Our editors curate highly rated brands that are first assessed by our rigorous ratings system. Buying through our links may earn us a commission—supporting the work we do. Learn more. Environmental impact is one of our three pillars when rating brands. Here are the top-rated brands scoring “Great” for their efforts in reducing the impact of their products and business operations, and helping to protect the planet.
The global fashion industry, valued at over $2.5 trillion, has for decades operated on a model prioritizing rapid production, low costs, and massive scale, leading to significant environmental degradation. This inherent sense of duty to nourish the planet that nourishes us right back has sadly fallen by the wayside, particularly with the rise of fast fashion. The rapid consumption and disposal cycle inherent in this model has led to devastating effects on the environment, contributing substantially to the climate crisis—the most pressing environmental issue of our time. From excessive water consumption and pollution to massive carbon emissions and burgeoning landfill waste, the fashion industry’s footprint is undeniable. Conscious consumers are now increasingly aware of these impacts and are actively seeking solid steps to reduce their environmental footprint, such as making the most of existing wardrobes, reducing overall consumption, embracing secondhand options, and, crucially, exploring more sustainable brands when new purchases become necessary. Recognizing this critical shift, our team has undertaken a thorough investigation to identify fashion and beauty brands that truly exemplify a "Great" commitment to planetary health.
The Environmental Toll of the Fashion Industry: A Call for Change
The scale of environmental damage caused by the fashion industry is staggering. It is estimated to be responsible for up to 10% of global carbon emissions, more than international flights and maritime shipping combined. This figure encompasses everything from the energy-intensive production of raw materials and manufacturing processes to transportation across global supply chains and the disposal of garments at their end-of-life. Water pollution is another severe consequence, with textile dyeing and treatment accounting for approximately 20% of industrial water pollution globally. Chemicals used in these processes often contaminate local water sources, impacting ecosystems and human health. Furthermore, the cultivation of conventional cotton is notoriously water-intensive, requiring thousands of liters of water for a single t-shirt, often in water-stressed regions. The proliferation of synthetic fibers like polyester, while durable, contributes significantly to microplastic pollution, as tiny plastic fibers are shed during washing and make their way into oceans and food chains.
The issue of waste is equally critical. The fast fashion model encourages disposability, leading to an enormous volume of textile waste. Millions of tons of clothing end up in landfills annually, where synthetic materials can take hundreds of years to decompose, releasing greenhouse gases in the process. Even natural fibers, when mixed with synthetics or treated with chemicals, struggle to biodegrade effectively. Deforestation, particularly for man-made cellulosic fibers like viscose that aren’t sustainably sourced, and impacts on biodiversity through habitat destruction for raw material cultivation further compound the problem. The industry’s reliance on a linear "take-make-dispose" model is simply unsustainable in the long term, making the transition to circular economy principles an urgent necessity.
Good On You’s Rigorous Planet Rating Methodology
To help consumers navigate the complex landscape of sustainable claims and discern genuine efforts from pervasive greenwashing, our "planet rating" pillar employs a comprehensive and deep-dive methodology. We meticulously investigate brands’ environmental policies and practices across a wide spectrum of factors. Our assessment considers:
- Resource Use and Waste Management: This includes analyzing the types of fibers and materials brands utilize, prioritizing lower-impact and recycled options. We examine their strategies for waste reduction throughout their supply chain, from manufacturing offcuts to packaging.
- Business Model Sustainability and Product Durability: We evaluate whether a brand’s core business model promotes longevity and reduces the need for frequent consumption. This involves looking at the quality and durability of their products, which directly impacts their lifespan and reduces landfill waste.
- Commitment to Circularity: A crucial aspect is a brand’s dedication to circular economy principles. This means assessing their efforts in designing products for disassembly, repairability, recycling, and the incorporation of recycled content, aiming to keep materials in use for as long as possible. We scrutinize their textile waste practices, including take-back programs and partnerships for recycling.
- Energy Use and Carbon Emissions: We investigate brands’ policies and reported data on energy consumption in their facilities and supply chain, their transition to renewable energy sources, and their strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Water Management: This involves examining their water usage, wastewater treatment, and efforts to minimize water pollution across all stages of production.
- Biodiversity and Deforestation: We assess policies related to responsible sourcing of materials to prevent deforestation and protect biodiversity, especially concerning materials like wood-based fibers or leather.
- Microfiber Pollution: For brands using synthetic materials, we look for initiatives to address microfiber shedding, such as promoting washing bags or investing in innovative fiber technologies.
- Chemical Use and Disposal: We scrutinize the use of hazardous chemicals in manufacturing processes, advocating for safer alternatives and responsible disposal practices to protect workers and the environment.
By thoroughly investigating these multifaceted aspects, we aim to provide consumers with an objective and transparent assessment of a brand’s true environmental performance, empowering them to make informed purchasing decisions that align with their values. Brands achieving a "Great" rating demonstrate not just a stated intention but concrete, verifiable actions and measurable progress in minimizing their ecological footprint.
The Top-Rated Brands: Pioneers in Planetary Protection
In the past year, our rigorous rating and re-rating process has identified a select group of clothing and accessory brands that stand out for their exceptional commitment to environmental stewardship, earning our coveted "Great" score for the planet. These brands represent the vanguard of a movement towards a more responsible and sustainable fashion industry, demonstrating that style and ethics can indeed coexist.
Goodnap
Goodnap, an Australia-based brand, distinguishes itself in the sleepwear market by prioritizing both environmental responsibility and social equity. The brand’s commitment to the planet is evident in its exclusive use of lower-impact materials, such as certified organic cotton and Tencel Lyocell. Organic cotton significantly reduces water consumption and eliminates the use of harmful pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, which are detrimental to soil health and biodiversity. Tencel Lyocell, derived from sustainably sourced wood pulp, is produced in a closed-loop system that recycles water and solvents, making it a highly resource-efficient fiber. Beyond materials, Goodnap is deeply committed to ensuring equitable employment for workers throughout its supply chain, reflecting a holistic approach to sustainability that encompasses social welfare alongside environmental care. This includes advocating for fair wages, safe working conditions, and respect for labor rights. The brand’s dedication to transparency is further highlighted by its comprehensive tracing of most of its supply chain, allowing for greater accountability and consumer trust. As a fully vegan brand, Goodnap also ensures that no animal products are used in its sleepwear, minimizing the ethical and environmental impacts associated with animal agriculture. This comprehensive approach positions Goodnap as a leader in creating comfortable, stylish, and conscientiously produced sleepwear.
BEDI
Hailing from Canada, BEDI champions a creative ethos centered on circularity and a "wear a better tomorrow" philosophy through its handmade bags, knits, and outerwear. The brand’s commitment to environmental impact reduction is deeply embedded in its material selection and design principles. BEDI actively diverts waste by utilizing lower-impact and upcycled materials, transforming discarded items into high-quality, long-lasting products. This includes innovative use of upcycled airline seat leather, which gives new life to materials that would otherwise end up in landfills, significantly reducing demand for virgin leather and its associated environmental footprint. Similarly, the incorporation of upcycled fish nets addresses plastic pollution in oceans, transforming harmful waste into valuable resources. BEDI also integrates vegan cactus leather and sustainably grown cotton, offering alternatives that minimize water usage, chemical inputs, and land degradation. Driven by a slow fashion ethos, BEDI designs pieces that are grounded in utility and constructed for life, emphasizing durability and timelessness over fleeting trends. This focus on longevity encourages consumers to invest in items intended to last for years, thereby reducing overall consumption and textile waste. The brand offers its range in sizes XS-XL, demonstrating an inclusive approach to sustainable fashion.
Outland Denim
Outland Denim, an Australian brand, has established itself as a pioneer in premium denim jeans and apparel by intertwining environmental sustainability with profound social impact. Founded with the explicit mission of offering employment opportunities and rehabilitation for women rescued from human trafficking in Cambodia, the brand addresses both critical human rights issues and environmental concerns. Environmentally, Outland Denim is committed to sustainable denim production, which is historically one of the most resource-intensive segments of the fashion industry. They utilize organic cotton, which avoids synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, protecting soil health and reducing water contamination. Their manufacturing processes incorporate advanced water-saving techniques, significantly reducing the vast quantities of water typically required for denim production and finishing. Furthermore, the brand employs innovative dyeing and washing methods that minimize the use of harsh chemicals, protecting both the environment and the health of their workers. This integrated approach ensures that every pair of jeans not only meets high environmental standards but also contributes to a virtuous cycle of empowerment and ethical production. Outland Denim’s commitment to transparency is evident in its carefully traced supply chain, ensuring ethical practices from farm to finished garment. Most of the brand’s range is available in US sizes 22-34, making sustainable denim accessible to a broader audience.
BASTET NOIR
BASTET NOIR stands out for its unique approach to fashion, focusing on modular 3-piece sets crafted from deadstock fabrics in limited production runs. This model inherently addresses one of the fashion industry’s most pressing environmental challenges: textile waste. By utilizing deadstock fabrics—leftover materials from other brands or mills—BASTET NOIR diverts high-quality textiles from landfills, significantly reducing the demand for new material production and conserving resources. The limited-run strategy also minimizes overproduction, a common issue in traditional fashion that leads to excess inventory and waste. The brand’s modular 3-piece sets are designed as multifunctional traveling essentials for the working woman, promoting versatility and longevity. This design philosophy encourages consumers to create multiple outfits from a few key pieces, thereby reducing the perceived need for frequent new purchases and fostering a more minimalist wardrobe approach. The inherent versatility of these pieces extends their lifespan and utility, aligning perfectly with principles of slow fashion. By offering most items in sizes 36-42, and even custom sizing, BASTET NOIR caters to individual needs, further ensuring that garments are cherished and worn for longer. This bespoke element reduces returns and dissatisfaction, contributing to a more sustainable consumption pattern.
FUTURA Jewelry
FUTURA Jewelry, a New York-based brand, exemplifies responsible luxury within the jewelry sector, a field often criticized for its environmental and social impacts. Each piece of FUTURA Jewelry is handcrafted using mercury-free 18kt Certified Fairmined Ecological gold. This certification is globally recognized as one of the most stringent standards for responsible gold mining, ensuring that the gold is sourced exclusively from artisanal and small-scale mines that operate without the use of toxic chemicals such as mercury and cyanide. Mercury, a highly toxic heavy metal, is commonly used in traditional gold mining and poses severe risks to miners’ health and contaminates water sources, impacting entire ecosystems. By committing to mercury-free and cyanide-free processes, FUTURA Jewelry directly mitigates these devastating environmental and health consequences. The brand’s gold comes from the three certified Fairmined mines in the world that meet these rigorous ecological standards, highlighting its commitment to truly ethical sourcing. This not only protects the environment but also ensures fair labor practices, safe working conditions, and community development in mining regions. FUTURA Jewelry sets a new benchmark for ethical luxury, demonstrating that exquisite craftsmanship and uncompromising environmental and social responsibility can go hand-in-hand, offering consumers a truly guilt-free indulgence.
Agazi
Agazi, a vegan footwear brand from Poland, presents a compelling alternative to conventional shoe production by prioritizing non-animal-derived and lower-impact materials. Its extensive range, encompassing sneakers, sandals, heels, and flat shoes, is entirely free from animal products, addressing ethical concerns related to animal welfare and the significant environmental footprint of the livestock industry. The brand innovates by using materials like hemp, apple skin, and grape-based alternative leathers. Hemp is a highly sustainable crop requiring minimal water and no pesticides, and its fibers are durable and breathable. Apple skin and grape-based leathers are remarkable bio-based alternatives that repurpose waste products from the fruit juice and wine industries, respectively. These materials offer the aesthetic and tactile qualities of traditional leather without the associated environmental costs, such as greenhouse gas emissions from livestock, land degradation, and chemical tanning processes. By focusing on such innovative and sustainable materials, Agazi actively reduces its reliance on virgin synthetic materials, which often have a higher carbon footprint and contribute to microplastic pollution, and avoids the ethical issues of animal exploitation. The brand’s commitment to veganism, combined with its exploration of cutting-edge bio-materials, positions Agazi at the forefront of sustainable footwear innovation, offering stylish and eco-conscious options for a discerning global consumer base.
The Broader Impact and Future of Sustainable Fashion
The efforts of brands like Goodnap, BEDI, Outland Denim, BASTET NOIR, FUTURA Jewelry, and Agazi underscore a significant shift within the fashion industry. Their commitment to environmental responsibility, often coupled with strong social ethics, is not merely a trend but a fundamental recalibration of business practices in response to global challenges. However, the path to a fully sustainable fashion industry is fraught with challenges. Greenwashing remains a pervasive issue, with many brands making vague or unsubstantiated claims about their environmental performance. This necessitates continued vigilance from organizations like Good On You and an informed consumer base. The scalability of genuinely sustainable practices, particularly for larger corporations, presents another hurdle, as does consumer price sensitivity, where sustainable products often carry a higher initial cost due to ethical sourcing and production methods.
Despite these obstacles, the future of fashion appears to be moving irrevocably towards greater sustainability. Innovation in material science, such as the development of new bio-based textiles, advanced recycling technologies, and more efficient manufacturing processes, is rapidly expanding the possibilities for eco-friendly production. Policy and regulation are also playing an increasingly important role, with governments and international bodies exploring measures like extended producer responsibility schemes, stricter chemical regulations, and transparency mandates. The European Union’s ambitious textile strategy, for instance, aims to make textiles more durable, reusable, repairable, and recyclable. Collaborative efforts across the industry, including the establishment of common standards and certifications, are vital to accelerate progress and ensure genuine impact. Ultimately, the collective choices of consumers, empowered by transparent information and a growing awareness of environmental and social costs, will continue to drive this transformation. By supporting brands that demonstrate genuine commitment to planetary protection, consumers hold significant power in shaping a more responsible and sustainable future for fashion.
Editor’s note: Feature image via Colorful Standard, all other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion and beauty brands’ impact on people, the planet and animals. Use the directory to search thousands of rated brands. We updated this article on 13 April 2026. Our editors frequently make updates to articles to ensure they’re up to date. We refreshed our round-up to ensure it reflects brands with recent ratings.
