Sustainable Activewear For a Greener, More Comfortable Workout
Sustainable Activewear For a Greener, More Comfortable Workout
Sustainable gym wear is a growing trend for workout clothes that minimizes environmental harm. The best brands offer eco-conscious, GOTS or Oeko-Tex certifications and use organic cotton and Lenzing modal fibers.
Girlfriend Collective is all about body positivity and inclusivity, offering their ethically-made clothing in sizes XXS-6XL. The brand uses recycled materials like fabric scraps, fishing nets, and post-consumer water bottles in their pieces.
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While many of the activewear staples you may be accustomed to are made with harmful synthetic fibres that require hefty chemicals in their production and shed microplastics into the environment during use, there are some lower impact options that can still keep your workout outfit looking fresh. Look for recycled polyester, organic cotton, and plant-based fabrics like Tencel lyocell (which is crafted from eucalyptus), and try to shop at brands that provide transparency around their manufacturing process.
One such sustainable small business is Vancouver-based Tentree, which plants a tree for every item purchased and uses only recycled and organic materials to create their minimalist-designed leggings, bras, and cycling shorts. The brand’s Earth-first approach also prioritizes fair and safe working conditions for their employees, while reducing waste water and emissions through the use of reusable water bottles in the production line.
Another transparent clothing brand is Everlane, which recently entered the activewear space with a range of sleek and minimalist designs that are certified using the Global Recycled Standard. The label carries its commitment to eliminating virgin plastics even further by utilizing Parley Ocean Plastic and PrimeGreen recycled polyester, which is sourced from post-industrial and pre-consumer waste.
Fitness influencer and entrepreneur Grace Beverley founded her sustainable fashion brand, Tala, in 2019 with the vision of “sustainable style without compromise” — aka stylish, long-lasting performance wear that won’t break the bank. With an ethos of ethically and sustainably sourcing materials, producing in accredited factories, and creating trend-defying silhouettes with wardrobe longevity in mind, the line’s oversized slogan tees and covetable caps are selling out fast.
Wolven
Wolven is a great brand for eco-conscious customers who prioritize sustainability and unique style. Their clothing is made from OEKO-Tex certified recycled P.E.T and is carbon-neutral. They also use a breathable fabric made from repurposed ocean-bound plastics. Their products are incredibly soft, and their prints are eye-catching. Wolven offers a range of colors and styles, and many of their pieces are reversible.
While Wolven does a great job of environmental policies, they do not do well when it comes to workers’ rights. The company only partially traces its supply chain, and it is unclear whether workers are being paid living wages. In addition, the company does not explicitly state that they do not use animal-derived materials.
Founded by Kiran Jade, Wolven is all about community, sustainability, diversity, and body positivity. Sustainable activewear set Jade grew up in a diverse family, and her love for sewing and creating clothes started at a young age. She loved to shop for fabric at local markets and transform it into custom clothes.
Wolven’s clothing is a good choice for anyone who wants to look stylish while being eco-friendly. Their sustainable leggings are made from recycled plastic bottles and come in a variety of colours and prints. They’re perfect for strength training, a yoga class, or just running errands. They’re also made with ethical labor practices and post-consumer recycled material.
Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective has gotten some buzz on TikTok for its colorful athleisure, and the brand is all about sustainability. The company uses a combination of recycled materials, including repurposed plastic water bottles and fabric scraps. The brand also makes an effort to use fewer chemicals in its production. All of its products are made with OEKO-TEX Standard 100-certified fabrics, and they use a high proportion of lower-impact dyes. The brand also uses eco-friendly packaging and donates the dye mud from its production facility to local pavement facilities.
All of the brand’s products are made in factories that meet their ethical standards. The company works with factory partners that are SA8000 certified and guarantee fair wages, healthy work conditions, and zero forced or child labor. In addition, the company aims to make its products last longer than most, and they recycle all of their fabric waste.
One of the biggest concerns with most of these fabrics, however, is their exposure to BPA. This harmful chemical is found in many wholesale dress vendors polyester/spandex blends and can leach into your skin when you sweat, which is even worse if you are pregnant.
Despite this concern, the sustainable activewear sets from Girlfriend Collective are incredibly comfortable. The leggings are buttery soft and super stretchy, and the tops are soft and supportive without being constricting. Plus, the leggings are a total steal at $78, which is an amazing price for this type of quality.
Pact
Pact Clothing is an eco-friendly brand that strives to create fashion with a holistic approach. This includes reducing their environmental footprint, promoting fair trade practices, and ensuring transparency. Its ethos of conscious fashion is reflected in its minimalist aesthetics and use of earthy tones, which complement different skin tones.
Pact also uses long-staple organic cotton, which reduces the amount of chemicals used in production and delivers luxury softness. In addition, it uses recycled plastic packaging and tries to minimize carbon emissions by optimizing shipping routes. Its commitment to sustainability has led to numerous notable certifications, including GOTS and Climate Neutral.
The company is committed to providing high-quality products that are made by workers who are paid fairly. They work with trusted partners who share their dedication to sustainable and ethical manufacturing. This ensures that every step of the process is handled with care and respect. In addition, the company strives to provide a flexible work environment that allows employees to meet their personal and professional goals.
Despite the fact that Pact is a relatively new company, it has already established itself as an environmentally friendly brand with its innovative products and exemplary business practices. Moreover, the company has made a commitment to its consumers by offering convenient services such as free shipping and returns and a rewards program.