MATERIALS
Each product should be crafted from organic materials, bio-based materials, materials that have been recycled, upcycled, or those sourced responsibly sourced, here's a list of the key certifications:
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Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): Validates textiles derived from organic materials and sustainably produced.
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Fairtrade Certified Cotton: Asserts that cotton is cultivated and gathered in an environmentally-friendly and socially responsible manner.
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Better Cotton Initiative (BCI): Aims to augment the social and environmental sustainability of cotton production.
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OEKO-TEX Standard 100: Certifies textiles devoid of detrimental chemicals.
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Econyl: Certifies textiles made from regenerated nylon, which is derived from waste materials like fishing nets and fabric scraps.
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Cradle to Cradle Certified™: Evaluates and certifies products based on environmental and social performance across five sustainability categories: Material Health, Material Reutilization, Water Stewardship, Renewable Energy and Carbon Management, and Social Fairness.
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Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): Certifies products made from wood or paper to ensure they come from sustainably managed forests.
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bluesign®: Certifies textiles produced using sustainable processes, with a particular emphasis on chemical use.
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Leather Working Group (LWG): Promotes sustainable and environmentally friendly practices within the leather industry.
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Carbon Trust Standard: Recognizes organizations for reducing carbon emissions, water use, and waste output.
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Responsible Down Standard (RDS): Ensures that down and feathers come from animals that haven’t been subjected to unnecessary harm.
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Responsible Wool Standard (RWS): Certifies wool from farms that practice progressive land management and humane treatment of animals.
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Global Recycled Standard (GRS): Certifies products with recycled content, ensuring responsible social, environmental, and chemical practices during production.
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SA8000: A social certification standard for factories and organizations, which ensures ethical working conditions.
Bio-based materials are derived from renewable biological sources, primarily plants, as opposed to synthetic materials based on petroleum or other fossil sources. We add these products to the sustainable collection because they have a lower environmental impact than conventional materials. Here's a list of some notable bio-based materials for fashion that are considered to have a lower environmental impact:
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Hemp: A fast-growing plant that requires minimal water, pesticides, and synthetic fertilizers. It results in a durable fabric that softens over time.
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Linen (from Flax): Typically requires fewer pesticides and water than cotton. Linen is known for its durability and natural luster.
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Tencel/Lyocell: Derived from the pulp of eucalyptus trees, which are grown on low-grade land unsuitable for food production. The closed-loop production process recycles water and reuses solvents, making it more environmentally friendly.
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Modal: Made from beech tree fibers, it's biodegradable and produced in a closed-loop process similar to Tencel.
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Ramie: One of the oldest fiber crops, known for its ability to hold shape and reduce wrinkling. It's often blended with other fibers to improve its durability.
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Jute: Often referred to as "the golden fiber" due to its natural golden shine. Jute is 100% biodegradable, recyclable, and is one of the strongest natural fibers.
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Silk: A natural protein fiber produced by silkworms. While traditional silk production can raise ethical concerns, alternative methods like "peace silk" offer a more humane approach.
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Piñatex (Pineapple leather): Derived from the fibers of pineapple leaves, it's a sustainable alternative to traditional leather and synthetic leather products.
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Mycelium Leather: Made from the root structure of fungi, it's a renewable resource that can be produced with less environmental impact than animal leather or synthetic alternatives.
We don't consider cotton part of our bio-based products because organic cotton is the superior option in regards to sustainability which has its own separate shopping filter.
BRANDS
If the material composition doesn't qualify a product, the brand itself would have implemented measured and disclose publicly available data to determine it's sustainability status.
Here's why we deem these benchmarks sustainable:
- Organic materials: They're cultivated without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides, promoting environmental and human well-being.
- Bio-based materials: Originating from renewable resources, such as plants or silk, these materials decrease dependency on fossil fuels and curtail greenhouse gas emissions.
- Recycled materials: Derived from previously utilized and discarded substances, they help diminish waste and preserve valuable resources.
- Upcycled materials: These are rejuvenated from waste products, ensuring waste reduction and repurposing old resources into valuable items.
- Responsibly sourced materials: Acquired ethically and sustainably, they account for both environmental and societal impacts during procurement.
- Sustainable brands: These brands embrace sustainable practices throughout their operational chain, from material selection to manufacturing and distribution.
- Sustainable certifications: Third-party validations that confirm a product's adherence to sustainability benchmarks, instilling consumer confidence in its eco-friendly nature.
RESEARCH USED:
- The Global Fashion Agenda discerns the fashion sector as accounting for 20-35% of worldwide microplastic pollution.
- The Ellen MacArthur Foundation reports that annually, one-third of all produced plastic packaging eventually contaminates nature.
- The United Nations Environment Programme highlights the e-commerce domain as contributing 1.5% to global greenhouse gas emissions.
For any questions please contact us at hello@johnjulia.com.
USEFUL RESOURCES TO LEARN MORE:
DISCOVERING SUSTAINABLE OPTIONS
Our Sustainability page houses all our eco-friendly brands and products. To streamline your shopping experience, use our "Sustainability" filters or navigate to our Sustainability section in the menu.
Your shopping decisions can pave the way for a greener tomorrow. We urge you to prioritize sustainability and invest in enduring fashion pieces that will serve you for years to come.