5 Best Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Clothing Brands in the UK
The demand for eco-friendly clothing has grown into a movement within the fashion industry. Environmentally conscious individuals, environmental activists, and vegan fashion enthusiasts are increasingly turning to sustainable clothing brands.
What Does It Mean to Be an Eco-Friendly Clothing Brand?
An eco-friendly clothing brand focuses on producing fashion with minimal environmental impact throughout the product’s lifecycle. It is a subset of sustainable fashion that involves using organic, biodegradable, or recycled raw materials, avoiding harmful chemicals, and adopting practices that minimize environmental damage
Several criteria are used to assess the sustainability of these brands. This includes whether they use organic, recycled, or biodegradable fabrics in their garments and whether they incorporate toxic chemicals or microplastics in production. Their environmental impact is also evaluated—how they reduce their carbon footprint, minimize waste, and maintain transparency in their operations. Additionally, we examine the environmental certifications these brands hold.
Founded in 2003, Finisterre is a UK-based outdoor clothing brand created to meet the needs of hardy British surfers. The company produces clothing designed for life around the sea, using organic, recycled, and biodegradable fabrics like cotton, hemp, wool, and Tencel. Finisterre avoids synthetic fibers, instead opting for recycled polyester and regenerated materials. They maintain a responsible supply chain that prioritizes environmental care and use biodegradable packaging.
In addition to sourcing sustainable raw materials, they offer repair and reuse initiatives to extend the lifecycle of their products.
The brand utilizes renewable energy in its production facilities, manufactures garments locally to reduce transportation emissions, and employs low-impact dyes and efficient water management practices to minimize pollution.
Finisterre became the UK’s first outdoor clothing brand to achieve B Corp certification in 2018. B Corp certification recognizes businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability, ensuring a balance between profit and purpose.
As a progressive luxury brand, Stella McCartney strives to create the most beautiful and desirable products with minimal environmental impact. The company is committed to responsibility, honesty, and accountability while making a positive impact on the planet.
The brand prioritizes recycled fabrics, including regenerated nylon made from waste materials and ocean-recovered fishing nets, as well as recycled polyester sourced from plastic bottles. They also use sustainable raw materials like Mylo (mushroom leather) and MIRUM (a plastic-free leather alternative), alongside organic cotton and recycled polyester.
A 100% vegan brand, Stella McCartney is committed to reducing carbon emissions and achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. The company focuses on clean energy, logistics optimization, and supplier decarbonization. It also promotes resale programs to extend product usability and launched the Clean by Design program, which has reduced water usage in supplier factories by 54%.
The brand holds major certifications, including FSC certification for responsible wood-based material usage and Regenagri certification for regenerative cotton. It is also listed in the UNFCCC Fashion Charter, pledging to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Founded in 1991, People Tree is a pioneering fair-trade brand in the sustainable fashion industry, focusing on high-quality products with environmental and social responsibility. The brand integrates traditional craftsmanship with sustainability to create meaningful and impactful products.
People Tree primarily uses natural fibers and other environmentally preferred materials, such as organic cotton brushed velvet and Tencel lyocell. The company does not use leather, fur, or animal skin, opting instead for non-mulesed sheep wool.
People Tree operates using 50% renewable electricity in its production facilities and is consistently working to reduce its carbon footprint further. The brand maintains strict control over its supply chain, much of which is certified by the Fair Wear Foundation, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) for organic cotton, and the WFTO Guarantee System.
Seasalt Cornwall is a UK-based fashion brand that has been using organic cotton since 2005. It was the first fashion company to be certified by the Soil Association (GOTS), a globally recognized and trusted mark of organic certification.
The brand’s supply chain generates 94% lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to industry standards. Seasalt Cornwall avoids synthetic pesticides and fertilizers in raw material production. The company also emphasizes water conservation and soil health improvement.
Seasalt Cornwall has earned B Corp certification, joining the global movement of businesses committed to social and environmental responsibility. In 2019, the brand reduced plastic packaging, began mapping its carbon footprint, and set Science-Based Targets for Net Zero emissions by 2040.
As its name suggests, Ninety Percent shares 90% of its profits with charitable causes and garment workers. The brand demonstrates that fashion can be fair, circular, and carbon-conscious.
Beyond its social impact, Ninety Percent also contributes positively to the environment by primarily using sustainable fabrics like Tencel, organic cotton, and linen. They produce vegan-friendly clothing and utilize sustainable packaging.
The brand stands out for its transparency, sharing detailed information about production processes, factories, and material origins, making it a trusted name among conscious consumers. They collect old garments and recycle them to create new raw materials. Additionally, they employ a zero-liquid discharge system, ensuring that 100% of wastewater is recycled through advanced water treatment.
Ninety Percent also uses an eco-friendly dyeing process, consuming only 50,000 liters of water per ton of fabric, compared to the industry standard of 200,000 liters per ton. Their heat recovery system further reduces environmental impact.
The brand holds OEKO-TEX certification, which ensures that its textiles are free from harmful substances and safe for human use. Another major advantage is its commitment to full traceability, making information about factory practices, material origins, and environmental impact data publicly available.
These are some of the best eco-friendly and sustainable clothing brands in the UK. They are pioneers in creating greener wardrobes, proving that fashion and sustainability can go hand in hand. Incorporating these brands into our daily lives helps promote more ethical and environmentally friendly choices. The rise of such brands is a positive step toward a more sustainable future.
