All products featured on Ethos have been independently selected by our editorial team.
When you buy something through our links, Ethos may earn an affiliate commission.
Reduce fashion waste by ditching fast fashion in favor of recycled clothing brands.
Fashion is a waste — literally. The average person throws away about 81 pounds of clothing each year, according to thrift retailer Savers. And that’s only in the U.S. But your affinity for all things fashion doesn’t have to come at the expense of the planet. You can easily help to reduce fashion waste by ditching fast fashion companies in favor of recycled clothing brands.
Only 12 percent of textiles are actually recycled. Unlike glass or paper, which can be easily separated, clothing is generally composed of a blend of fabrics, both natural and synthetic. Garments may also feature elements like buttons and zippers, making recycling problematic.
“This process makes it impossible for the industry to biodegrade or recycle those fabric blends,” explained Emely Guevara, founder of Los Angeles-based sustainable clothing brand, Eramía. “We don’t have the technology to break down blends of plant and plastic-derived garments, so they end up being added to our growing mass of immense waste.”
Brands like Eramía are working to tackle the global textile waste crisis by incorporating recycled and more sustainable materials — as well as deadstock fabrics, the fashion industry’s unused materials — into their clothing production.
“Not only are we ensuring that our pieces are recyclable and/or biodegradable, we also use zero plastics in our packaging and tagging, which reduces the amount of microplastics being released into the environment,” added Guevara.
Recycled clothing brands to shop
When it comes to lessening your environmental footprint, reducing your consumption of clothes, such as by purchasing second-hand garments, is a more sustainable option. But you can also support fashion brands that are committed to sustainability, including shopping those that offer recycling clothing. Check out these brands that are using recycled fabrics to craft their wares.
Stella McCartney
This luxury fashion brand is no stranger to sustainable materials, regularly using the likes of vegan leather, organic cotton, and recycled nylon and polyester to create its pieces. The company’s packaging, which comes from recycled and certified sustainable sources, is also gentle on the planet.
In 2014, Stella McCartney launched Clevercare. The garment labeling system, which is aimed at helping consumers extend the life of their clothing, is based on five pillars of clothing care: washing, temperature, drying, ironing, and dry cleaning. “The less you wash your clothes, the better,” explained McCartney. “Clothes last longer if you wash them less and care for them more. And less washing saves water and energy.”
Reformation
According to this sustainable clothing brand, “being naked is the #1 most sustainable option. Reformation is #2.” The Los Angeles-based company incorporates deadstock, upcycled fabrics, and recycled materials into its pieces.
According to Reformation, it’s been reusing and recycling clothes since 2015 with the help of its buyback program, RefRecyling. Customers can turn in their old wares, which the brand breaks down into fibers it uses to create new pieces. Shop the Climate Neutral certified company’s assortment of jeans, dresses, bodysuits, and more.
Girlfriend Collective
This activewear company’s motto is: “Don’t make waste, wear it.” So it should come as no surprise that the brand uses recycled materials in its collections. Its leggings and bras are made from recycled plastic bottles. It even has a maternity collection made from recycled fishing nets and other ocean waste. And when it’s time to upgrade your leggings, simply turn them into the company’s ReGirlfriend buyback program so that they can be upcycled into new pieces.
Eramía
Founded at the start of 2022, the woman-owned brand creates recyclable and biodegradable garments made from plant-based fabrics like bamboo, organic cotton, and hemp. The company also has a range of clothes made from recycled materials like polyester. “We know we may not reach perfect sustainability, but we aim to inspire consumers to reduce mass consumption of fast fashion clothing, reuse and upcycle clothing when possible, and support businesses that are taking responsibility for their contribution to global waste,” said Guevara.
The brand aims to launch a buy-back program later this year. Each piece will be eligible for a buyback credit of up to $15, and the clothing will either be resold, upcycled, or recycled.
Outerknown
Founded by professional surfer Kelly Slater, Outerknown focuses on sustainable fashion by using recycled fibers, organic cotton, and regenerative agriculture. The brand prioritizes fair labor practices and environmental responsibility and says it’s the first brand founded on a “total commitment” to sustainability. “We are driven by a passion for responsible action, courageous change, and great clothes,” reads the label’s website.
Everlane
Everlane was an early pioneer in sustainable fashion with efforts like its ReNew collection, which features outerwear made from recycled plastic bottles. “We’re all about putting our principles into practice, making fashion more responsible, and weaving a more sustainable future — for your wardrobe and the planet,” Everlane says on its website. The brand is committed to transparency in its supply chain, ensuring ethical production and sustainable materials.
Adidas
Adidas has made strides in sustainability with its Parley for the Oceans collaboration, creating products from recycled ocean plastic. Its Prime Green and Prime Blue materials focus on recycled materials and are helping it move toward the goal of only using recycled polyester by the end of 2024, reducing its reliance on virgin plastic. With collaborations that range from Prada to Stella McCartney, Adidas is helping to bring sustainability front and center.
Eileen Fisher
Eileen Fisher has long been a champion dedicated to sustainability through its Renew Circular By Design program, which takes back used Eileen Fisher garments to be resold, donated, or transformed into new designs. “We’re on a mission to keep items out of the landfill by changing the take-make-waste model that traditional retail subscribes to,” reads the website. “By educating consumers about the environmental benefits of reuse we hope to inspire people to make smarter choices about their purchases. For us it’s simple: we act as stewards of our planet and of our homes and we see no reason why we shouldn’t also be stewards of our clothing.”
Christy Dawn
Christy Dawn creates timeless, bohemian-style dresses using deadstock fabric, which are leftover materials from larger fashion houses. Each piece is unique and sustainably made. The label says the way things are done currently is not enough, and champions for regenerative practices that go “beyond sustainability” in order to help actively heal the planet. The Los Angeles-based designer aims to forge intimate connections with its community and ecosystems.
Related on Ethos:
