creating modern, contemporary items with traditional materials and methods.

Founded in 2012, Anchal has been honoring slow fashion since its inception through hand-stitched products made using low-impact dyes and fabrics.

The Hoodie Collection

Anchal has a relatively small hoodie collection, but they make up for it by offering unique two-toned and patchwork designs that you would have trouble finding in other stores.

Anchal’s collection is perfect for those who really love hoodies. Because their products are not your typical basics, they are perfect for wearing as statement pieces to add a little bit of spice to your outfit.

The brand also offers the option of choosing either the “cropped” or “tall” version of their hoodies, so you can easily select the option that fits perfectly with your frame.

The hoodies are available in sizes S to XXL.

This gender-neutral sweatshirt has five layers of high-quality cotton, providing optimum comfort for lounging or going out on errands.

Do note that this Fair Trade hoodie costs a little bit more than usual at an average of $240. If you have the extra budget, we still recommend it because of the high-quality materials Anchal uses.

To extend the life of your hoodie, make sure to follow proper care instructions.

Materials & Sustainability

Each Anchal hoodie is made of 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. These fabrics are dyed with low-impact and natural plant dyes, giving off hues that aren’t just pretty; they’re good for the environment too!

Using low-impact dyes also helps ensure that no toxic chemicals from the production process are leaking into the environment.

Other Anchal products are made using recycled organic cotton saris, and these items are then handcrafted using simple, traditional stitches. Each Anchal product is handmade, so it’s crucial to care for them properly.

Sustainability is a core tenet at Anchal, and all the processes throughout their supply chain are always one with the planet and sustainability in mind.

Their styles are heavily inspired by everyday life and are rooted in traditional methods with a touch of modern design.

If you are interested in learning more about the brand’s design philosophy, read more here.

Ethics & Community

Each Anchal product is made Fair Trade, and each product showcases a personal signature by the maker.

Since the clothes are made Fair Trade, we are assured that they are produced under ethical working conditions and that the workers are compensated fairly for their labor.

The brand’s website also has a page dedicated to showcasing their artisans! You can get to know them right here.

Before anything else, Anchal is a non-profit organization. Their longevity as an organization is improved because they drive social impact through sales versus donations.

The brand addresses global issues surrounding employment inequality through skills and design training, sustainable employment, education, health services, community, and providing better access to markets.

You can learn more about Anchal’s non-profit initiatives here.

Tentree - Canada

Tentree is on a mission to plant ten trees for every purchase made in their store. With the goal of making significant, sustainable change accessible to everybody, this clothing brand actively promotes ethical manufacturing standards for the most sustainable essentials.

The Hoodie Collection

Tentree has an adorable (and extensive) collection of hoodies and sweatshirts you can wear out on a morning run, on a chilly evening, or even when running errands.

They have plenty of different hoodie designs that are equal parts comfortable and functional. These garments come in various colors that mainly lean towards warm, earthy shades. Their selection also features a couple of light, pastel colors here and there.

What sets these hoodies apart is that they come in super cute prints and designs, sending you a new wave of good vibes with each wear. But if you prefer plain sweatshirts, Tentree also has those in stock.

You can get zip hoodies, kangaroo hoodies, printed hoodies, embroidered hoodies, and plenty more!

Tentree items come in sizes S-XL, which we know isn’t the most size-inclusive range. We hope Tentree will continue to explore more sizes in the future, thus making their vision of accessible, sustainable fashion a reality.

Materials & Sustainability

We all know that materials tend to be one of the most environmentally damaging aspects of any production process. In line with their vision, Tentree only uses sustainable materials that reflect sustainable living and kindness to the environment.

The brand uses fabrics like Tencel, organic cotton, recycled polyester, and hemp. With sustainable fabrics like these, you can explore your personal style in a way that does not harm the planet.

The sweatshirts are often made from organic cotton, although they may use some of their other eco friendly materials.

Tentree has also partnered with GreenStep in developing a method of calculating their impact versus conventional production from other brands. For related reading, you can view the full methodology here.

Ethics & Community

Tentree garments are designed in Canada and ethically made in China (as well as other locations). All their products are made with the same values of transparency, sustainability, and respect they apply in choosing their non-toxic fibers.

In addition, Tentree is a certified B Corp. So while they may outsource their labor, we are given a guarantee that work is always done under ethical and safe standards.

You can check their Factory Ledger for complete details on where each factory is located, what products they make or which supplies they provide, and any relevant certifications.

Mate the Label - US

With the goal of providing essentials that are clean from seed to skin, Mate the Label focuses on creating value through environmentally-friendly products that are kind to your body and the environment.

The Hoodie Collection

Mate the Label’s collection is more focused on Men’s hoodies, but they can be worn regardless of whether you dress feminine or masculine (and everything in between). If you like a loose fit, these hoodies will be perfect for you.

The hoodies come in neutral colors like gray and cream, but they are also available in darker colors like royal blue and black. The color selection isn’t the most extensive, but if you’re looking for a good, reliable hoodie, you know where to look.

The hoodies are available in sizes S to XXL, which is already a decent size selection. Although the size range isn’t entirely in line with size inclusivity, five sizes are quite a good place to start.

Mate also features a cost per wear (CPW) of their products, which indicates how much you are paying for each wear of the garment. The more you wear each piece, the lower the cost of wear will be.

We highly suggest you take advantage of this feature since it will help you determine the true value of each piece of clothing.

Materials & Sustainability

Mate the Label uses a variety of materials for their sweat sets, crew sweatshirts, t-shirts, etc. They use fabrics like linen, Lyocell, and cotton jersey, among many other eco friendly fabrics.

But for their hoodies, in particular, they use a combination of cotton fleece and organic cotton. Even the thread they use is made of cotton (versus polyester from most brands).

Using organic cotton provides for a better carbon footprint as these hoodies are made with 21.3% less carbon than if they were made with conventional cotton.

The result of the mix is a super soft and ultra-comfortable fabric wearable for many different types of weather.

Mate believes that fashion isn’t simply an industry; it is an ecosystem. It is with this mindset that they approach each stage of the supply chain with sustainability in mind.

Each fabric they use is carefully chosen for their environmental quality, ensuring that each Mate piece is made clean, right from the very beginning.

If you are interested in learning more about Mate’s sustainability initiatives, you can read up on it in their comprehensive Impact Report.

Ethics & Community

We are happy to share that Mate the Label shares the same enthusiasm for its workers that it does for the environment.

Every single one of their items is made within 15 miles of their headquarters in LA. This means no outsourcing and no vague labor regulations from other countries.

They strictly follow California Labor Laws, and their workplace is continuously operated under ethical standards. Although they do not produce Fair Trade clothing per se, their process meets Fair Trade criteria, which is a good indication of positive ethics in the workplace.

Mate also gives back to the community, and they donate to non-profits advocating for select issues such as cultivating a racially-equitable society. You may also find more details on their impact report.

Best of all, the brand is always set on improving, and they are currently eyeing the B Corp certification in the coming years.

Absolutely Bear - London

Absolutely Bear is the perfect cross between a love of city living and life in the wild. Founded in 2015 as a t-shirt and an idea, Absolutely Bear is now one of the best menswear brands for those who want to be more connected to the natural world we love.

The Hoodie Collection

Absolutely Bear has a modest selection of hoodies. While these hoodies are primarily marketed for masculine fashion tastes, literally anybody can wear them.

Their available colors are burgundy, green, and black. Although there are only a couple of colors, they are pretty solid options for everyday wear.

Each organic cotton hoodie comes in sizes S to XXL and is made with a pretty thick, heavyweight fabric. Each one has a little embroidered bear on the left chest area for an added brand touch.

The hoodie is made to provide optimum comfort in a regular fit kangaroo hoodie cut.

If you’re looking for simple pieces that you can throw on and still look put together, Absolutely Bear is a good choice.

Fabrics and Sustainability

Absolutely Bear uses 100% certified organic cotton in their garments, with the minor exception of their knitwear collection.

Where applicable, they also use some polyester in making the clothing, although this does not apply to their hoodies, in particular.

Aside from the GOTS certification, the brand also utilizes the OEKO-TEX 100 standard, which guarantees no harmful chemicals were included in the production of their garments. Many of their items are also PETA Vegan approved, although the brand itself is not entirely vegan.

Ethics and Community

While environmental considerations are undoubtedly monumental in production, so are human rights.

We are happy to share that Absolutely Bear products are made in partnership with the Fair Wear Foundation, a non profit organization that supports workers in the garment industry, helping them realize their rights to safe and fair employment.

The brand is also a member of 1% for the Planet, which tells us that they donate at least 1% of their annual earnings to organizations that push for a sustainable future.

Girlfriend Collective - US

Girlfriend Collective is a Seattle-based clothing company that primarily manufactures responsibly clothing using recycled materials—quite the deviation from most brands’ use of cotton.

The brand’s core ideals lie in transparency and inclusivity in sustainable fashion. With these values, they have managed to gain a solid customer base of individuals who want to feel represented, regardless of size or shape.

The Hoodie Collection

We absolutely adore Girlfriend Collective’s hoodie collection! Made predominantly from a mix of recycled cotton and cotton waste, GC’s sustainable hoodies are available in super cute colors that are wearable in so many different ways!

Their hoodie collection also features ones made of recycled polyester from plastic bottles. Each one has a unique set of uses, and we suggest you choose the one that’s more suited to your purposes.

The hoodie made from organic cotton is best for lounging around or relaxing, while the style made from recycled polyester is perfect for your wearing during your workout routine.

The added stretch to the recycled polyester variant gives you an additional range of motion and helps you achieve your optimum exercise potential.

Girlfriend Collective’s color palette is super fun and contains any color you’d want in a hoodie! Many of their colors are neutral, but a good chunk of the more colorful options are geared towards more conventionally feminine tastes.

However, you can wear these in any way you like! GC is all about inclusivity and diversity in fashion, so your favorite hoodie worn your favorite way is definitely something up their alley.

Perhaps most exciting of all is the massive size range Girlfriend Collective offers. Their hoodies are available in sizes 1 to 12 or XXS to 6XL. Their size range totally smashes industry standards, and the brand has gone above and beyond to ensure their products are accessible to the broadest customer base possible.

If you want to purchase from a brand that has inclusivity and diversity at their core, Girlfriend Collective is one of your best options.

Materials & Sustainability

Girlfriend Collective uses plenty of organic cotton. Recycled polyester, however, is their most-used fabric across their collections.

The classic hoodie is made from both organic cotton and recycled cotton, which is two of the best, and most sustainable fabrics accessible to the general public. We couldn’t find information on whether or not GC uses GOTS-certified organic cotton, so we hope this is something they can touch on in the future.

The recycled cotton they use comes from discarded scraps found on cutting room floors, which shows GC’s testament to reducing their waste and utilizing what they can.

As an educational platform that’s heavily inspired by the value of living a low/zero waste life, those of us working on Puratium highly appreciate GC’s dedication to reducing their impact by reducing their waste.

One thing to note, though, is that their polyester hoodie still sheds microplastics, especially when washed. Like any plastic, even recycled options can contribute to pollution. This is the main factor as to why recycled polymers still don’t make the top of our sustainable fabric list.

However, we typically make an exception for performance wear like leggings, bike shorts, and, yep, hoodies!

You can do your part to support environmental change by ensuring these microplastics do not end up in our water systems. It can be as simple as attaching a filter or washing bag to your washing machine, so those microscopic bits of plastic are disposed of properly.

Ethics & Community

All Girlfriend Collective products are made in Taiwan, where they also source their polyester bottles. This significantly shortens their supply chain, resulting in a more eco friendly production process.

Their factory in Taiwan is SA8000-certified, which guarantees fair compensation, healthy working conditions, and of course, a complete absence of forced or child labor.

You can read more about their manufacturing process here.

GC also has a recycling initiative called ReGirlfriend, where they upcycle used GC products into entirely new gear. This helps close the loop and promote producer responsibility for waste.

Final Thoughts

Hoodies are a staple in most closets. They are super versatile pieces of clothing, and they’re great for both casual and sportswear, making them excellent go-to tops to throw on when you’re in a hurry.

Despite their typically casual nature, having quality hoodies in your collection is important, and choosing organic and sustainable options is even better!

With that, we hope this list will help you find the perfect hoodie that doesn’t come at the cost of our environment.

The post Comfortable & Sustainable Hoodies For Your Wardrobe appeared first on Puratium.

Organic Bras & Brands To Support You & The Environment

Alex Espiritu — Mon, 06 Jun 2022 11:21:43 +0000

37% of women in the US purchase a bra at least once every six months. [1]

And if you’ve been buying bras for a long time, you’d know that this frequency is often caused by the lack of comfortmost bras provide.

Bras, when used correctly, are incredibly supportive without being constricting. And with all the controversy surrounding bra wires, we need everyday bras that stay comfortable.

But that isn’t all. Like with all our other clothes, we should always consider the social and environmental impact of what we buy before we checkout.

And with that, here are some of our most recommended organic bras that are kind to the planet, people, animals, and of course you.

Advertiser disclosure*

Pact - US

With the mission of building the Earth’s favorite apparel company, Pact is a big fan of using sustainable crops, organic farms, and chemical-free dyes that support the planet from seed to tee.

With carbon offset shipping and thoughtful packaging, Pact is one of the few brands we’ve featured several times on Puratium. High-quality and aesthetically pleasing, Pact is a leader in holistic, sustainable fashion.

The Bra Collection

Pact has a limited but incredibly well-rounded bra selection. They have most of the classic designs like a racerback, double scoop neck, and some v and deep-v options.

Their designs typically do not have any wires and provide light support perfect for everyday wear. They even have bra camisoles if you want additional coverage while still getting natural support.

While there are only a handful of bra styles in Pact’s collection, they are incredibly abundant in color and pattern options.

We especially love how this can cater to those who want simple block colors and those who want a bit more variation in their underwear.

Super comfy and excellent for casual wear, Pact’s organic cotton bras come in sizes XS to XXL. This is a pretty good size range, but we hope they expand their range soon!

Pact bras are a good option if you want high-quality clothing at a reasonable price. Their bras all range from $25-$30, so they won’t leave that much of a dent in your pocket.

Materials & Sustainability

Pact products are made with GOTS certified organic cotton. In line with its goal of being the Earth’s friendliest clothing company, Pact only uses the most sustainable fabrics possible.

The organic cotton they use in production doesn’t require any toxic pesticides or fertilizers during cultivation, so you can rest assured that your bras support not only you but the planet as well.

Moreover, their GOTS-certified organic cotton is much less water-intensive than conventionally-produced options. By choosing Pact bras, you can save up to 81% of water usage (compared to conventional production), which is almost 12 gallons of water.

Organic fabrics have a much better sustainability assessment because they help heal the soil and ecosystems through natural farming systems.

Like most underwear, Pact bras do have a tiny portion of elastane. They frequently use 5% elastane in their bras to give that added stretch and support. If you want to know more about the sustainability factor of elastane, check our in-depth analysis here.

Company Values

Pact products are not only environmentally friendly, but they are socially responsible as well.

The brand partners with Fair Trade-certified factories, ensuring that their manufacturing process is centered around respect for employees and their labor.

Since the brand sources cotton from India, it makes the most logistical (and environmental) sense to produce there as well.

Although India is known for unethical labor practices, we can trust that Pact only operates under safe and healthy working conditions thanks to the Fair Trade Certification. This label also signifies that workers’ wages are protected and paid a Fair Trade premium.

Frank & Oak - Canada

Founded in 2012, Frank & Oak is a sustainable clothing company that started in Montreal and has now expanded to the US and even China!

A certified B Corporation, Frank & Oak believes in acting with purpose, inspiring innovation, creating communities, and being the most authentic version of themselves possible.

The Bra Collection

Frank & Oak’s bra collection consists chiefly of flattering geometric cuts that provide coverage and support in all the right places. We love how their style is the perfect balance between sticking to classic silhouettes and allowing a little creativity into the mix.

Their color palette is stunning and reflects a casual, laid-back persona reminiscent of what Frank & Oak does in their other collections.

Not all of their bras are made of organic materials, but they do have ones made from organic cotton. The other materials they use are Tencel Modal and recycled nylon. These materials can be sustainable in some scenarios, but they are not organic fabrics.

We recommend getting their organic cotton bras if you want to stick to organics. You can get their bralettes in beige, gray, black, and a honey tone. Super soft and ultra-comfortable, this bra design has an elastic band instead of wiring for lift and support.

It also has a cute peek-a-boo detail that really elevates the classic cut; plus, it has adjustable straps and fits true to size!

The sizes range from XS to XL, which is pretty standard, although not something we would consider size-inclusive.

Hopefully, they can touch more on the size-accessibility of their products in the future.

Materials & Sustainability

Frank & Oak uses a wide array of sustainable materials for their clothing. They use fabrics like hemp, recycled wool, kapok, and organic cotton, among many other fabrics.

Not all of their materials are very sustainable, though. According to their latest report, around 78% of their materials are currently eco friendly and sustainable. For the rest, they’re consistently working on generating the least impact possible.

For instance, they do use viscose in some pieces, but we’re happy to see that they at least source from Lenzing, which is arguably the best place to get viscose rayon (50% fewer emissions than conventional production).

Because Frank & Oak uses wool and yak in their clothing, they are not a vegan brand. So if this is among your primary considerations, we strongly suggest looking at our vegan underwear guide.

That said, the organic cotton bras are entirely vegan, so there’s no need to worry about those.

Frank & Oak also uses recycled paper and compostable poly mailers for packaging. Although we would love to see a completely plastic-free packaging system, we highly appreciate that the brand is making positive steps in this direction.

Company Values

Frank & Oak is a certified B-Corporation. This means all of their products are manufactured under the highest social and environmental standards. These often pertain to good working conditions, living wages, and respect throughout the supply chain.

Frank & Oak is quite a large production team with at least 300 employees from more than 20 countries. They do not have detailed accounts of all their factories and manufacturing partners, but we do know they produce across Canada, the US, Europe, and Asia.

Production description over the three continents is pretty vague, so we hope they can become more transparent about this soon.

But what we do know for sure is that the brand is a B-Corp. At least from this, we can infer that Frank & Oak has plenty of positives in terms of ethical production and servicing the community.

Mate the Label - US

Mate the Label is on a mission to provide people with clothing essentials that are clean from seed to skin.

Taking the concept of clean dressing to a whole new level, Mate offers high-quality clothing options that don’t require environmental or ethical compromise.

The Bra Collection

Mate is primarily an apparel brand, and this means most of what they sell on their website are super comfy daily essentials.

However, they do have a couple of sports bras in the collection that will make great additions to your roster of organic bras.

Their only available design as of writing is their Organic Stretch Sports Bra, which is a classic racerback design with a rounded scoop neck at the front. Although there’s just one design, the bra does come in many different colors, so you definitely won’t lack color options.

Mate has an “essentials” color palette, most of which are either neutrals or earthy tones. In addition, they also have a limited edition palette, which changes from time to time. This is where they would typically include the more bold and vibrant colors.

Activewear is often made from unsustainable synthetic materials, so it’s great to see such an excellent option available! However, note that this sports bra is made only for low to medium-impact exercises, so you do not want to rely on it for high-impact workouts or activities.

If you prefer to get both bottoms and a bra, we highly suggest getting them in packs of the same fabric to maintain the exact color tones and shades.

These products are available in sizes XS to 3 XL, which is already a pretty inclusive range.

Materials & Sustainability

Mate’s organic cotton bras are made of 92% organic cotton and 8% spandex. For a bra that can perform as well as this one does, that’s a pretty good ratio of natural fiber to elastic.

Mate the Label is a huge believer in spreading love, and not chemicals, in their clothes. In their other products, they use a variety of organic fabrics (jersey, terry, fleece, etc.) as well as some Tencel lyocell for softer clothing.

All their clothes are free of 31 chemicals and 49 dye substances that can harm the skin and health. You may read more about their sustainability practices in materials right here.

If you want to know more about their fabrics’ relative impact than conventional fabrics, you can find all that information on their impact report.

Mate’s packaging is completely plastic-free, even for shipping. They now use recycled, and compostable packing slips along with some tissue paper. They don’t even use any added branding materials on the packaging!

Company Values

Mate’s approach to being a sustainable brand involves integrating environmentally-friendly and socially responsible practices throughout its operations.

Mate the Label is Climate-Neutral certified, and despite already having a pretty low carbon footprint, they are still on a mission to reduce impact through their climate action plan.

The brand has also joined a coalition of brands, scientists, and farmers with the goal of cultivating regenerative cotton farming practices in California.

The best part is that all of their pieces are made locally in Los Angeles. All their factories are located within 15 miles of their LA headquarters, which enables them to check on their factories every so often. This also lessens their overall emissions.

It goes without saying that they do not use any child labor during production, and workers operate under good, safe conditions.

Mate is also a member of 1% for the Planet, and they donate at least 1% of their annual sales to environmental concerns.

WAMA - US

WAMA is a well-established undergarment brand most popular for its use of hemp fabric. With the goal of pioneering the hemp undies industry, WAMA is committed to making their unique fabrics and making hemp a more accessible option for everyone.

The Bra Collection

WAMA only has a few styles of organic bras in their range, but they’re all the options you need for everyday wear.

Their organic bras don’t have any underwire or padding, but some of the options have adjustable straps. Although WAMA doesn’t use wire for the bras, they are still super supportive and give you all the coverage you need.

If you’re looking for a plunging neckline, then their triangle bra design is definitely for you. It’s perfect for people who often wear lower necklines since it provides enough lift without interfering with your neckline.

The best part about WAMA bras is their color options. They have quite a good variety of nude shades that are really representative of women of all colors.

While the other brands we featured still had great color options, sometimes all you’re looking for is an excellent nude bra to wear under a white or light-colored shirt. And in this, WAMA really hits the mark.

WAMA also has expanded sizing, and they stock bras in sizes XS to 3XL.

Materials & Sustainability

WAMA uses a combination of organic cotton and hemp, plus a tiny bit of Spandex for some added stretch.

Hemp is one of the most sustainable fabrics when made properly. Even the non-organic version still has the potential to be a truly sustainable material, provided that it wasn’t processed with too many chemicals.

In fact, there’s actually a pretty interesting discourse on hemp’s organic production. Unlike other natural fabrics, it isn’t pretty common for the material to be certified organic—emphasis on certified.

WAMA has an informative article on the topic you can read on their website, but we’ll sum up all the essential parts here. The main issue is that the plant is often grown on small, family-run farms that may not have the capacity or resources to undergo organic certification (which is pretty expensive).

Because of this, even large manufacturers cannot get their fabric certified as they source from multiple small farms and not just one large farm.

But this doesn’t mean it can’t be produced organically! As we detail in our guide on hemp fabric, the cannabis plant doesn’t actually need chemicals or pesticides to cultivate, and the overall growth process isn’t resource-consuming nor environmentally taxing.

Therefore, organic hemp is still very much an option; it’s just the certification that’s a bit of an issue.

All that aside, we are happy to share that WAMA does use GOTS-certified organic cotton, which guarantees that the materials they use are good for the planet and improve local communities.

Company Values

All WAMA manufacturing is based in China. For the brand, this seemed like the most prudent choice as much of their raw materials were sourced within the country.

With the understanding that China is a location where plenty of unethical labor practices occur, WAMA has a rigorous Code of Conduct in place to protect its workers.

They also have a permanent employee located in China to oversee operations and make it easier to conduct audits of their partners.

Boody - US

Boody operates on the idea that fashion and comfort are more than just about feeling good; it can be about doing good too!

With certifications like OEKO-TEX, Peta-approved vegan, FSC, ECOCERT, and many more, Boody really embodies sustainable and ethical practices throughout their company operations.

The Bra Collection

Boody has a really great range of organic bras that provide lift, support, and comfort. Some designs will even make you forget you have a bra on! Their collection offers varying levels of stretch and fit, depending on what you’re looking for.

They have bamboo sports bras, bralettes, camis, and padded shaper bras. Their designs do not have any hardware and have a seamless design that will blend perfectly with your clothing.

Boody has an everyday bra for nearly every casual outfit, and you will for sure find something you like.

That said, we think their size options could use a little bit of work since they only offer organic bras in XS-XL, but if you’re within that range, then Boody is a good option.

Much like WAMA, one of Boody’s strong suits is their color selection, especially if you’re looking for organic bras or bralettes that are neutral or skin tone colored.

Boody has basic color options like black and white as well as medium to rich brown and orange tones that will really bring out your natural beauty if you have a deeper tone.

They also have some of the best prices for organic bras, with prices starting from $19.95.

Materials & Sustainability

Boody’s primary material is bamboo viscose. As a disclaimer, we do not typically consider bamboo viscose (or any viscose) as sustainable because of specific steps during the production process.

However, Boody has an excellent system that really integrates sustainable practices within production, making their bamboo viscose much more sustainable than the conventional versions.

To illustrate this, Boody details their bamboo process on their website. First, the raw material is soaked in a softening solution, and the remaining water is recycled, with all the solvents captured and removed for a planet-friendly process.

The overall process is a closed-loop system quite similar to the one used for lyocell.

While the materials themselves aren’t likely to be that different from those used in conventional practices, we do appreciate that Boody is making an effort to make the process kinder to the planet.

Each of Boody’s organic bras also has positive impacts associated with its production. Each product listing shows the effects in terms of driving emissions avoided, LED energy saved, drinking water saved, and how much farmland was used without pesticides.

Company Values

Boody is committed to a business that is beneficial to the community it serves while staying true to its commitment to planet-friendly practices.

Boody products are designed in the US but are made in China. China is also where they source their bamboo, so it does make logistical sense to make it the central arm of their operations.

We do understand that producing in China can be a red flag. But fret not. Boody has a great Code of Conduct in place to protect the community of workers the brand partners with.

And this isn’t just some claim either! Boody became a certified B-Corporation in 2021, which signifies it passed the highest standards for social and environmental compliance.

B Corporations are mandated to act in the best interest of everyone, people and environment included. As a B Corp, we can trust Boody to conduct its business using sustainable and ethical practices.

Earth and Elle - Canada

Earth and Elle is a Canadian “underthings” retailer that creates bras and undies made for the most sacred places of our bodies. Their focus is on creating products that make people feel good every day with cozy, breathable, and stretchy pieces.

The Bra Collection

Earth and Elle is a relatively small production. Their pieces are all free from clips and wires, making them very comfortable and excellent for daily wear.

Their organic bras are fully double layered to enhance support, and you can wear them while lounging, cleaning, or even while doing yoga!

Although they only have a handful of designs, their range of organic bras is designed thoughtfully and made for the perfect balance between function and comfort.

Earth and Elle’s color palette is reminiscent of its name—earthy tones mixed grounded in femininity. They have standard shades like bone white, black, and gray, as well as more colorful options like honey yellow and wine red.

Their bras are available in sizes small to triple XL, although not all their designs are available in 3XL. The size range is pretty good, and they easily accommodate women with larger chest sizes.

Their organic bras are typically made of a medium-weight fabric that’s still breathable while remaining super soft.

Materials & Sustainability

Earth and Elle bras are made of hemp, organic cotton, and a little bit of spandex. Although the products themselves are not organic-certified, the bras have enough organic components in them that it’s sensible to consider them organic bras.

The beauty of hemp and organic cotton is that both are natural fibers made using low-impact techniques that don’t harm the Earth. Hemp, even the non-organic version, is made under a process that doesn’t require pesticides or added chemicals, making it a very sustainable plant.

However, there is still the risk of chemical retting during processing, which you can read more about in our guide on hemp fabric.

Earth and Elle have stated that their hemp doesn’t require any chemicals for processing, so they aren’t likely to be using this damaging method.

The fibers are colored using low-impact dyes that come pre-dyed from the fabric manufacturer.

Earth and Elle also use minimal packaging, although it isn’t completely plastic-free. They use tissue paper and recycled cotton string for fastening while they use post-consumer recycled mailers for shipping.

Company Values

As we mentioned, Earth and Elle is a relatively small production. Their organic bras are made in small batches by local technicians in Richmond, Canada.

Canada is not at high risk for unethical manufacturing practices, and the country has a solid body of workers’ protection rights in the workplace.

However, we would appreciate it even more if the brand could disclose on its site more details about production practices just to ensure that sewing and finishing are conducted under good working conditions.

Overall, Earth and Elle is a good brand to buy your sustainable bras from, especially if you live in Canada.

The Deal With GOTS-Certified Organic Cotton

Buying your organic bra from a retailer that uses the GOTS certification is probably the best route you can go. This certification guarantees that the material was not made under conditions that would harm the environment and worker health.

In an ideal world, we should be able to trust brands when they claim they have sustainable practices or that they uplift local communities.

However, most of the time, brands aren’t transparent about their practices and customers can quickly become victims of greenwashing techniques.

If you’re still new to sustainable fashion, we would highly suggest relying on these certifications to guide you through your experience.

While certifications are not perfect (not even close), they’re currently the best-standardized markers we have for sustainability and ethics.

Final Thoughts

With so many options for organic bras in the sustainability market, it can be really tough to make the right calls on, fit, design, and of course, overall sustainability.

Regardless, we hope this list gave you some leads and transformed some of your doubt into certainty.

A significant portion of women have difficulty choosing the right organic bras that will fit their needs, but we encourage you to keep looking. Whether you are looking for extra padding for structure or GOTS certification for material, we’re sure there’s a bra for you.

Resources:

https://www.statista.com/statistics/695939/frequency-at-which-women-purchase-bras-us/#:~:text=The%20statistic%20shows%20the%20frequency,least%20once%20in%20six%20months.

The post Organic Bras & Brands To Support You & The Environment appeared first on Puratium.

Eco Friendly Water Bottles To Responsibly Drink Out Of

Alex Espiritu — Sun, 29 May 2022 08:59:50 +0000

Did you know that Americans still buy around 50 billion plastic water bottles per year? [1].

Staggering as it may sound, people are still quite reliant on single-use plastic, and we need to change that one bottled water at a time.

Ditching your plastic water bottles is one of the first switches you should make if you’re new to practicing a sustainable lifestyle. It’s an effortless switch that will not only make your water drinking routine more sustainable, it will also save money.

But it isn’t just a simple case of buying a water bottle and calling it a day! If you want to take it a step further, we highly encourage you to first assess the materials and brand before purchasing.

For materials, go for a stainless steel or glass water bottle. These types have the best quality with the least environmental impact. If you’re using a water bottle for more rugged use, avoid the glass and go straight to the stainless steel options.

We wouldn’t recommend plastic bottles unless they are your only option. These plastic bottles are still made from petrochemicals and typically have shorter lifespans.

If you do choose to go this route, make sure to choose BPA-free plastic bottles and assess for further environmental benefits (such as verifying water bottle is made from recycled materials).

Advertiser disclosure*

Klean Kanteen - US

Klean Kanteen‘s story is built on environmental conservation, passion for adventure, and the love for replacing single-use plastic. Started in California, KK is now one of the world’s most prominent brands of eco friendly water bottles.

As a family-owned and certified B-Corp, this brand truly uses its business as a force of good, staying true to its roots and its beliefs.

More About The Water Bottles

Klean Kanteen has a great selection of BPA-free stainless steel water bottles. Their drinkware collection houses options from mugs and tumblers to bottles and canteens. They even have little 5 0z baby bottles!

Regardless of age or personal style, you’re almost guaranteed to find an eco friendly water bottle that you love and adore.

KK’s main design for the body is a simple cylindrical shape with a thick neck to hold the cap and seal in the temperature of your hot drinks or cold water.

Their water bottles are available in so many different colors and patterns, allowing you to have as much fun as you want!

Their bottle sizes range from as little as 5 oz (for babies) to as much as 64 oz (ideal for groups or road trips).

You can also change the cap of each water bottle, depending on what you’re using it for. They have cafe caps, pour-through caps, loop caps, a bamboo lid, and plenty more options.

You can also buy these caps separately.

Klean Kanteen has some of the best double wall insulation technologies, and their vacuum insulation can keep your cold drinks refreshing for up to 100 hours! This is the only water bottle we’ve seen that claims to do this, but if you know of any others, feel free to comment!

If you’re looking for an eco friendly water bottle that you can use for camping or trips that last more than a day, we would highly recommend considering Klean Kanteen.

Materials

Klean Kanteen’s eco friendly water bottles are 100% BPA-free and do not contain any plastic.

The bottle’s interior is made of electropolished 18/8 food-grade stainless steel that will not affect the taste of your ice-cold water or hot beverages.

The best part is that KK now uses 90% recycled steel in many of its products. Using recycled steel allows the company to save around 40% of its greenhouse emissions from stainless steel.

By 2023, 95% of KK products will be made from this new recycled steel material. We love that KK bottles do not only reduce plastic pollution but also have a lesser impact due to the recycled component.

Klean Kanteen’s outer finish is chip-free and super durable. If you’ve ever owned a reusable bottle before, you’d know that the outer coating often chips with repeated use.

If you follow the recommended washing directions, each bottle will serve you for years to come.

With eco friendly and premium materials, a KK bottle is an excellent sustainable solution to eco friendly hydration.

Company Values

Klean Kanteen is climate-neutral certified, and they have been so since 2019. Being climate-neutral means they assess every part of their process for emissions and try to reduce them where possible.

The excess is then offset with carbon credits. You can learn more about carbon emissions here.

Each environmentally friendly water bottle is designed in Chico, California, and responsibly made in China.

Like many of the other brands on this list, there seems to be little customer information available on product manufacturing. This is something we hope will change soon.

All that said, Klean Kanteen is a certified B-Corp. So although we might not know the specifics, we still have some independent proof that KK operates under environmentally friendly standards and safe working conditions.

KK is also a member of 1% for the Planet, which means they donate at least 1% of their annual sales to environmental initiatives.

Corkcicle - US

Corkcicle began in 2010, and their entire brand was the fruit of just a single question: how to chill wine mess-free. Although it seems like such a niche question, their inquiry led them to innovate countless other products that now shape the brand today.

With inventive, innovative, and iconic designs, Corkcircle definitely deserves a spot on this list of the best eco friendly water bottles.

More About The Water Bottles

Corkcicle has among the largest collections of drinkware on this list (if not the largest). They have countless versions of an eco friendly water bottle, and you’ll surely have a great time picking from their extensive collection.

Plus, their designs are phenomenal. In their collection, you will find minimally-styled options and more extravagant ones like cosmic designs and fandom-based styles. It’s honestly refreshing to see how creative they can get with their designs.

Each reusable water bottle has different features, although we would highly recommend going for one of their canteens (either standard or sports-use) if you’re buying a water bottle for everyday drinking water.

The canteens can keep your drinks cold and hot the longest (up to 25 hours cold and 12 hours hot). This allows for all-day-long refreshment, no matter where you are. They are also available in 60 oz. bottles, perfect for keeping refreshments cool during picnics or short road trips.

But if you’re looking for more tumbler-like water bottles, then just go for their classic tumblers. Their temperature control properties are significantly less impressive than the canteens, but you get more of that cafe-bought coffee experience.

A good middle ground between these two would be their commuter-cup line. Shaped like a cylinder, this stainless steel water bottle can keep your beverages cold or hot while you’re traveling. It also features a spill-proof sip lid for incredibly convenient travel.

Corkcicle also has a decent selection of eco friendly water bottles for kids. Their designs are super fun and are sure to catch your child’s attention. The bright colors could even help remind your kid to hydrate!

Other than the bottles themselves, you can also purchase additional accessories like replacement lids, straws, slings, and plenty more.

Materials

All Corkcicle drinkware products are made with triple insulated 18/8, premium-grade stainless steel. All their drinkware meets FDA standards, so you can rest assured that your water bottle is completely safe.

The lids are made from BPA-free Tritan plastic, which is durable and safe for drinks.

From there, each product line can be made with a variety of other materials. Some of the most common added features are the silicone base grips and the signature flat sides. These added features all contribute to the overall ease of use of each Corkcicle product.

If you are buying a canteen, they come with a leak-free lid. The commuter cup and tumbler only come with a spill-proof lid so you can safely store the drinks in an upright position, even when you’re moving.

However, they are not completely spill-proof, so don’t stash them in your bag haphazardly.

If you’re interested in knowing the specific materials used for these reusable bottles, check out this helpful guide.

As always, we would highly suggest properly caring for these water bottles. While they are no doubt durable and can withstand some damage, caring for your belongings will help them last so much longer, which equates to less impact in the long run.

Company Values

Corkcicle highly values innovation and high-quality design and production. All their products are designed in Orlando, Florida but are made in factories all across China.

The brand indicates that its factories are audited for the best practices concerning worker safety, environmental compliance, as well as labor ethics. Although we would have loved to see more on these topics, it’s already pretty good that they’re talking about production.

The brand gives back to the community by bringing clean water to areas in need. You can read more about this particular project here.

Hydro Flask - US

Hydro Flask is one of the most popular plastic bottles on the market. They’re known for their colorful bottles and the sheer variety of options available under their brand.

With thoughtful and beautifully designed gear, Hydro Flask believes that they can help people move towards nature, towards happiness, and towards each other.

More About The Water Bottles

Hydro Flask’s reusable water bottles are available in several options—wide mouth, standard mouth, lightweight, and kid-friendly water bottles.

You can also get a Hydro Flask in 12, 16, 20, 24, 32, all the way up to 40 0z. If you’re looking for something that can hold plenty of volumes, Hydro Flask is one of the top choices.

Each reusable water bottle can keep your drink hot or cold for hours, thanks to the TempShield double-wall vacuum insulation that helps eliminate condensation. If you’re a fan of iced drinks or cold water, getting these insulated flasks is an excellent plus.

Each water bottle is coated with a special powder coating that assists with the product’s grip, ensuring that you can take your Hydro Flask wherever you go.

There are plenty of color options, from bright colors like teal, magenta, and orange to more subdued shades like black and olive.

One of the unique features of a Hyrdo Flask water bottle is its customizability. You can buy different caps for your flask, and even add colorful bottle boots for additional traction.

For instance, if you often use your flask for drinks, you can get an additional straw lid for easier drinking. You can get lids for sports as well.

These caps aren’t just for aesthetics, though. They also help seal your drink’s temperature so you can stay refreshed hours later.

With their many options, we would definitely recommend Hydro Flask if you’re buying reusable water bottles for your whole family. They offer a wide range of colors, styles, and designs suitable for kids and adults alike.

Materials

Each Hydro Flask is made out of stainless steel. The best part? It’s made out of 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel that doesn’t retain or transfer flavor, keeping your drinks taste just like they’re supposed to.

Your drinks will stay cold in your flask for up to 24 hours and remain hot for up to 12. These insulating properties are all thanks to a combination of their TempShield technology and the honeycomb structure within the cap that helps seal in temperature.

The cap is made of a strong TPU material, and the straps were specifically designed to avoid damage and breakage along the stainless steel pivots.

Of course, each bottle is BPA-free, and you will have no issues regarding the safety of each material used to make each Hydro Flask.

Innovation is the primary driver of the brand’s production process. Their products are popular and well-loved because they work fantastic, thanks to high-quality components that don’t compromise.

Hydro Flask has a lifetime warranty on manufacturing defects (“life” referring to the life of the product), but we highly recommend following their care instructions to keep your water bottle with you for years.

Company Values

Hydro Flask is headquartered in Bend, Oregon, although they do not indicate if this is where their products are made as well.

The brand itself champions simplicity with everything from product efficiency to aesthetic design. While we would have loved more transparency with production methods, we do appreciate their commitment to making quality products that last.

They have also created a charity called “Parks for All,” which promotes public green spaces for healthier and happier lives for all. They have thus far donated to more than 151 non-profits with a cumulative dollar value of more than $2.5 million.

Overall, Hydro Flask is one of the most accessible brands for eco friendly water bottles. We highly recommend them if you’re up for something simple yet functional at all levels.

S'well - US

S’well is all about making sustainable living stylish, innovative, and most of all, a source of joy. What started as a 17-ounce bottle has now expanded into one of the most popular brands for your hydration needs.

More About The Water Bottles

If you’re looking for an eco friendly water bottle that keeps cold and hot drinks at their optimum temperature, S’well is an excellent brand.

Each vacuum insulated water bottle from S’well can keep your drinks cold for up to 48 hours and hot for 24. These extended hours, matched with their larger sizes (40 & 64 oz), are perfect for longer trips where you may need the added insulation for more than a day.

This brand’s products come in a variety of lines. Namely, the Original, Roamers, Travelers, and Tumblers. These products have unique features that truly set them apart from other stainless steel water bottles on the market.

Their original water bottle is available in 9 0z, 17 0z, and 25 oz. You can easily use this reusable water bottle for everyday drinking water or keeping drinks cold throughout the day.

However, the original design does have a narrow spout, so it’s not the best option for drinks that need a straw. If you are going for that type of bottle, we suggest going for the tumbler instead. That way, you have a wide mouth for ice cubes and straw inserts.

S’well also makes excellent designs! While they have some classic designs like black and white, we love how they incorporate more creative patterns like wood and minerals.

They also have bottle accessories like straws, handles, filters, etc.

Materials

S’well products are made of eco friendly water bottle materials that come at no expense to the environment. Their main component is a triple-layered vacuum-insulated, high-grade 18/8 stainless steel. This is what gives their water bottles exceptional temperature regulation.

Each bottle is completely BPA-free and does not contain any BPS. Thanks to their temperature regulation technology, their eco friendly water bottles will not “sweat” or condense on the outside.

Company Values

S’well, through their products, is determined to bring style and joy to sustainable living. Their innovative designs and product features clearly prove their lasting commitment to this directive.

All S’well products are designed in New York City and responsibly manufactured in China. Like with many other brands on this list, we hope that moving forward, there will be more transparency in the supply chain for these brands.

Whenever shopping sustainably, it’s also essential to consider the social impact of the products you are buying. Hence, we would love to see more information on the ethical practices that brands like S’well are currently engaged in.

Takeya - US

Takeya is a Japan-born and California-raised hydration solutions company. With a simple mission of inspiring, energizing, and celebrating fitness enthusiasts through cool refreshments, this brand offers great alternatives to the plastic bottle you have at home.

More About The Water Bottles

Takeya makes eco friendly water bottles for everybody from office workers to fitness enthusiasts. Although the brand was initially intended for fitness purposes, they now have eco friendly water bottles for different uses and scenarios.

Not all of their water bottles are insulated, and not all of them are made of stainless steel. Of course, if you are specifically looking for a stainless steel water bottle, they still have a wide variety of options.

Some of their water bottles are made from BPA-free plastic and glass. Material-wise, we would highly recommend going for either the glass water bottle or the stainless steel water bottle. These are eco friendly materials that (frequently) generate lesser impact than plastic.

With the many options at Takeya, it can be challenging to pick out the perfect bottle. If you’re overwhelmed, we’d suggest going back to their Originals line and choosing from their 18 oz, 24 oz, 32 oz, and 40 oz bottles.

Each insulated Takeya bottle can keep water cold for up to 24 hours and hot liquids steaming for 12. Most of their eco friendly water bottles are also dishwasher safe, and the lids are top-rack dishwasher safe for easier cleaning. The last thing you want is mold and bacteria growing on your bottle lid!

We also love how colorful and vibrant their color palette is⁠—perfect for those who love to move their bodies and have fun while doing so. If you’re up for some matching fun, try coordinating your bottle with your yoga mat.

As a side note, Takeya also has other bottles you can use at home. Their pitcher collections are perfect for storing filtered water or using it as a fruit infuser! The full-length infuser basket is excellent for making fresh lemon water, among many other flavors.

Check out our guide on making fruit-infused water here.

Materials

Takeya’s double-wall insulation is made from pure 18/8, food-grade stainless steel. This helps keep your drink temperature stable and will avoid condensation on the outside of your bottle.

Even the lid is insulated to really help lock the cold (or heat) in.

The lid is made from BPA-free plastic and is thoughtfully designed to create optimum comfort for the user. Each lid has a built-in carrying loop and spout, making it easier to drink water and transport your bottle.

The lid also has a silicone band that makes for a solid grip and easier opening. Because it has both a wide and spout opening, you can easily fit ice cubes inside your bottle and keep your water cold for longer.

And yes, the spout is leak-proof.

The powder coating is also really durable on its own. But to take it further, Takeya also includes a silicone bumper for the bottle of their eco friendly water bottles, protecting it from dents or nicks, especially as you’re putting it down on abrasive surfaces.

If you have a more active lifestyle and bring your water bottle anywhere you go, the silicone bumper is a handy accessory for increasing the life of your water bottle.

Company Values

Takeya believes in high-quality products that last a long time. Most plastic bottles, even reusable ones, have a pretty limited life. By creating eco friendly water bottles that last longer, the brand helps customers generate less environmental impact as they stay hydrated.

Takeya products are made in China. They did not detail further what factories they work with and under what conditions employees operate in. This is the one downside of the brand, and we hope they become more informative in the future.

Final Thoughts

Finding the perfect leak-proof bottle for your hot or cold beverages is now made easy by the number of eco friendly water bottle brands currently on the market.

Whether you’re looking for a bamboo lid or a wide spout, the preceding featured brands will have an eco friendly water bottle for you.

As always, don’t forget to care for your bottles to extend their life and limit their impact as much as you can!

Resources:

https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/reusable-water-bottle-market

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