Thursday, November 21, 2024
-Advertisement-

A lifestyle blog for the pickleball community

Clean clothes, dirty secrets? Sustainable clothing brands for the conscious Pickleballer

Date:

Share post:

We all know the mantra: buy less, wear more. It seems like a simple solution to the environmental impact of clothing production. After all, the longer a garment lasts, the less strain we put on the planet, right?

As an Amazon Associate I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

Sustainable clothing brands – Use Phase of Clothing

Well, it’s not quite that straightforward. While production does have a significant impact, a surprising culprit emerges when we delve deeper – the use phase of clothing. 

Shockingly, studies show that washing, drying, and ironing can contribute to over 23% of a garment’s total carbon footprint!

sustainable clothing brands pie chart by Happy People Pickleball showing the 7 stages cycle of apparel industry impact on climate
According to EcoChain, The following results illustrate the greenhouse gas emissions for seven different cycle stages in the life of garments. While 23% comes from Use Phase, more than 50% of emissions come from three stages: Dyeing & Finishing, Yarn preparation and Fiber production 

Imagine the irony! all that effort to keep our clothes looking fresh could be negated by the very act of cleaning them. 

sustainable clothing brands women washing clothes

So, could the answer be to simply stop washing our clothes altogether? Of course not, but it does highlight the need for a more nuanced approach to sustainable fashion.

While common sense suggests the more we wear a garment, the lower its environmental impact, there’s a surprising twist. 

Think about sustainable clothing brands

Think about it: all that energy and water used to keep our clothes clean can have a significant environmental cost. 

Sustainable clothing brands – the irony

Ironically, never washing a garment could potentially save a quarter of its carbon footprint – though that’s not exactly a practical solution! This highlights the importance of considering the entire lifecycle of clothing, from production to use and ultimately, disposal.

Best Sustainable Clothing Brands

An example of one of the best sustainable clothing brands is Patagonia.

sustainable clothing brands Patagonia Logo

One of Patagonia’s bold moves toward becoming a sustainable clothing brands is to rethink their company swag.

While the environmental impact of clothing isn’t solely dependent on how long it’s worn, Patagonia’s decision to stop producing company logo apparel tackles a crucial issue – the sheer volume of clothing being produced.

Sustainable clothing brands – 12.8 million tons of clothing ends up in landfills

Each year, a staggering 12.8 million tons end up in landfills, with global textile waste exceeding 12 kg per person.

Company swag often falls into this category of unnecessary production. Studies show low employee interest in logo-emblazoned clothing, and many prefer garments they genuinely like.

Furthermore, nearly half the environmental impact of apparel occurs during yarn preparation and chemical treatment – a life cycle stage entirely eliminated when clothing isn’t made.

Patagonia’s clothing sustainable move

Patagonia’s move aligns perfectly with the reduce principle of the Circular Economy, encouraging less consumption and ultimately, less production. By eliminating unnecessary clothing production, Patagonia takes a proactive step towards a more sustainable future for the apparel industry.

Happy People Pickleball commitment to serve up sustainable style

pickleball crop top

The Pickleball Crop Top

Rule the Court in Comfort!

This sustainable women’s clothing Pickleball Crop Tee by Happy People Pickleball has a flattering cropped fit, breathable light fabric, and shows off your passion for the game!

Unlike traditional clothing production that often involves excess inventory and resource-intensive processes, Happy People Pickleball embraces a different approach, the direct-to-garment (DTG) printing.

Here’s how DTG printing allows Happy People Pickleball to champion both style and sustainability.

Reduced Waste

With DTG printing, the design is printed directly onto the garment, eliminating the need for pre-printed fabrics and minimizing leftover materials. This helps combat the issue of textile waste, a major problem in the apparel industry.

Pickelball Visor with Blue Embroidery

Embrace the warmth of the sun and the camaraderie of the court with this Happy People Pickleball Visor.

Crafted with comfort and community in mind, this visor is a symbol of friendship, fun, and the joy of playing pickleball.

Print on Demand

Happy People Pickleball utilizes a print-on-demand (POD) model. This means garments are printed only when an order is placed, rather than producing large quantities upfront. This reduces the risk of excess stock ending up in landfills and allows for more flexibility in design offerings.

Large Argyle Tote Bag by Happy People Picklebal

Add timeless style to your carryall with the Pickleball Argyle Tote Bag!

Crafted with a touch of classic flair, the Argyle Tote Bag is the perfect blend of functionality and timeless design. This versatile bag is ideal for pickleball enthusiasts, everyday errands, or weekend getaways.

Eco-Friendly Inks

Happy People Pickleball prioritizes using water-based inks in the DTG process. These inks are generally less harmful to the environment compared to traditional solvent-based inks used in some printing techniques.

By leveraging DTG printing and a Print On Demand model, Happy People Pickleball offers unique, sustainable clothing options for the pickleball community. 

It’s a win-win for style-conscious players and the planet!

At Happy People Pickleball, we’re all about celebrating the joy of the game while keeping our impact on the planet light. That’s why we champion the “Reduce, Reuse, Rethink” philosophy – the heart of a circular economy.

Reduce comes first! By choosing well-made, versatile clothing and opting for high-quality pickleball equipment, you can minimize the need to constantly buy new things. Think of it as playing a smarter game, both on and off the court!

Pickleball makes me happy Tumbler, 20 oz

Hydrate with this bright and cheerful Pickleball Makes Me Happy Tumbler, 20 oz. by Happy People Pickleball

These custom 20oz tumblers feature a double-wall, stainless steel construction for high-end insulation and durability.

Other top sustainable clothing brands topping the list according to Oprah Daily 

  • Girlfriend Collective – uses recycled and recyclable materials to create activewear such as leggings and sports bras. Shop Girlfriend collective here.
  • Reformation – Shop reformation on Amazon here
  • Amazon Aware

Shop Amazon Aware here: Amazon Aware

  • Eileen Fisher

Happy People Pickleball is committed to serving aces for the environment through sustainable clothing brands

By embracing direct-to-garment printing, a print-on-demand model, and prioritizing eco-friendly materials, we offer sustainable style for the pickleball community. 

So, join us in this winning play – look good, feel good, and do good for the planet, all while enjoying the sport we love!

Read more about Happy People Pickleball sustainable clothing brands efforts here

Article Resources:

[1] Textiles – Material-Specific Data: https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/textiles-material-specific-data
[2] A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning Fashion’s Future: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/a-new-textiles-economy
[3] https://mail.ecochain.com/hubfs/Whitepapers/Apparel-Whitepaper.pdf
[4] Oprah Daily


Join My Newsletter! Subscribe here.

Happy People Pickleball

Happy People Pickleball is a Pickleball and lifestyle trends blog.
Follow us for ideas and trends in Pickleball clothes, beauty, jewelry, parties, gifting, equipment, fitness, health & wellness, and travel.


Brigette is the creator of Happy People Pickleball blog and store.

After a successful professional decade in a sales and marketing career, Brigette transitioned into the role of a dedicated stay-at-home mom and a passionate community volunteer, supporting local educational foundations and non-profit organizations for the benefit of children and the community.

You can mostly catch Brigette driving her kids to school or walking her Boston Terrier, CC and always trying to play her next game of Pickleball. Connect with her on Facebook and Pinterest!


Like this article? Leave a google review here!

Related articles

Looking for the Perfect Pickleball Outfit? Your Guide to Pickleball Fashion!

Pickleball fashion is a dynamic fusion of functionality and style, reflecting the sport's culture and individual player preferences. It encompasses performance-driven apparel and accessories from trending luxury and fashion brands, blending practicality with elegance to create winning looks on and off the court.

What do you wear to pickleball at a country club?

When playing pickleball at a country club, it's essential to balance the upscale ambiance of the club with balance, comfort and functionality on the court. 

Stay Cool, Stay Focused: A Racerback Tank Top Is Essential Pickleball Gear

Racerback sports bras, staple in both activewear and casual wear, are lauded for their practical, comfortable design that allows freedom of movement, making them perfect for sports like pickleball. These garments feature a T or Y-shaped strap configuration at the back and are made from breathable fabrics. They come in various colors and fabrics, offering both support and style—versatile enough for workouts or layering with everyday outfits. Their design also includes options with convertible straps, enhancing their adaptability.

Essential guide on how to clean white sneakers

How to Get your pickleball sneakers Squeaky Clean Again. Products and steps to get your sneakers back in action.