Yes Friends
Our Rating: 5 Stars - Great
Price: $ $ $ $
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Official brand website: Visit
Is Yes Friends Sustainable? Exploring Their Commitment to Eco-Friendly Practices
Yes Friends is one of the leading brands globally, celebrated for its unwavering commitment to sustainability. With a remarkable ‘great’ environment rating, the brand has made its mark by prioritizing eco-friendly materials and actively reducing its climate impact.
Here, we delve into the key sustainability initiatives of Yes Friends, emphasizing its extensive use of Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) cotton. GOTS certification assures consumers that the cotton employed by the brand is cultivated organically, free from harmful pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, contributing to the well-being of the environment and the cotton cultivators.
Company History
Meet Sam, a co-founder of Yes Friends, who embarked on an inspiring journey over a decade ago. Sam’s awakening to ethical fashion led to the establishment of a sustainable boutique in a Bristol shipping container, driven by the mission to make ethical clothing accessible to all.
Facing the affordability challenge, Sam reevaluated the notion that sustainable and ethical fashion must be costly. After a pivotal interview in 2020, the seeds for Yes Friends were sown.
With a dedicated team in place by January 2021, the brand unveiled a groundbreaking £7.99 sustainable T-shirt in April of the same year, selling over 4,000 shirts and earning a “Great” rating from Good On You.
Sam’s vision of an inclusive and affordable ethical fashion brand continues to evolve, with the active involvement of the Yes Friends community in shaping the brand’s offerings.
Harnessing Renewable Energy for a Greener Tomorrow
Yes Friends also stands out for its focus on utilizing renewable energy throughout its supply chain. By embracing renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, the brand successfully minimizes its reliance on fossil fuels and subsequently reduces its carbon footprint.
Their partner factories predominantly rely on solar energy, effectively minimizing CO2 emissions during production. In particular, the primary facility in India derives 50-60% of its power from solar sources, with the remainder originating from clean-burning natural gas.
Moreover, the presence of a substantial battery system ensures uninterrupted operations, reducing dependency on environmentally harmful diesel generators during power outages.
Promoting Sustainable Production Practices
When it comes to production, Yes Friends remains unwavering in its dedication to limiting the use of chemicals, water, and wastewater. The brand’s preference for eco-friendly materials significantly reduces the need for harmful chemicals, commonly used in conventional manufacturing processes.
This not only safeguards the environment but also ensures the safety of garment workers, simultaneously preventing water pollution. By concentrating on sustainable production practices, Yes Friends underscores its dedication to minimizing its ecological footprint.
Championing Fair Labor Practices
Yes Friends proudly holds a ‘great’ labor practices rating, endorsed by Fairtrade International – Small Producers Organizations. This certification guarantees that the workers engaged in producing Yes Friends’ products receive fair wages and operate in secure working conditions.
Yes Friends implements a groundbreaking bonus system to ensure that garment workers receive substantial wages. Specifically, for Yes Friends products, workers receive an extra bonus, ensuring they are compensated generously for their contributions.
Surprisingly, adding as little as 10p to the cost of a T-shirt can increase workers’ earnings by up to 50%, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to fair compensation. As Yes Friends expands, its ability to improve workers’ livelihoods and promote ethical practices grows, highlighting its dedication to creating a positive impact in the industry.
Transparency and Accountability Across the Supply Chain
Yes Friends is resolute in ensuring transparency and traceability throughout its supply chain. By meticulously tracing its entire supply chain, the brand can promptly identify and address potential labor or environmental concerns.
This unwavering dedication to transparency not only allows Yes Friends to take full responsibility for its actions but also fosters trust and accountability among all its stakeholders.
Committed to Animal Welfare
Yes Friends maintains an exemplary ‘great’ animal rating and is proudly listed as vegan by PETA. This designation assures consumers that none of the brand’s products are derived from animals or involve animal testing, firmly aligning with Yes Friends’ core values of sustainability and ethics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes Friends is dedicated to making ethical and sustainable fashion accessible to all by prioritizing eco-friendly materials, reducing its climate impact, and promoting fair labor practices.
Yes Friends extensively uses Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) cotton in its products. GOTS certification ensures that the cotton is grown organically without harmful pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.
Yes Friends was founded by Sam, who embarked on a journey to create an affordable ethical fashion brand after realizing the importance of ethical clothing. This journey began over a decade ago and led to the brand’s establishment.
Yes Friends focuses on utilizing renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, across its supply chain. Their partner factories primarily rely on solar energy, significantly reducing CO2 emissions during production.
Yes Friends is dedicated to limiting the use of chemicals, water, and wastewater in its production processes, aligning with its preference for eco-friendly materials.
Yes Friends holds a ‘great’ labor practices rating, ensuring workers receive fair wages and operate in secure working conditions. The brand also implements a bonus system to enhance workers’ earnings.
Yes Friends meticulously traces its entire supply chain to promptly identify and address potential labor or environmental concerns, fostering trust and accountability among stakeholders.
Yes Friends maintains an exemplary ‘great’ animal rating and is proudly listed as vegan by PETA. This signifies that none of the brand’s products are derived from animals or involve animal testing.
In Conclusion: Setting New Benchmarks in Sustainable Fashion
Yes Friends emerges as a trailblazer in the realm of sustainable fashion. With ‘great’ ratings in environmental, labor, and animal practices, the brand epitomizes the gold standard for others to emulate.
By implementing eco-friendly materials, embracing renewable energy, and adopting fair labor practices, Yes Friends demonstrates a holistic approach to sustainability. Its transparency and accountability measures further enhance its standing as a credible and sustainable brand.
Supporting Yes Friends means contributing positively to both the planet and the well-being of its inhabitants. Whether you are an eco-conscious consumer or a fashion enthusiast, Yes Friends offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact
