Is Everlane ethical?

In 2010, Everlane, a global fashion brand, declared itself to be the go to “ethical” clothing brand. Personally, when I think of Everlane, I too, think of it as the go to sustainable brand. Their marketing campaigns show diverse models, locations of their factories, and the production and cost markup of each item - trying to show transparency in their supply chain. The clothing is also fashionable, it is timeless, minimalistic and trendy. So why when I look up Everlane’s rating on sustainability shows up as a 2, not good enough? While Everlane does take into account interesting sustainability measures, it also has some issues.

Everlane

Positives

Everlane is one of the few fashion brands that is relatively affordable compared to other ethical brands. This makes ethical fashion more accessible and their quality is good which is important as well. 

The company also plans to replace all synthetic materials with renewed alternatives to eliminate single-use plastic by 2021.

Up until 2020, 100% of Everlane’s Black Friday profits were donated to environmental initiatives and in 2020, they donated $10 per Black Friday order to Feeding America.

The Everlane denim factory recycles 98% of water, uses alternative energy and repurposes its byproducts. 

Everlane also recently released a fully recyclable sneaker and you send the shoes back when they’re worn out and Everlane will take care of recycling. 

Everlane

Negatives

Why is Everlane not good enough?

There is no evidence that Everland minimizes textile and water waste in their production process and no evidence it pays a living wage in its supply chain. Also, the company sources labor from countries at high risk of poor labor conditions and abuse. 

They have no third-party verification as a company, only some of their products are verified. 

It doesn’t use innovative, sustainable materials extensively and none of the factories are verified. 
Everlane even capped the number of customer service team hours so they did not need to provide health insurance and benefits. 

They also have been accused of union busting and treating their American employees in a shady manner.

It is interesting and unsettling to see the negative things that a radically transparent sustainable company is doing behind closed doors. It really makes you question what other “sustainable” businesses are truly sustainable or only partly.

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