If you thought Gen Zers were the ultimate cheerleaders for the environment, just wait until members of Gen Alpha, children born after 2010, find their voice in the fight against climate change and planet-polluting waste.
A 2019 survey by global communication agency Hotwire shows taking care of the environment ranks high among the generation. Recycling is said to be important to 38 percent of Gen Alpha versus just 22 percent of millennials and Baby Boomers.
With topics like recycling, climate change and renewable energy now part of the public schools curriculum at an early stage, children are more aware of their environmental impact than ever before. And they’re learning that their shopping habits have an effect on the world.
Fortunately, sustainable denim for kids exists, and garments vary in price and style. From affordable H&M jeans to luxury Stella McCartney denim jackets, sustainable denim is available to anyone who wants to make an educated purchase. Here’s a look at how kids can go green this Earth Day in cool denim.
DL1961 Manning Jacket
Premium denim brand DL1961 uses organic cotton and Lenzing fibers derived from a renewable wood source. The brand also monitors the water, energy and resources used to produce each garment using sophisticated measuring software to ensure its footprint is as minimal as possible.
Levi’s Big Girls 7-16 Cropped Wide Leg Jeans
When the Levi’s design team developed its “WaterLess” process for responsibly producing denim, the company shared its innovation with others in the industry. To date, it has saved or recycled more than 8 billion liters of water. By 2021, the brand aims to use this process for 80 percent of its products.
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H&M Skinny Fit Biker Jeans
Just because a fashion brand is affordable doesn’t mean it’s irresponsibly produced. H&M has earned recognition for its sustainability efforts, including a spot on the 2013-2019 Dow Jones Sustainability Index, the FTSE4Good Index Series and more. The brand provides transparency into its suppliers and factories on each of its product pages, and has a garment-collection program to promote circularity.
Pepe Jeans Denim Light Wash Monia Zip Skirt
Pepe Jeans, a U.K-based denim brand for women, men, and juniors, has its own responsible innovation program called Tru-Blu. Part of the process includes Wiser Wash technology which doesn’t use any toxic chemicals or produce water waste.
Tea Collection Chambray Easy Shirt
Tea Collection is a fashion brand built on an ethical foundation that celebrates different cultures—and it got its name from a beverage that democratized the world. The company gives 10 percent of its profits to philanthropic programs around the globe, and works with reputable factories throughout Peru, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Bulgaria and China.
Mini Rodini Black Leopard Jeans
Made with organic cotton and zero harsh chemicals, Mini Rodini jeans are responsibly produced with children in mind. The brand also pays living wages to workers at its factories in India and publishes sustainability reports on its site annually.
Stella McCartney Stars Denim Jacket
One of the first “vegetarian” fashion brands, Stella McCartney forged a path for sustainable design. The brand uses ethically sourced materials and maintains a number of environmental certifications. In 2016, it began publishing its Environmental Profit and Loss (EP&L) report, which provides transparency into its entire supply chain.
Bobo Choses Mercury Slim Denim Pants
Bobo Choses uses sustainable materials such as organic cotton and recycled polyester in its collections. It also keeps a short supply chain, with 93 percent of its production executed locally in countries like Spain, where it’s based, and Portugal.
Gap Kids Easy Taper Jeans
Gap’s WashWell technology uses 20 percent less water than conventional washing methods. Since its invention in 2016, it has saved 289 million liters of water. The brand also responsibly sources its materials and empowers employees through its Personal Advancement and Career Enhancement (P.A.C.E) Program.
G-Star Raw 3301 Shirt
G-Star Raw has an entire section of its site devoted to educating consumers on its sustainable practices. Within one section, it shows an interactive map of suppliers, complete with an employee gender breakdown and photos of the facilities. The brand remains committed to sustainability, holding some of the highest possible certifications.
