The Knotty Ones
Our Rating: 4 Stars - Good
Price: $ $ $ $
Country of origin: Lithuania
Official brand website: Visit
Introduction
The Knotty Ones is a brand that is dedicated to sustainability in the fashion industry. In this article, we will evaluate their environmental policies, their commitment to workers’ rights, and their animal welfare policies. Based on our assessment, we rate The Knotty Ones “Good” overall.
Environmental Policies
When it comes to the environment, The Knotty Ones is off to a good start. They use lower-impact materials, including organic cotton. This is a positive step as organic cotton is grown without the use of harmful pesticides and chemicals. However, there is no evidence to suggest that the brand is taking meaningful action to reduce water use. Water is a precious resource, and it is essential for brands to prioritize water conservation in their production processes.
On the positive side, The Knotty Ones avoids plastic packaging. Plastic is a major contributor to pollution and has a devastating impact on marine life. By opting for alternative packaging materials, The Knotty Ones is reducing its carbon footprint and actively contributing to a cleaner planet.
Additionally, The Knotty Ones uses low-waste cutting techniques to maximize fabric use. This is an important practice as it minimizes fabric waste and reduces the environmental impact of the brand’s production process. By utilizing their materials efficiently, The Knotty Ones is demonstrating their commitment to sustainability.
Workers’ Rights
The Knotty Ones understands the importance of workers’ rights and has taken steps to ensure fair and ethical treatment throughout their supply chain. Their final production stage takes place in Lithuania, which is classified as a medium risk country for labor abuse. While this may raise some concerns, it is positive that The Knotty Ones visits its suppliers to ensure compliance with fair labor practices.
The brand also claims to ensure payment of a living wage in its supply chain. However, it is worth noting that they do not define what constitutes a living wage. It is crucial for brands to provide a clear definition and to work towards providing fair wages that meet the basic needs of their workers. Notwithstanding, the fact that The Knotty Ones traces most of its supply chain is commendable. Transparency is key in ensuring workers’ rights are protected.
Animal Welfare
While not the primary focus of The Knotty Ones, the brand still demonstrates responsible practices when it comes to animal welfare. There is no evidence to suggest that they have an animal welfare policy in place. However, they do use exotic animal hair in some of their products. It is important for brands to prioritize animal welfare and ensure that the materials they use are sourced ethically.
On a positive note, The Knotty Ones does source some of its wool from suppliers certified by the Responsible Wool Standard. This certification ensures that the sheep providing the wool are treated humanely and that the environmental impact of wool production is minimized. Furthermore, the brand does not appear to use leather, down, fur, angora, or exotic animal skin, which is a step in the right direction.
Overall Assessment
Based on the information available, we rate The Knotty Ones “Good” overall. While there is room for improvement in certain areas, such as water conservation and the definition of a living wage, the brand demonstrates a commitment to sustainability in their environmental policies, workers’ rights, and animal welfare practices. By continuing to prioritize these aspects and making further improvements, The Knotty Ones can strengthen their position as a sustainable and ethical brand in the fashion industry.
