Olmsted Outerwear
Our Rating: 4 Stars - Good
Price: $ $ $ $
Country of origin: Canada
Official brand website: Visit
Olmsted Outerwear is a brand that prioritizes sustainability and environmental consciousness in the fashion industry. With a focus on using eco-friendly materials and manufacturing practices, they aim to reduce their carbon footprint and minimize textile waste. Their efforts have earned them a ‘good’ environment rating.
Eco-Friendly Materials
Olmsted Outerwear is committed to using a medium proportion of eco-friendly materials in their products. They prioritize the use of Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) cotton, which ensures that their cotton is grown without the use of harmful chemicals or genetically modified organisms. This not only benefits the environment but also promotes the health and well-being of the farmers who grow the cotton.
Local Manufacturing
In an effort to reduce their carbon footprint, Olmsted Outerwear manufactures their products locally. By producing their garments close to their customers, they are able to minimize the emissions associated with transportation and support local economies. Local manufacturing also allows for better quality control and more efficient communication between the brand and their production partners.
Made to Order
Olmsted Outerwear takes a proactive approach to minimizing textile waste by producing their products on a made-to-order basis. This means that they only produce garments when they are ordered by customers, reducing the risk of overproduction and excess inventory. By embracing this approach, they are able to avoid the environmental impact of unnecessary textile waste and contribute to a more sustainable fashion industry.
Eco-Friendly Production Practices
In addition to using eco-friendly materials and manufacturing locally, Olmsted Outerwear also focuses on reducing the amount of chemicals, water, and wastewater used in their production process. By choosing eco-friendly materials, they are able to minimize the need for harmful chemicals and reduce their overall environmental impact. This commitment to sustainability extends beyond the materials themselves and encompasses every step of the production process.
Fair Labour Practices
Olmsted Outerwear’s labour rating is ‘it’s a start’, suggesting that there is room for improvement in this area. While their final stage of production takes place in Canada, a country known for low risk of labour abuse, there is no evidence that the brand ensures payment of a living wage in its supply chain. However, they do visit their suppliers regularly and conduct audits to maintain transparency and accountability.
Animal Welfare
When it comes to animal welfare, Olmsted Outerwear has a ‘good’ rating. They do not use fur, wool, exotic animal skin, exotic animal hair, or angora in their products. Instead, they opt for ethically sourced down and use leather. Although the use of leather may raise some concerns among animal welfare advocates, Olmsted Outerwear’s commitment to not using other animal-derived materials demonstrates a conscious effort to reduce their impact on animals.
Overall Rating
Olmsted Outerwear is rated ‘Good’ overall, reflecting their commitment to sustainability and environmental consciousness. While there are areas that can be further improved, such as fair labour practices, they have taken significant steps towards creating a more sustainable fashion industry. By using eco-friendly materials, manufacturing locally, and minimizing textile waste, they set an example for other brands to follow in the pursuit of a more environmentally friendly future.
