Sustainable fashion matters—here's why
We need a healthy planet to thrive—it's as simple as that. At Cubbie & Co., our commitment to sustainability grows from our vision of a world where bears celebrate who they are, both today and tomorrow.
The fashion industry's impact on the planet
The fashion industry's environmental impact is staggering. Clothing production contributes more than 10% of global carbon emissions—that's more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. Textile dyeing is responsible for 20% of water pollution worldwide, while synthetic fabrics release 500,000 tonnes of microfibres into our oceans annually. Fast fashion has accelerated these problems, with production doubling since 2000 while clothing use has halved, resulting in one garbage truck of textiles burned or dumped every second.
Choosing partners who care
As a small business, meaningful change comes from supporting those already making a difference. We carefully select suppliers who share our environmental values.
Our t-shirt suppliers manage everything from growing the cotton to producing the final garment. Cultivating organic cotton means avoiding harmful chemicals so that water can return safely to nature. Their facilities also operate Effluent Treatment Plants to treat wastewater used in the dyeing process before release.
While our suppliers are making progress on workers' welfare and wages, there's room for improvement. We're continuing to monitor their commitments in these areas, because sustainable fashion isn't just about protecting the environment—it's about making sure everyone involved can thrive. Where possible, we verify all environmental and labour commitments through industry and government schemes.
Our approach to production and aftercare
We use natural fabrics in our garments to reduce microplastic pollution in our oceans, while our printing partners use water-based, vegan inks and efficient water practices.
Where fast fashion brands produce dozens of collections yearly, Cubbie & Co. will only ever release collections tied to meaningful moments in our community—Pride, Bear Events, and the Holidays—reducing unnecessary production and making sure each piece has meaning and matters.
We're committed to keeping our clothes out of landfills. We're developing comprehensive care guides to help your garments last longer, and when it's time to say goodbye to a well-loved piece, we'll help you find a recycling programme, so your tee finds a new life instead of adding to textile waste.
Looking forward
We're new to this journey and learning as we go. While we won't get everything right, we believe in supporting ethical suppliers and raising awareness about sustainable fashion. Because when we protect our planet, we protect our community's future. That's what being part of the brotherhood of bears means—caring for each other and the home we share.
References
Better Cotton (2018). Home - Better Cotton Initiative. [online] Better Cotton Initiative. Available at: https://bettercotton.org [Accessed 15 Oct. 2024].
Cobbing, M. and Vicaire, Y. (n.d.). Timeout for fast fashion. [online] Available at: https://storage.googleapis.com/planet4-international-stateless/2018/01/6c356f9a-fact-sheet-timeout-for-fast-fashion.pdf [Accessed 15 Oct. 2024].
Drew, D. and Yehounme, G. (2017). The apparel industry’s environmental impact in 6 graphics. World Resources Institute. [online] Available at: https://www.wri.org/insights/apparel-industrys-environmental-impact-6-graphics [Accessed 15 Oct. 2024].
Kaye, L. (2013). Clothing to dye for: the textile sector must confront water risks. [online] the Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/dyeing-textile-sector-water-risks-adidas [Accessed 15 Oct. 2024].
McFall-Johnsen, M. (2019). The fashion industry emits more carbon than international flights and maritime shipping combined. Here are the biggest ways it impacts the planet. [online] Business Insider. Available at: https://www.businessinsider.com/fast-fashion-environmental-impact-pollution-emissions-waste-water-2019-10#a-lot-of-this-clothing-ends-up-in-the-dump-the-equivalent-of-one-garbage-truck-full-of-clothes-is-burned-or-dumped-in-a-landfill-every-second-5 [Accessed Oct. 2024].
Reichart, E. and Drew, D. (2019). By the Numbers: The Economic, Social and Environmental Impacts of ‘Fast Fashion’. World Resources Institute. [online] Available at: https://www.wri.org/insights/numbers-economic-social-and-environmental-impacts-fast-fashion [Accessed 15 Oct. 2024].
Remy, N., Speelman, E. and Swartz, S. (2016). Style that’s sustainable: A new fast-fashion formula | McKinsey. [online] www.mckinsey.com. Available at: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/sustainability/our-insights/style-thats-sustainable-a-new-fast-fashion-formula#/ [Accessed 15 Oct. 2024].
Šajn, N. (2019). Environmental impact of the textile and clothing industry What consumers need to know. [online] European Parliamentary Research Service, pp.1–10. Available at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2019/633143/EPRS_BRI(2019)633143_EN.pdf [Accessed 15 Oct. 2024].
UNECE (2018). Fashion and the SDGs: what role for the UN? The fashion industry in numbers. [online] UNECE. Available at: https://unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/RCM_Website/RFSD_2018_Side_event_sustainable_fashion.pdf [Accessed 15 Oct. 2024].
UNEP (2021). Putting the Brakes on Fast Fashion. [online] UN Environment. Available at: https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/putting-brakes-fast-fashion [Accessed 15 Oct. 2024].
Yardley, J. (2013). Bangladesh Pollution, Told in Colors and Smells. The New York Times. [online] 15 Jul. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/15/world/asia/bangladesh-pollution-told-in-colors-and-smells.html [Accessed 15 Oct. 2024].
