If you know us, you know we care about the planet and are on a mission to make an impact through trees (that’s kind of our whole thing). And if you’re a part of our community, then you do too.
Sustainable clothing in Canada (especially on the West Coast) isn’t a new concept, but it’s more important now than ever. With 25% tariffs imposed on Canadian goods by the U.S. and subsequent retaliatory tariffs now in effect, alongside the ever present climate crisis, buying sustainably made apparel not only supports our local economy but also the planet we call home.
As a Canadian founded, owned, and operated company, Tentree is a key player in Canada’s sustainable clothing landscape. With a Benefit Corporation (B Corp) score of 136.2, we’re proud to be one of the top 100 Canadian B Corps and one of the top five scoring apparel brands globally.
So, being Canadian and sustainable is nothing new to us; it’s simply who we are. But what defines a sustainable clothing brand in Canada? Let’s break it down.
Defining Sustainability in the Apparel Industry
Sustainability is a buzzword that’s often used without real action behind it. So, how can you tell if a brand is truly sustainable or just greenwashing? It’s all about looking at the bigger picture: from materials to manufacturing to transparency.
What is Slow Fashion?
To understand sustainability, it helps to know what it’s not. Fast fashion — the rapid production of cheap, low-quality clothing — is a huge contributor to environmental harm. We’re talking about quick turnarounds, cheap labor, and disposable clothes that end up in landfills.
Slow fashion, on the other hand, prioritizes quality, longevity, and ethical production. Rather than churning out products at an unsustainable pace, slow fashion brands focus on creating durable pieces that last longer and have a lower impact on the planet. By shifting toward slow fashion, consumers can help reduce the strain that fast fashion puts on the environment.
Core Pillars of Sustainable Canadian Clothing Brands
So, what does a sustainable brand actually look like in practice? There are a few key pillars that define what it means to be truly sustainable in Canada’s textiles and apparel scene:
1. Ethical Manufacturing
Working with manufacturers who prioritize fair labor practices and safe working conditions is a critical component of being a sustainable brand. Sustainable clothes are made in a way that’s kind to the earth and those who call it home. That’s why we work only with manufacturers and suppliers who are conscious of their environmental impact and guarantee a safe, respectful environment for their employees.
In Canada, human rights due diligence is a legal responsibility under Bill S-211, which sets us apart from the U.S. As a business, we’re required to demonstrate that our supply chain is free from child labor, bonded labor, and modern slavery, and report on this each year. This means we work closely with our manufacturing partners to make sure ethical practices are present at every stage of production.
All of our partner facilities are regularly audited to ensure they meet our high standards for both environmental and social responsibility, including compliance with our Code of Conduct and international labor standards. You can learn more by reading our Human Rights Policy Statement.
2. Low Environmental Impact
Reducing water, energy use, and waste where possible is key to a brand’s sustainability initiatives. The goal is to leave as minimal of a footprint as possible. That’s why we only work with factories that prioritize efficient manufacturing processes and use sustainable energy sources.
And that commitment goes beyond manufacturing — it shapes how we ship and deliver, too. From opting for sea shipping over air to using EVs for the final stage of delivery, we’re constantly looking for ways to reduce our impact.
3. Sustainable Materials
Using low-impact fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, recycled polyester, and TENCEL™ lyocell helps brands (like us!) reduce their environmental footprint.
These materials support a circular economy by reducing waste and minimizing the need for new resources. At Tentree, we prioritize sustainability by using fabrics that require less water, use fewer chemicals (like in our non-toxic, PFAS-free outerwear), and using energy-efficient production processes.
We also support regenerative farming practices, like growing cotton in ways that restore soil health and capture carbon, helping to create a more resilient and sustainable supply chain.
4. Transparency & Certifications
Truly sustainable brands are transparent about their supply chains and often hold certifications to ensure they meet high environmental and social standards. Some of the main ones in Canada include:
- Benefit Corporation (B Corp): This organization certifies companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
- Fairtrade: Ensures fair wages, safe working conditions, and sustainable practices for producers in developing countries.
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100: Certifies textiles are free from harmful chemicals and safe for human use.
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): Certifies organic textiles, ensuring environmentally friendly practices and fair labor standards throughout production.
- bluesign®: Certifies textiles for safe chemical use, reduced environmental impact, and responsible resource management throughout production.
Certifications help back up a brand’s sustainability claims and provide third-party, independent verification that they’re meeting defined standards. While it’s possible for brands to be sustainable without them, if a brand doesn’t have these certifications, who’s to say they’re really living up to what they claim?
How Canada’s Sustainability Standards Differ from America’s
While Canada and the U.S. share many sustainability goals, Canadian brands are often held to stricter environmental and ethical standards, from waste management to labor rights. For example, in Canada, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws at the federal level require producers to manage the lifecycle of their packaging, including fees that support recycling infrastructure. Meanwhile, while some U.S. states have adopted EPR laws, there is no federal mandate requiring producers to manage the entire lifecycle of their packaging.
What We Do Differently
Beyond complying with widely recognized core sustainability pillars, we do our best to go above and beyond in the sustainability space — from internal frameworks to end-of-life and recycling programs to, of course, planting trees for every piece.
The Restorative Agenda
At Tentree, we’ve created the Restorative Agenda — our internal framework that guides us beyond sustainability toward a net-positive impact. It serves as a roadmap for how we’re not just minimizing harm but actively benefiting the planet through five key areas: Transparency, Climate, Product, Nature, and People. And for brands unsure of how to begin their sustainability journey, the Restorative Agenda offers a place to start.
Circularity by Tentree
Reducing our impact doesn’t stop at materials or manufacturing — the post-use journey of our products is just as important. 85% of clothing ends up in landfills, and less than 1% is recycled. To combat that fact, we launched our recycling and resale program, Circularity by Tentree, in 2022. In 2023, we expanded the program to take back and recycle used clothing from any brand and enable peer-to-peer resale in Canada.
And Don’t Forget, We Plant Trees
It’s all about the trees at Tentree. Since the very beginning, we’ve planted ten trees for every item sold. And so far, we’ve planted over 105 million across the world, with a goal of planting 1 billion by 2030. Pretty cool, eh?
The Future of Sustainable Clothing in Canada
Sustainability continues to evolve. And therefore, so does the need for consumers to make thoughtful choices. The demand for sustainable products, from their materials to manufacturing to end of life, is growing. But beyond doing less bad and simply working not to take away from the earth, our product does more good by creating an incredible environmental benefit by planting ten trees for every item sold.
By understanding what truly defines a sustainable clothing brand and supporting brands that take the necessary actions, consumers can make choices that directly create the change they want to see in the world.
Wear your impact. To learn more about what we’re doing to restore the planet, check out last year’s Impact Report.
Looking for your next favorite sustainable piece? Get planting at tentree.ca.
