SUSTAINABILITY
We live in and love our jeans, but denim is a dirty business. A pair of jeans contaminates the same amount of water as one person drinks in 13 years, approximately 8000 liters. So, how do we break the cycle and begin to repair the damage done? Providing a one-time gimmick like an “eco jean” or a one-off capsule collection wasn’t good enough. We wanted to pursue sustainability in a sustainable way.
MATERIALS
The bulk of our production uses organic cotton which is RCS certified. The Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) is a global guideline promoting the widespread use of recycled materials through third-party verification and supply chain traceability.
The RCS Objectives:
- Establish consistent definitions of recycled materials across different applications.
- Track and trace recycled input materials.
- Equip consumers (brands and end consumers) with a decision-making tool for informed choices.
- Ensure that materials are genuinely recycled and present in the final product.
To reduce production waste, all excess denim floor scraps (what is left after cutting) are sent to recycling facilities to be reclaimed and reused.
OZONE TECHNOLOGY
A powerful bleaching agent that is created from oxygen, works quickly and requires fewer rinses compared to other bleaching methods. The technology is used at the start of the production process to de-size the fabric and remove any residue before being weaved. We also use it to give our jeans one last wash before they head out to you. Any remaining ozone is converted into oxygen and released back into the atmosphere.
NEBULIZATION
Nebulization is used to create an array of different wash variations that you see in our collections. The process of nebulization is done with minimal water, chemicals, and does not rely on traditional stone washing. Traditional stone washing processes consist of pumice(stone) break down, creating a sludge that makes the water unrecyclable.
EIM SCORE
We provide an EIM score for every sustainability-washed garment. The average EIM score for our products is 27.
Environmental Impact Measuring (EIM) software is a transparent and dependable tool that provides clear metrics for identifying high-impact areas and creating effective action plans to improve garment finishing processes. EIM is measured by environmental impact in four different categories: water and energy needs, chemical impact, and worker impact.
WATER USAGE
Through embracing innovative technology and moving away from traditional approaches, our sustainable denim line has achieved a remarkable 80% reduction in water usage compared to conventionally washed denim. This achievement is attributed to a combination of ozone washing, laser finishing, and a water recycling unit with a capacity to recycle 60% of the water used.
LASER FINISHING
A technology used to give that authentic finishing effect we all love and crave from our new and vintage denim alike. This includes unique hand sands to worn out whiskers and effortless ripple effects. The process allows our designer’s sketch to be transferred directly onto the jean using a laser. Cutting the manual process that uses toxic chemicals like bleach and potassium permanganate—ensuring reduced environmental impact and worker safety.
100% RECYCLABLE MAILING BAGS
Our mailing bags are now made with 100% recycled content, 50% post-consumer content. In fact, you can now use them for any returns, peeling off the 2nd sticker to re-seal the package and send the goods back to us.
Compared to the same mailer made with virgin petroleum plastic, this recycled mailer saves:
0.075 lbs. of crude oil
0.109 lbs. of CO2 equivalent
0.0028 mBTUs of electricity
Recycled content sourced in the USA
Source: EcoEnclosed