Alder
Rating: It's a start
Price: $ $ $ $
Location: Canada
The Sustainability of Alder Brand
Alder, a leading brand in the fashion industry, is making significant efforts to contribute to sustainable practices and reduce its environmental impact. The brand has been evaluated based on its environmental policies, supply chain management, and commitment to workers’ rights and animal welfare.
Planet Rating
According to our evaluation, Alder has received a “Good” rating in the “Planet” category. This rating considers various factors related to the brand’s environmental impact. Alder utilizes a significant proportion of lower-impact materials, including recycled materials, in its production processes. This demonstrates the brand’s commitment to reducing the use of virgin resources and minimizing waste.
In addition to using lower-impact materials, Alder also limits its production runs to minimize waste. This strategy aligns with the principles of circular economy, where the brand focuses on producing only what is necessary to reduce overproduction and unnecessary waste.
While Alder has taken positive steps towards sustainability, there is still room for improvement. There is no evidence of the brand taking further action to reduce its energy use or greenhouse gas emissions. Enhancing energy efficiency and transitioning to renewable energy sources would help Alder further reduce its carbon footprint.
People Rating
The “People” rating assesses the brand’s policies and practices related to workers’ rights. Unfortunately, Alder receives a “Not Good Enough” rating in this category. The brand does supply from countries with extreme risks of labor abuse during the final stage of production. However, only part of its supply chain is certified by Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), indicating that there may be areas for improvement in labor practices.
An important aspect of workers’ rights is ensuring that they receive fair wages. Although Alder partly traces its supply chain, there is no evidence to suggest that it ensures workers are paid living wages. Guaranteeing fair wages is essential in supporting the livelihoods and well-being of workers throughout the supply chain.
Animals Rating
In terms of animal welfare, Alder receives a “Not Good Enough” rating in the “Animals” category. The brand lacks evidence of having an animal welfare policy in place. While it appears to use leather and wool, it does not use materials such as down, fur, angora, exotic animal skin, or exotic animal hair.
Improving animal welfare practices and implementing robust policies would contribute to a more sustainable and ethical approach to sourcing animal-derived materials.
Overall Rating
Considering all the factors and information available, Alder receives an overall rating of “It’s a Start.” This rating acknowledges the brand’s efforts in sustainability but also highlights areas where improvements can be made. Alder should focus on further reducing its environmental impact, strengthening its workers’ rights practices, and developing comprehensive animal welfare policies.
By continuously striving for improvement, Alder has the potential to become a leading brand in the sustainable fashion industry and set an example for others to follow.