A bluesign® approved product consists of at least 90% bluesign® approved textiles and/or 30% bluesign approved accessories. The aim of the bluesign® system is responsible use of resources, clean processes with controlled air and water emissions, safe processes for the workers and safe products for consumers. Bluesign® is an independent third party and sets out strict criteria for manufacturers and brands to follow to be certified bluesign. By buying bluesign®, you are guaranteed a product that has been made with the least harmful substances possible.

Find out more here: https://www.bluesign.com/en

Sometimes using animal products can be a more sustainable alternative than using non-biodegradable plastic, but it is imperative that an animal’s welfare is respected. The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) was started by The North Face, Textile Exchange, Allied Feather Down and Control Union. RDS down cannot come from farms that engage in force feeding or live plucking and they must respect the Five Freedoms of animal welfare: freedom from hunger and thirst; from discomfort; from pain, injury or disease; to express normal behaviour; and from fear and distress. Parent farm (the farm where the birds are kept for producing eggs) certification is optional unless the down is harvested there. RDS down is traceable back to source via Track My Down.

Products using natural fibres can range from cotton to wool to hemp and silk - but by being naturally made, they will also naturally biodegrade at their end of lifecycle. Even if you have a natural fibre product, it can probably still be recycled or repurposed before being disposed of. However, if it truly has reached the end of its use, natural fibres need air to biodegrade so please don't dispose of them in landfill.

By recycling fabrics, we are not only stopping extra waste heading to landfill but also reducing the need for virgin fabrics to be created. Recycled fabrics can be anything from recycled polyester to recycled cotton and where recycled cotton is used, it's often offcuts from factory floors that would otherwise end up in landfill.

Merino wool is a high-performing natural fibre that will biodegrade at the end of its lifecycle, however, sheep can often be subjected to inhumane practices like mulesing if unmonitored. ZQ is the most widely established merino wool certification standard, and follows five principles: the best animal welfare, environmental integrity, social responsibility, fibre quality and traceability standards. Sheep must graze free range, be given their Five Freedoms (freedom from hunger and thirst; from discomfort; from pain, injury or disease; to express normal behaviour; and from fear and distress) and are not subject to mulesing. Note that not all responsibly sourced merino will be ZQ certified.

Find out more about ZQ here: https://www.discoverzq.com/.

Fluorinated DWR finishes make clothing waterproof by repelling water droplets. ‘PFCs’ is the broad term for all fluorocarbon chemicals, of which PFOS and PFOA are sub-groups. Different chemicals in this family have a varying number of carbon atoms, so C6 has six carbon atoms and C8 has eight. While the outdoor industry has moved away from C8 (or 'long chain') PFCs, C6 (short chain) PFCs are currently unbeatable in their waterproofing performance. They're considered less harmful to the environment than C8, but they have not been proven to be safe. PFCs are known as forever chemicals; once created they will never break down and are harmful to people and the planet. To read more about the chemistry related to PFCs, head here.

PFC-Free DWR uses alternative, biodegradable technologies that repels water from the surface of a fabric - such as Fjallraven's Greenland Wax. PFC-Free DWR coatings are water resistant enough for most daily activities, so if you don’t need a highly technical waterproof, consider a PFC-Free garment instead.

This brand partners with the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF). The FWF is a clothing industry specific, non-profit organization that ensures sustainable, fair and safe labour conditions in factories. They work directly with brands, factories, trade unions, NGOs and governments to establish a living wage and a working environment that’s free from gender-based violence, discrimination and harassment. There is emphasis on a brand’s business practices and how this can make direct sustainable change, alongside factory audits and worker interviews.

Find out more about Fair Wear Foundation here: https://www.fairwear.org/.

Sourcing down or synthetic insulation from post-consumer products makes a very easy solution to the ethical question around virgin down and stops synthetic fibres (aka plastic) from entering landfill. Don’t worry about where it’s been – all recycled down and synthetic insulation is cleaned before being reused in a new product! Buying recycled insulation helps reduce the environmental impact of a new product.

This item is Fair Trade certified. Fair Trade directly improve the lives of the people who make the product you buy. Members of Fair Trade, i.e. the people who grow the coffee beans or make the product, are part of a co-operative. Not only is there a minimum fair price paid for their product, but there’s also an additional premium paid by the brand which the co-operative decides how to spend within their community. It might go towards a well for clean drinking water, better farming equipment or a community school. Fair Trade are strict on their compliance and certification, so you can be safe in the knowledge that a Fair Trade product is from a sustainable, properly paid supply chain.

Find out more about Fair Trade here: https://www.fairtrade.net/.