What you need to know about sustainable materials. We have North America’s leading selection of environmentally responsible, ethically sourced and sustainable apparel and materials in the promotional products industry. We work with our clients to ensure their merchandise reflects their values and animates their story. Learn how you can make better decisions about the merchandise you’re buying with the beginner’s guide to sustainable materials.
THE ART OF
MATERIALS & APPAREL
• PLANNING EBOOK
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SUSTAINABLE APPAREL
Fairware is a full-service promotional merchandise company and certified B Corporation . We provide custom branded promotional products and corporate gifts to North Americas leading sustainable brands and change makers. We have North America’s leading selection of environmentally responsible and ethically sourced promotional products from a vetted supply chain, and we work with our clients to ensure their merchandise reflects their values and animates their story.
CONTENTS
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05 06 08 10 10
Tri-Blend
What Makes a T-Shirt Sustainable?
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BLUESIGN Certified Textiles
100% Organic Cotton
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OEKO-Tex 100 Overview
Organic Cotton Blends
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The Bottom Line
Measuring the Impact of Materials
Recycled Cotton
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Conventional Cotton
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Regenerative Cotton
Conventional PET
Recycled Polyester (rPET) Fabric Blend
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WHAT MAKES A T-SHIRT SUSTAINABLE?
We make a lot of t-shirts for our clients. Over the years, we’ve seen a wide range of styles and designs, and we consider ourselves experts on materials, fit, and quality. Here’s a primer on our favourite sustainable fabrics. While we set out to help our clients design the perfect tee, we can’t lose sight of the fact that global textile production is one of the planet’s most polluting industries. In 2018, according to UN Climate News, the total greenhouse gas emissions from textiles production, at 1.2 billion tonnes annually with sector emissions expected to rise by more than 60 percent by 2030. Fast fashion, known for its rapid production of inexpensive, trendy clothing, often prioritizes profit over ethical and environmental concerns. It is the second-largest consumer of water globally and contributes to around 10% of global carbon emissions.
The UN's Fashion and Lifestyle Network aims to drive sustainability in the fashion industry by promoting responsible production, reducing environmental impact, and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals. The environmental cost of the textile industry makes it critical to design shirts that are low impact and high quality so that after they’re worn once, they’re kept being worn. We all have one or two dozen t-shirts in our closet, and when we ask our clients, they admit they wear the same four or five tees over and over. Our goal is to create those t-shirts, the top-drawer tees, the go-to favourites. With that in mind, here is a rundown of the different types of textiles commonly used in t-shirts. We focus on sustainable textiles but have added our top selling conventional materials as well.
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100% ORGANIC COTTON Certified organic cotton fabric contains no pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers or genetically modified seeds (GMOs). There are different standards for organic agricultural compliance in each country, so the country of origin of the organic fabric is a key component to designing a t-shirt in line with your values. Organic fabrics hold many sustainable benefits. Simply put, they prevent water and soil contamination, decrease pollution caused by pesticides and improve biodiversity. T-shirts made with 100% organic cotton have a smooth texture and feel softer than a traditional 100% cotton t-shirt. Organic cotton is hypoallergenic and breathable.
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ORGANIC COTTON BLENDS
ORGANIC COTTON + BAMBOO RAYON BLENDS
When bamboo is blended with organic cotton, it makes for a breathable and durable t-shirt. Bamboo fabric has the natural ability to absorb moisture, is antibacterial and mold resistant. The bamboo plant has sustainable attributes itself. It’s renewable, a great carbon sink, and fast growing. The processing of bamboo is chemically intensive and in the has garnered the attention of the Federal Trade Commission for misleading consumers as to its environmental benefits. Most bamboo fabric is created through a chemical process very similar to the production of rayon from wood or cotton. As such, it has to be labeled as ‘rayon from bamboo’ to avoid overstating the benefits. ORGANIC COTTON + HEMP BLENDS Hemp is considered to be one of the most environmentally friendly textiles as it needs very little water, grows fast and does not use any chemicals. Impressively, this also applies to conventional hemp farming. Hemp and organic cotton blends are very light, insulating, durable, and hypoallergenic.
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MEASURING THE IMPACT OF MATERIALS
HIGG INDEX MSI The Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI) is a tool designed to assess and compare the environmental impacts of materials used in consumer goods, covering aspects like global warming, water scarcity, and chemical use. By using peer-reviewed life cycle assessment data, it helps companies make informed, sustainable material choices during product development. The MSI provides transparency and API integration, allowing companies to embed sustainability insights into their existing processes. The index is contin - uously updated to reflect the latest materials and manufacturing data.
IMPACT CALCULATORS Impact calculators is a tool that allow anyone to assess the impact of textiles. The Selfless Clothes - Clothing Footprint Calculator uses industry knowledge and life cycle data from manufacturing to allow anyone to assess the impact of textiles. Allmade, a t-shirt supplier for Fairware, offers a calculator developed from an analysis to estimate the relative impact of their own t-shirts showcasing their commitment to produce apparel with less impact on the environment.
Dig into our blog post The Environmental Impact of a Promo T-shirt to learn more.
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RECYCLED COTTON
Recycled cotton is produced from either pre-consumer waste (scraps from fabric production) or post-consumer waste (used garments and textiles). This process diverts waste from landfills and reduces the need for virgin cotton, which is resource-intensive to grow. Recycled cotton maintains much of the softness and breathability of organic cotton, making it a comfortable and sustainable choice for t-shirts. While recycled cotton may not be as strong as virgin cotton, blending it with other fibers can enhance its durability and create a high-quality fabric. Using recycled cotton reduces water usage, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional cotton production. By incorporating recycled cotton into your apparel, you’re supporting a more circular economy in the textile industry.
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CONVENTIONAL COTTON We recommend staying away from conven- tional cotton. Yes, organic cotton is a premium material, but it’s worth the investment. The chemicals used in conventional cotton farming have detrimental impacts, notably reducing biodiversity, disrupting ecosystems, and contaminating water and soil. While organic cotton t-shirts are priced higher than your low-cost event giveaway tees, if you’re accustomed to buying nice quality t-shirts, you’ll be surprised to learn that the prices are comparable or sometimes even less for organic cotton. Depending on the source of the fabric, the final aesthetic of the cotton will vary. A conventional cotton fabric has a matte finish and a soft hand feel.
While many people are unaware, slavery is still in practice in modern conventional cotton farming, At Fairware, we prioritize responsible sourcing, partnering only with companies committed to fair labor practices, avoiding forced labor.
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REGENERATIVE COTTON
Regenerative Organic Certified® cotton—the highest standard in organic farming. They also utilize Cotton in Conversion, a system that helps farmers transition to organic certification. Brands like Patagonia are leading the way, showing that it’s possible to create high-quality products while regenerating the earth. For companies focused on sustainability, regenerative cotton represents the future of ethical sourcing. It’s about ensuring that what we take from the planet, we give back—building a system that benefits the environment, farmers, and communities in a lasting, positive way.
Regenerative cotton sourcing is a game-changer for the textile industry. Unlike conventional cotton farming, which depletes soil and relies heavily on synthetic chemicals, regenerative agriculture focuses on rebuilding soil health, boosting biodiversity, and creating resilient ecosystems. By using methods like crop rotation and composting, regenerative cotton farming sequesters carbon, improves water retention, and promotes healthier ecosystems. At Fairware, we believe in pushing the boundaries of sustainability, which is why we support Patagonia's efforts to say no to conventional cotton and embrace better alternatives. Patagonia is committed to sourcing cotton grown using organic practices, including
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This Patagonia T-shirt, is made from recycled fabric scraps and bottles, reduces reliance on virgin materials, and is crafted in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory.
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CONVENTIONAL PET
What is PET? Petrochemicals make polyester (PET). It is a synthetic non-biodegradable and unsustainable fibre. Nearly 70 million barrels of oil are used each year to make the worlds commonly used polyester fibre. Conventional PET is often used for athletic wear. Polyester is a low-maintenance, fast drying and wrinkle free material. It can be treated with a myriad of finishes for different technical benefits like adding wicking and anti-bacterial prop- erties. Keep in mind that these finishes are chemical additives that impact this material.
The release of micro plastics during washing is a significant issue. Research is ongoing to explore the extent of the problem and its effects on human health, wildlife, and the environment. In the cases where we can’t use an rPET fabric, we recommend sourcing from a reputable supplier with a strong commitment to environmental management practices. The CDFA recommends looking for garments that are designed for less washing, wash in cold water and air dry - and avoid dry cleaning.
RECYCLED POLYESTER (RPET) FABRIC BLEND
RPET stands for Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate, also know as Recycled Polyester. It is made from discarded plastic water bottles, which helps to keep them out of the landfill and reduce the amount of petroleum used to produce new polyester fibres. RPET tees and blends have a smooth texture, good drape and are durable.
The Textile Exchange promotes the use of rPET, as it reduces soil contam- ination, air and water pollution, and requires less energy to manufacture than new polyester. Most importantly, plastic degenerates each time it’s reheated, so it can’t be infinitely recycled into new water bottles because it won’t meet food grade standards. Recycled polyester provides a great new use for that plastic.
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TRI-BLEND As its name indicates, there are textiles that are composed of tri-blend fabrics: polyester, cotton, and rayon. Each fiber adds a specific function to the material. The polyester adds strength and dura- bility, the cotton provides wicking and breathability, and the rayon brings softness. While we’ve learned already about polyester and cotton, we haven’t yet touched on rayon. Rayon is a wood fibre, but it doesn’t always have a sustainable supply chain. Old growth forests are often cleared and/or subsistence farmers are displaced to make way for pulpwood plantations.
Some manufacturers of rayon are working to create sustainable supply chains for their fibre sources. TENCEL®, for example, is a branded rayon with a transparent supply chain. The material is obtained from eucalyptus trees grown on farms. The pulp produced for TENCEL® has earned Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, which means it comes from responsibly managed forests. Tri-blends are popular for their super-soft feel and stretch properties. Essentially, they area good match for active wear or a vintage look and feel.
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BLUESIGN® Certified Textiles
Bluesign® certification is a compre- hensive system that covers the entire textile supply chain, ensuring that products are safe for the environment, workers, and consumers. A Bluesign® certified textile means that the fabric has been produced with minimal impact on the environment, using responsible chemicals and sustainable resources. This certification process examines every step of production, from raw materials to finished product, ensuring that harmful substances are elim- inated, and that resource efficiency is optimized. Bluesign® certified textiles are a strong choice for those looking to create apparel with a lower environmental footprint while maintaining high safety and quality standards. By choosing Bluesign® certified materials, you’re supporting responsible manufacturing practices that protect the environment and promote worker health and safety.
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The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is an internationally recognized certifi- cation system that ensures textiles are safe for human health. It tests fabrics at all stages of production for harmful substances, including allergenic dyes, pesticides, heavy metals, and form- aldehyde. The standard also ensures that the pH of the fabric is compatible with human skin. Textiles that pass the rigorous testing process are certified as free from harmful levels of substances, making them safer for consumers to wear. OEKO-TEX 100 Overview
• Free from allergenic dyes or colorants, including carcinogenic and Azo dyes.
• Tested for pesticide and chlorinated phenol residues.
• Checked for heavy metals that could be released through sweat.
• Contains no formaldehyde, or levels are within North American safety limits. pH level is close to that of human skin.
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We’re working to ensure our clients are educated about the product that they’re receiving. Our clients trust our deeper understanding of product and supply chain and are grateful to be provided with information they can share with their team and the recipients of their branded merchandise. At Fairware, we like to think of ourselves as brand guardian’s; we make merchandise that aligns with our clients values. THE BOTTOM LINE
Knowing a t-shirt has sustainable fabric doesn’t say anything about the factory conditions that make them. View our e-book Ethical Sourcing - Assessing Your Supply Chain for more details on how to ethically source through the entire supply chain.
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At Fairware, we use responsible business practices, sustainable merchandise and ethical supply chains to source and deliver product that meets you on your journey toward social and environmental sustainability. MAKE YOUR MERCHANDISE MATTER.
Make a positive impact with your merch by supporting amazing brands that care about people and planet.
Start Now
1.866.606.3247 | contact@fairware.com | 178 W 3rd Ave, Vancouver BC V5Y 1E9 | fairware.com
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