September 20, 2021

What makes a t-shirt ethical and sustainable?

What makes a t-shirt ethical and sustainable?

As we look for ways to be considerate consumers, clothing brands are recognising the important role they play in promoting sustainable and ethical practices when it comes to their products. T-shirts are a clothing staple, a piece of clothing that has become very easy to mass-produce, but unfortunately, this mass-production is oftentimes carried out in unethical and unsustainable ways. Ethical t-shirts on the other hand have been made by companies who are taking a stance on the fast-fashion practices that dominate the fashion industry today.

With consumers realising the importance of sustainable shopping, companies are becoming faster on the uptake to meet the demands of the eco-conscious consumers who are determined to impact the planet as little as possible with their next purchase.

What makes a t-shirt ethical?

Shopping ethically focuses on shopping practices that are deemed sustainable and ethical, keeping the environment and planet in mind. An ethical t-shirt has been made by ethical means, where the company has considered and used ethical practices during every stage of that ethical t-shirt’s production, from the raw materials to the workers who have made them and their working conditions. Considerations such as working conditions and how the workers are treated all contribute to a company’s ethical standards.

Ethical working standards mean include:

-        Fair wages. This ensures that all employees are paid fairly for the work they do.

-        Fair working conditions. This covers areas such as space, lighting, ventilation, cleanliness, and access to water.

-        Fair hours. Acceptable working hours with regular breaks is another area where ethical standards help to ensure people are treated fairly.

Our top ethical t-shirt picks from Absolutely Bear

All of our ethical t-shirts are ethically made and are all made from organic cotton for durability and comfort, so you needn’t look far for your next best ethical purchase. You can wear the bear proudly with our sustainable t-shirts; explore some of our favourites below…

Our take on a men’s classic white t-shirt has been ethically sourced and produced. Featuring our iconic bear logo, our white organic cotton t-shirt is a fashion staple, offering a comfortable feel and casual fit for the perfect go-to sustainable t-shirt.

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Aspen Organic T-shirt In Marine Blue 

Our stylish and simple Aspen ethical t-shirt in marine blue is a great addition to any wardrobe. The lightweight and organic cotton offer a soft feel that lasts all day, and with a range of colours to choose from, whatever you’re getting up to, this is the perfect sustainable t-shirt to see you through the day.

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This stylish, sleek black ethical t-shirt will effortlessly bring an outfit together. Working perfectly for a night out, a chilled night in and everything in between, a black ethical t-shirt is a staple in every wardrobe.

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The Sand All-rounder Bear Organic Cotton T-shirt 

A graphic take on our statement bear, this organic cotton t-shirt in sand features a geometric bear motif in black and sand contrast. Perfect for those casual days, this statement ethical t-shirt will soon become a wardrobe favourite.

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As one of our most popular t-shirts, our Absolutely Bear organic cotton white logo t-shirt is an absolute must for your ethical t-shirt collection. Liven up your wardrobe and wear the bear loud and proud with this premium quality logo t-shirt.

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GEO Bear Face Organic Cotton T-shirt 

Our new ethical t-shirt design features our signature bear in a geometric design with contrasting colours. You’ll stand out for all the right reasons.

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What makes a t-shirt sustainable?

Sustainable t-shirts have been made using sustainable materials and distributed in an environmentally friendly way. When clothing is labelled as ‘sustainable’ clothing, it refers to how the clothing company sells and distributes the t-shirts, the way the t-shirts are made, as well as the raw material the t-shirts are made from.

Sustainable materials are raw materials that have been sourced through eco-friendly means; the raw materials are either grown organically or sustainably sourced and wherever possible throughout the production process, the company will make decisions that limit their impact on the environment. At Absolutely Bear, we manufacture all of our clothes from organic cotton, with no harsh chemicals or pesticides used in the growing process. 

What’s the difference between ethical and sustainable?

The term ‘sustainable’ concentrates more on the environmental aspect of clothing production. In fashion, it looks at how products can impact the environment and ways that a company can avoid or drastically reduce its environmental impact.

How can I be an ethical shopper?

Being an ethical consumer can feel hard at times. From having to think about the packaging a company uses to the material of the product, to your core shopping habits, to the ethics of a particular company, it can be a lot. The more you’re clued up, the easier it will be to be an ethical shopper.

Here are some simple ways you can be an ethical shopper::

-        Limiting how many clothes you buy

-        Living a plastic-free lifestyle

-        Finding ethical brands to shop from

-        Looking for the right certifications

-        Avoiding greenwashing

You can read our guide on how to shop ethically here.

Below are some of the sustainable certifications to look out for when shopping for ethical clothing and sustainable products:

-        Global Organic Cotton Textiles Standard (GOTS)

GOTS is the Global Organic Textile Standard - the strictest certification for textiles made from organic fibres.

-        Standard 100 OEKO-TEX

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certifies the absence of harmful chemical substances. 

-        PETA Vegan Approved

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) Vegan approved means there are no animal products involved in any part of the creation of the garment.

-        Fair Wear Foundation

The Fair Wear Foundation is a non-profit organisation that supports workers in the garment industry helping them to realise their rights to fair employment. This includes fair pay, safe working environments, and respectful treatment.

You can explore our entire range of ethical t-shirts from Absolutely Bear here.