Thought
Our Rating: 3 Stars - It's a start
Price: $ $ $ $
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Official brand website: Visit
Thought is a brand that is committed to sustainability and making a positive impact on the environment. They have a good environment rating, which means that they are conscious of their carbon footprint and take steps to reduce it. One of the ways they do this is by using a medium proportion of eco-friendly materials, including organic cotton.
Using eco-friendly materials is important because it limits the amount of chemicals, water, and wastewater used in production. By choosing organic cotton, Thought is supporting more sustainable farming practices and reducing the harmful impact of conventional cotton farming on the environment.
In addition to using eco-friendly materials, Thought also takes steps to reduce its climate impact. One way they do this is by using sea freight for shipping their products. Sea freight has a lower carbon footprint compared to air freight, which helps to minimize their impact on the environment.
Thought also takes measures to minimize textile waste. They reuse most of their offcuts, which are small pieces of fabric leftover from production, to create new products or repurpose them in some way. By doing this, they are able to reduce the amount of textile waste that goes to landfill.
When it comes to labor practices, Thought has a Code of Conduct that covers all of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Four Fundamental Freedoms principles. These principles ensure that workers have the right to freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of forced or compulsory labor, and the abolition of child labor.
One area where Thought could improve is in disclosing where their final stage of production occurs. Currently, they do not provide this information, which makes it difficult for consumers to know if their products are being made under fair and ethical conditions. It is also unclear whether Thought ensures payment of a living wage in their supply chain, which is an important aspect of fair labor practices.
However, it is worth noting that Thought does visit its suppliers, although the frequency of these visits is not specified. This is a positive step as it shows that they are actively engaged in monitoring and assessing the working conditions in their supply chain.
When it comes to animal welfare, Thought’s rating is ‘not good enough’. While they have a formal animal welfare policy that aligns with the Five Freedoms, which are internationally recognized standards for animal welfare, there are no clear mechanisms in place for implementing this policy.
Thought uses wool, leather, and down in some of their products. While these materials may have their own sustainability advantages, such as being biodegradable and long-lasting, it is important for the brand to ensure that these materials are sourced from ethical and responsible suppliers that prioritize animal welfare.
On a positive note, Thought does not use fur, exotic animal skin, exotic animal hair, or angora in their products. By avoiding these materials, they are taking a stand against the unethical and cruel practices that are often associated with their production.
In summary, Thought is a brand that is making progress towards sustainability, but there is still room for improvement. Their commitment to using eco-friendly materials and reducing their climate impact is commendable. However, they need to be more transparent about their supply chain and ensure that they are upholding fair labor practices and animal welfare standards. With continued effort and improvement, Thought has the potential to become a leader in sustainable fashion.
