Nowadays, nearly every clothing brand calls itself sustainable. The difference is we always have been.
We’ve always planted 10 trees for every item sold that capture carbon, restore ecosystems, protect wildlife habitats, and support communities. But beyond planting trees, we also choose lower-impact materials in an effort to tread as lightly as possible on the planet we play in, and that includes what goes into the clothes we make.
Fabrics matter, not just for how they feel on your skin, but also for the impact they have on the Earth. We make our apparel and accessories using only eco-friendly materials made up of organic and recycled fibers; primarily TENCEL™ Lyocell, Organic Cotton, and Recycled Polyester. It’s an Earth-First approach, every fiber in our arsenal is chosen for its comfort, durability, and overall environmental benefits. No trend-hopping or fast fashion-esque antics here, just intentional choices that make a difference.
What Makes a Fabric Eco-Friendly
The most sustainable fabrics aren’t just the ones that sound natural — they’re the ones that actually do less harm. That can mean a few different things: lower water use, fewer chemicals, less energy to produce, a smaller carbon footprint, and ideally, a way to biodegrade or be recycled at the end of its life.
As of 2023, over 99% of the fibres we used were preferred. That means they’re lower-impact, certified, or regenerative. We also make sure the materials we use meet rigorous third-party standards. Over 40% of our fabric volume is now covered by certifications like Bluesign®, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and the Global Recycled Standard (GRS).
We look for fibers that hit that sweet spot: responsibly sourced, offer a lighter lift on the planet, and are built to last. And if that fabric happens to be super soft and offer technical everyday features, like wicking or breathability? Even better.
How We Select Fabric Manufacturers
So, how do we ensure we’re using the most sustainable fabrics possible, made in the most responsible way possible? It starts with alignment. Every manufacturer we work with must meet our sourcing guidelines, uphold our Code of Conduct and share our values around sustainability, transparency, and ethical labour. Before any production begins, all suppliers are required to sign our Code of Conduct, which is designed to ensure that every person involved in making our products is respected, valued, and safe. We also require regular third-party audits to hold our partners accountable over time. From there, we run through a detailed internal checklist:
- Can they make the fiber we need?
- Do their practices meet our baseline certifications for each fiber?
- What is their environmental impact, and how do they treat the people behind the product?
All of our partners must uphold strict environmental and social standards, with certifications like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), the Global Recycling Standard (GRS), RCS, OCS, Bluesign®, ISO 9001, Fairtrade, and the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI). We are on track to phase out coal-powered production by 2025, and we actively seek out mills and factories that utilize lower-impact processes, conserving water and reducing chemical use. We also consider traceability and circularity from the start. Our recycled fibers come from trusted third-party partners like SuperCircle, who use technology to sort, recover, and redirect used materials back into the value chain, ideally into closed-loop systems that help keep textiles out of landfills. Our product team designs with those guidelines in mind, selecting fibers that can be recycled or regenerated when they reach the end of their life. And we do our homework. Before bringing on a new manufacturer, we conduct an initial audit, looking at who else they work with, whether they’ve passed a high-standard compliance check, and reviewing environmental tools like the Canopy Hot Button Report. We only source from suppliers rated “Dark Green”, the best of the best, to ensure ancient and endangered forests aren’t in any of our production processes.
Materials We Rely On
Not every fabric is created equal. At Tentree, we focus on fibers that are as easy on the planet as they are to wear. Here’s how three of our core materials stack up, and why you’ll find them in almost everything we make.
TENCEL™ Lyocell
TENCEL™ is made with wood pulp derived from sustainably managed forests. Think eucalyptus, beech, or bamboo. That pulp is turned into fiber in a closed-loop system, which means water and solvents get reused instead of tossed out. It’s a cleaner process that keeps waste and emissions low.
The result is a super soft, breathable fabric that feels great and breaks down naturally over time. You’ll find it in our signature blends like TreeBlend and TreeFleece, which make for great tees, sweats, and mid-layers.
Organic Cotton
Conventional cotton is one of the most pesticide-heavy crops on the planet. It’s even earned the nickname “the world’s dirtiest crop.” That said, we avoid it. Instead, we use organic cotton grown without harmful chemicals or synthetic fertilizers, which is better for the soil, the farmers, and the planet as a whole. Organic cotton also uses less water and helps maintain healthier ecosystems.
And we’re continuing to invest in more regenerative and ethical cotton sourcing. In 2024, we joined Harvesting the Future – Cotton India, an industry-wide initiative led by the Fair Labor Association aimed at improving transparency and working conditions in cotton farming. It addresses labour risks while uplifting women and small-scale farmers through fair wages and sustainable agriculture.
We’re also proud that almost 30% of the cotton we source is Fairtrade certified.
REPREVE® Recycled Polyester
When we’re not using a natural material, it’s most likely recycled. Our recycled polyester, made with REPREVE® fibres, starts with things like plastic bottles and turns them into durable, versatile fibres that keep waste out of landfills and oceans.
It adds structure and stretch to our performance fabrics and helps create long-lasting gear that doesn’t wear out after a few washes. From leggings to rainwear to our InMotion performance styles, recycled polyester offers function without the footprint.
And thanks to the Global Recycled Standard, we’re able to trace these fibres back to their source.
So, Are Natural Fibers More Sustainable than Synthetic?
In short, yes. Natural fibres tend to be renewable, biodegradable, and require less energy to produce, especially when grown responsibly. Fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, and linen are often easier on the environment than virgin synthetics. That said, not all natural fibers are created equal, and not all synthetics are inherently bad.
A synthetic fiber that’s been recycled can sometimes be a better choice for the Earth than extracting a new resource to create a garment, even if it’s renewable. A recycled polyester made from plastic waste, for example, can often be a better choice for the planet than extracting brand-new resources to make a natural fibre garment, especially if that fibre isn’t grown or processed responsibly. It all comes down to how the material is sourced, produced, and used to qualify as preferred.
Working with Eco-Friendly Fabric Suppliers
Of course, whether a fabric is eco-friendly not only depends on its composition, but also on where it comes from. Every Tentree item made is produced in a way that’s kind to the Earth and the people who call it home. To ensure this, we align with multiple global certifications such as B Corp and the Climate Label, and only work with manufacturers and suppliers who follow our Code of Conduct.
But when it comes to fabric production,
To us, sustainability isn’t the finish line, it’s the baseline. Our mission has always been to make restoring the planet simple. That starts with trees, but it doesn’t stop there. That’s why we design everything with an Earth-First mindset, using eco-friendly, recycled, and organic materials that are built to last, not to go to the landfill.
See how comfortable sustainable can be for yourself, and get planting at tentree.ca.
