FREED
Our Rating: 4 Stars - Good
Price: $ $ $ $
Country of origin: Canada
Official brand website: Visit
Environmental Impact
Our “Planet” rating evaluates brands based on the environmental policies in their supply chains, from carbon emissions and wastewater to business models and product circularity. Here we rate FREED “Good”. These are a few factors influencing its score:
- It uses a medium proportion of lower-impact materials including recycled materials.
- To minimize waste, it reuses all of its textile offcuts.
- It manufactures its products closer to home to reduce the climate impact of long-distance shipping.
- There’s no evidence it takes action to minimize its packaging, which is a driver of plastic waste.
Workers’ Rights
Workers’ rights are central to our “People” rating, which assesses brands’ policies and practices on everything from child labor to living wages and gender equality. Here we rate FREED “It’s a Start”. These are a few factors influencing its score:
- Its final production stage happens in Canada, a low-risk country for labor abuse.
- It visits its suppliers regularly.
- There’s no evidence it has a Code of Conduct.
- There’s no evidence it ensures workers are paid living wages in its supply chain.
Animal Welfare
Brands’ animal welfare policies and, where applicable, how well they trace their animal-derived products are the focus of our “Animals” rating. Here we rate FREED “Great”. It states that its entire product range is vegan.
Overall Rating
Based on all publicly available information we’ve reviewed, we rate FREED “Good” overall.
Through its use of lower-impact materials, efficient production, and commitment to reducing waste, FREED has shown a dedication to minimizing its environmental impact. By manufacturing products closer to home, the brand is taking steps to decrease the emissions associated with long-distance shipping. However, the lack of action in minimizing packaging waste is a concern that could be addressed to further improve its environmental rating.
On the other hand, while FREED has made progress in ensuring workers’ rights by choosing low-risk countries for production and regularly visiting suppliers, the absence of a Code of Conduct and the lack of evidence regarding living wages in the supply chain indicate areas for improvement.
Despite these areas that need attention, the brand’s commitment to vegan products and animal welfare has earned it a high rating in the Animals category. Overall, FREED has received a positive rating for its efforts towards sustainability, but there are areas where further improvements could make a significant impact.
