Top Sustainable Hoodies Brands for Ethical Fashion

Companies that create new products from recycled materials are known as “closed loop production systems”. Sustainable clothing brands are recycling materials from landfills and oceans to create new hoodies.
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The world needs change and no one person can do it alone. However, small changes made by each individual can lead to a revolution. The current situation is dire, aS fast fashion has become the second biggest polluter on the planet after oil.

We all have a role to play, from fabric manufacturers to consumers, in taking responsibility for how we create, consume and dispose of clothing. In response, sustainable fashion brands are creating clothing from recycled materials like plastic bottles, cotton, fleece, insulation and even fishing nets. These unused materials are transformed into brand new fabrics to make products like hoodies. 

According to the clothing brand Pure Waste, hoodies made from discarded and/or recycled materials use an average of 99% less water and 50% fewer CO2 emissions. While this does not solve the pollution problem, it does help reduce oil consumption and remove some plastic from the oceans.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Fashion companies are some of the biggest polluters in the world, and the fashion industry has a significant impact on the environment.
  • You can make a difference by buying smarter, being more mindful of how you use and dispose of clothing, and considering eco-friendly alternatives.
  • This article will provide you with a comprehensive list of brands that create sustainable hoodies, including sustainability certifications and designations. 

Sustainable Hoodies: Top Brands and Eco-Friendly Practices

The North Face Mountain Sweatshirt Hoodie
– Price: $149

North Face Sustainable Hoodie

Comes in styles for women.

The North Face Mountain Sweatshirt Hoodie is made from recycled polyester and is the perfect companion for sports like hiking, skiing and anything that involves cold, wet weather. It is water resistant, quilted for extra warmth and has warmth-retaining insulation.

North Face has several sustainability certifications, including:

  • Bluesign® – They use sustainable and responsible manufacturing processes to reduce their impact on the environment.
  • Responsible Down Standard (RDS) – The company is committed to using down in their products that comes from ethically treated animals. They are RDS certified, which ensures that their down is responsibly sourced.
  • Fair Trade Certified™ – North Face has a number of products that are Fair Trade Certified™, which means that the people who make them are treated fairly and receive a fair wage.
  • Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) – North Face uses organic cotton in some of their products, which ensures that the cotton is grown without harmful chemicals and is processed in a sustainable manner.

Patagonia Los Gatos Hoodie
– Price: $129

Patagonia Los Gatos Sustainable Hoodies

Available in styles for women and men.

The Patagonia Los Gatos sustainable hoodie is made with recycled polyester and contains an average of 30 plastic bottles. The oversized hoodie is soft, warm and sewn in a Fair Trade Certified Factory. It is also bluesign approved and does not contain toxic chemicals or dyes. Patagonia even uses 100% recyclable materials for packaging and shipping.

  • Patagonia is known for its strong commitment to sustainability and has a number of certifications and partnerships, including bluesign®, Fair Trade Certified™, B Corp™, and Textile Exchange.

Coalatree Evolution Hoodie
– Price: $99

Fair Trade Companies Coalatree

Comes in styles for men and women.

Coalatree uses an innovative process to convert coffee beans and plastic bottles into fabric.  Each hoodie is made with 60% recycled polyester and 40% coffee grounds, containing an average of 3 cups coffee grounds and 10 plastic bottles per hoodie.

The coffee grounds are melted down and blended with recycled plastic bottles. The result is a hoodie with a non-toxic, odor-resistant, water-repellent, DWR exterior that’s excellent for travel and outdoor activities in any weather. Coalatree products are bluesign certified non-toxic.

Coalatree employs a closed loop CO2 vapor system to reuse stored CO2 and reduce water waste in the dyeing process. They also partner with factories that use energy efficient ventilation, and solar lighting.

  • Coalatree has a number of sustainable initiatives and uses materials like recycled polyester and coffee waste and organic cotton in their products, but does not currently hold any certifications.

Rab Filament Hoodie
– Price: $125

Rab Filament Sustainable Hoodie

Comes in styles for men and women.

The Rab Filament Hoodie is a technical-fit fleece made from recycled polyester. The sustainable hoodie is designed to remain dry even with heavy perspiration, rain, and snow. It is ideal for high alpine sports like climbing or backcountry skiing.

  • Rab Filament has a number of sustainability initiatives and partnerships, but does not currently hold any certifications.

Plant Faced Clothing Knaji Hoodie
– Price: $79

Plant Faced Vegan Recycled Content Hoodie

Available in styles for men and women.

Plant Based Clothing makes vegan hoodies from sustainable materials, comprised of 15% recycled polyester, and 85% organic cotton, with water based, non-toxic dyes.

Inspired by Japanese streetwear culture, this hoodie is made with 100% Certified Organic Cotton and sewn in a Fair Trade certified factory.

Pure Waste Hoodie
– Price: $50

Purewaste Unisex Hoodie made of Recycled Materials

Available in styles for men and women.

Each Pure Waste sustainable hoodie is 60% recycled cotton, 40% recycled polyester, excess knitting yarn used to make drawstrings.

Pure Waste has the following certifications, Fair Trade Certified, Certified B Corp., Amfori Business Social Compliance Initiative and Supplier Ethical Data Exchange.

The company uses 100% recycled fabrics that would otherwise end up in landfills, 90% of the energy used to power their factory comes from wind power.

  • Pure Waste is 100% compliant with local and international labor laws, does not employ any underage workers, and offers voluntary paid overtime. Their supply chain is BSCI-audited (Business Social Compliance Initiative), which verifies that fair trade labor policies are enforced. The company has also received certifications from organizations like GOTS and OEKO-TEX®.

Cotopaxi Do Good Hoodie
– Price: $65

Cotopaxi Men's Do Good Hoodie

Comes in styles for men and women.

The Cotopaxi “Do Good” hoodie made with a blend of 60% organic cotton and 40% recycled polyester.

Cotopaxi has the following certifications: Fair Trade Certified, Certified B Corp., Climate Neutral Certified

Cotopaxi donates 1% of its revenue each year to a non-profit working to improve the quality of life and alleviate property for specific groups of people. Past funds have included working to eradicate Malaria in Latin America to providing small business loans for Columbian and Venezuelan refugees.

  • Cotopaxi is a member of 1% for the Planet and has received a number of sustainability certifications, including B Corp™ and bluesign®.

Recover Brands Pullover Hoodie
– Price: $45

Recover Brands sustainable hoodie

Available in styles for men and women.

Recover Brands hoodies are made using 100% recycled content – 50% recycled polyester and 50% up-cycled cotton. Recover Brands clothing are 100% vegan.

In order reduce CO2 emissions, Recover sources their recycled PET plastic from within 150 miles of their Charlotte warehouse. Their optimized manufacturing process achieves 66% less energy consumption, 35% less greenhouse gas emissions,  and 55% less water consumption. The company also founded the non-profit “Protect Our Parks” to inspire people to cherish and conserve parks and forests.

Recover Brands’ entire supply chain is US based to ensure that basic labor laws are upheld, including minimum wage, safe working environments and hourly work day limits. Recover helps fund co-ops and organizations that create ethical jobs, provide educational opportunities for girls and women, and pay workers living wages.

  • Recover Brands has received certifications from organizations like bluesign®, Global Recycled Standard (GRS), and OEKO-TEX®.

Topo Designs River Hoodie
– Price: $82

Topo Designs River Sustainable Hoodies - Men

Comes in styles for men and women.

The Topo Designs River sustainable hoodie is made from recycled polyester and can be worn alone or as a mid-layer on cold days. It’s moisture wicking and odor resistant.

  • Topo Designs uses bluesign® approved materials in their products.

Marmot Pullover Hooded Sweatshirt
– Price: $55

Marmot Sustainable Hoodies for Women - White

Comes in styles for women.

Marmot’s sustainable hoodie is made from recycled polyester and features raglan sleeves, adjustable cowl-neck, and 1 large kangaroo pocket.

  • Marmot is a member of the Fair Labor Association (FLA) and has also received bluesign® certification for their environmentally responsible production methods.

Tentree Burney Sustainable Hoodie
– Price: $78

Burney Zip Sustainable Hoodies

Available in styles for women.

The Tentree soft fleece Burney hoodie is made with 93% recycled polyester and a blend of organic cotton, wood-based TENCEL™ Lyocell and elastane. The hoodie is 100% vegan.

Tentree is a Certified B Corp. The company has eliminated single use packaging, uses FSC certified and 100% recycled paper for tags and inserts, 100% recycled mailers and 100% post-consumer recycled, biodegradable plastic to protect clothing during transit. BDP is added to the plastic to ensure it biodegrades within 2-3 years after disposal.

Tentree also plants a tree for every product purchased. Their hoodies also use an average of 75% less water to produce. Customers can purchase an “Offset Package”, which funds initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions.

Thea skirt Spirulina gum print

Thea skirt Spirulina gum print

Organic Cotton

Labor Equity

  • Gender: Women
  • Location: Australia
  • Shipping: Worldwide
  • Certifications: Global Organic Textile Standard
  • Materials: Locally sourced, certified organic fabrics.
  • Vegan: Yes
  • Sustainable Features: All items are produced at the family-owned facilities in Brisbane, Australia. This ensures a living wage and safe workplace conditions.
  • Price Range: $100 – $200

 

Women's Organic Cotton Quilt Snap-T® Pullover

Women’s Organic Cotton Quilt Snap-T® Pullover

Eco-Friendly

Vegan Materials

Organic Cotton

Labor Equity
  • Gender: Men, Women
  • Location: United States
  • Shipping: Worldwide
  • Certifications: Remake Approved, Global Organic Textile Standard, B Corp, Fair Trade Certified, Open Apparel Registry
  • Materials: In 2020 Patagonia transitioned to the Nano Puff® 100% recycled PrimaLoft® Insulation with P.U.R.E™ textile — reducing CO2 emissions by 510,000 pounds annually. 
  • Sustainable Features: Patagonia has a self-imposed 1% tax for the Planet to support environmental nonprofits.
  • Price Range: $90 – $300
Colorful Standard Women's Classic Organic Zip Hoodie

Colorful Standard Women’s Classic Organic Zip Hoodie

Eco-Friendly

Organic Cotton

Non Toxic Chemical Free

Labor Equity

  • Gender: Men, Women
  • Location: Denmark
  • Shipping: Worldwide
  • Certifications: OEKO-TEX® Non-Toxic Textiles
  • Materials: Environmentally Friendly Dyes and 100% organic cotton.
  • Vegan: No, the company uses Merino Wool in some products.
  • Sustainable Features: The company’s workforce is based in Portugal and operates under European Union Labour Law, which ensures a high level of workplace safety and that all employees receive a living wage.
  • Price Range: $35 – $100
Honest Basics Women's Crew Neck Sweater

Honest Basics Women’s Crew Neck Sweater

Eco-Friendly

Organic Cotton

Non Toxic Chemical Free

Labor Equity

  • Gender: Men, Women
  • Location: Germany
  • Shipping: Europe
  • Certifications: Global Organic Textile Standard
  • Materials: Organic, vegan fabrics
  • Vegan: Yes, certified by PETA
  • Sustainable Features: The company employs equitable labor practices and ensures all receive a living wage.
  • Price Range: $15 – $100 (prices in euros)
Pangaia Sustainable Hoodies

Pangaia Sustainable Hoodies

Eco-Friendly

Organic Cotton

Labor Equity

  • Gender: Men, Women
  • Location: Germany
  • Shipping: Europe
  • Certifications: Global Organic Textile Standard
  • Materials: Organic fabrics
  • Vegan: Yes
  • Sustainable Features: the company’s production is in the European Union and has a Code of Conduct that includes some of the ILO Four Fundamental Freedoms.
  • Price Range: $30 – $300 (prices in euros)
Picture Organic Clothing Esme Hoodie

Picture Organic Clothing Women’s Esme Hoodie

Eco-Friendly

Organic Cotton

Non Toxic Chemical Free

Labor Equity

  • Gender: Men, Women
  • Location: France
  • Shipping: Worldwide
  • Certifications: B Corp., Fair Wear Foundation
  • Materials: 100% recycled, organic or ethically sourced materials.
  • Vegan: Yes
  • Sustainable Features: The company produces 84% of their products from 2 factories – one in China and one in Turkey. The founders regularly visit the facilities, and workplace safety is evaluated by third party organizations.
  • Price Range: $50 – $300 (prices in euros)
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