A semi-synthetic, cellulose material made with spun filaments of cellulose taken from wood pulp and treated with acetic acid and other agents.

A synthetic material originally developed by the DuPont Corporation in the 1940s. Made from a synthetic polymer called acrylonitrile. This type of fiber is produced by reacting certain petroleum or coal-based chemicals with a variety of monomers, which means that acrylic fabric is a fossil fuel-based fiber.

Cloth, yarn, or clothing made from the bamboo plant. It grows very quickly and can grown in a variety of climates so it is renewable and can be replenished at a fast rate.

A fiber or material that is capable of decomposing or disintegrating with a non-toxic bi-product.

BLUESIGN is a system that provides safer and more sustainable environments for people to work in and everyone to live in.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid discovered in 1940. It is one of 113 identified cannabinoids in cannabis plants and accounts for up to 40% of the plant's extract. As of 2019, clinical research on CBD included studies of anxiety, cognition, movement disorders, and pain, but there is still insufficient high-quality evidence that it is effective for these conditions. Cannabidiol can be taken into the body in multiple ways, including by inhalation of cannabis smoke or vapor, as an aerosol spray into the cheek, and by mouth. It may be supplied as CBD oil containing only CBD as the active ingredient (excluding tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] or terpenes), CBD-dominant hemp extract oil, capsules, dried cannabis, or prescription liquid solution. CBD does not have the same psychoactivity as THC, and may change the effects of THC on the body if both are present. As of 2018, the mechanism of action for its biological effects has not been determined. In the United States, the cannabidiol drug Epidiolex was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2018 for the treatment of two epilepsy disorders.Since cannabis is a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States, other CBD formulations remain illegal under federal law to prescribe for medical use or to use as an ingredient in dietary supplements or other foods.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid discovered in 1940. It is one of 113 identified cannabinoids in cannabis plants and accounts for up to 40% of the plant's extract. As of 2019, clinical research on CBD included studies of anxiety, cognition, movement disorders, and pain, but there is still insufficient high-quality evidence that it is effective for these conditions. Cannabidiol can be taken into the body in multiple ways, including by inhalation of cannabis smoke or vapor, as an aerosol spray into the cheek, and by mouth. It may be supplied as CBD oil containing only CBD as the active ingredient (excluding tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] or terpenes), CBD-dominant hemp extract oil, capsules, dried cannabis, or prescription liquid solution. CBD does not have the same psychoactivity as THC, and may change the effects of THC on the body if both are present. As of 2018, the mechanism of action for its biological effects has not been determined. In the United States, the cannabidiol drug Epidiolex was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2018 for the treatment of two epilepsy disorders.Since cannabis is a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States, other CBD formulations remain illegal under federal law to prescribe for medical use or to use as an ingredient in dietary supplements or other foods.

CE marking is a certification mark that indicates conformity with health, safety, and environmental protection standards for products sold within the European Economic Area (EEA). The CE marking is also found on products sold outside the EEA that have been manufactured to EEA standards. This makes the CE marking recognizable worldwide even to people who are not familiar with the European Economic Area. It is in that sense similar to the FCC Declaration of Conformity used on certain electronic devices sold in the United States. The CE marking is the manufacturer's declaration that the product meets EU standards for health, safety, and environmental protection.

CE marking is a certification mark that indicates conformity with health, safety, and environmental protection standards for products sold within the European Economic Area (EEA). The CE marking is also found on products sold outside the EEA that have been manufactured to EEA standards. This makes the CE marking recognizable worldwide even to people who are not familiar with the European Economic Area. It is in that sense similar to the FCC Declaration of Conformity used on certain electronic devices sold in the United States. The CE marking is the manufacturer's declaration that the product meets EU standards for health, safety, and environmental protection.

A complex carbohydrate that is the basic structural component of plant cells.

Certified B Corporations balance purpose and profit. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.

Certified B Corporations balance purpose and profit. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.

A diaphanous, translucent fabric that can be made from silk (natural) or polyester (synthetic).

A cellulose or plant based fiber that comes from the cotton plant. It requires 71% less water and 62% less energy to grow, and less pesticides and anti-microbial agents

Eudaimonia is a Greek word commonly translated as 'happiness' or 'welfare'; however, more accurate translations have been proposed to be 'human flourishing, prosperity' and 'blessedness'.  Eudaimonia refers to general wellness and well-being.

Fair Trade Certified™ goods support responsible companies, empower farmers, workers, and fishermen, and protect the environment.

A fluffy fabric made from polyester. New technologies allow it to be made from recycled polyester however, when washed, it releases the highest amount of micro-plastics.

The worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibers, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain.

A voluntary product standard for tracking and verifying the content of recycled materials in a final product.

The worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibers, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain.

Greenwashing, also called "green sheen", is a form of marketing spin in which green PR and green marketing are deceptively used to persuade the public that an organization's products, aims and policies are environmentally friendly and therefore ‘better’; appeal to nature.

A voluntary product standard for tracking and verifying the content of recycled materials in a final product.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is the UN body for assessing the science related to climate change. It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988 to provide policymakers with regular scientific assessments concerning climate change, its implications and potential future risks, and to put forward adaptation and mitigation strategies. It has 195 member states.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is the UN body for assessing the science related to climate change. It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988 to provide policymakers with regular scientific assessments concerning climate change, its implications and potential future risks, and to put forward adaptation and mitigation strategies. It has 195 member states.

Khadi (IAST: Khādī) is a hand-woven natural fiber cloth originating from eastern regions of the Indian subcontinent, mainly Eastern India, Northeastern India and Bangladesh, but is now broadly used throughout India and Pakistan. Khadi Clothes are usually woven from cotton however it may also include silk or wool, which are all spun into yarn on a spinning wheel called a charkha. It is a versatile fabric, cool in summer and warm in winter. In order to improve its looks, khādī/khaddar is sometimes starched to give it a stiffer feel. It is widely accepted in various fashion circles. Khadi is being promoted in India by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission and the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

Designing, constructing and operating buildings to maximize occupant health and productivity, use fewer resources, reduce waste and negative environmental impacts, and decrease life cycle costs.

Designing, constructing and operating buildings to maximize occupant health and productivity, use fewer resources, reduce waste and negative environmental impacts, and decrease life cycle costs.

A woven material made from the fibers of the flax plant. Dries faster than cotton

LYCRA® fiber is the brand name of the original spandex elastane.

Lyocell is biodegradable and semi-synthetic; it uses  less water and energy than other man made fibers.

A semi-synthetic, cellulose material made with spun filaments of cellulose taken from wood pulp and treated with acetic acid and other agents.

Tiny plastic particles that are released when synthetic materials are machine washed.

A semi-synthetic material derived from beech trees. It is 50% more absorbent that cotton and is very soft.

Fibers that are made from plants (cotton, linen, bamboo, hemp, jute, flax, sisal, wood, raffia) and animals (wool, alpaca, mohair, cashmere, silk, angora) that occur in nature and are biodegradable.

The first fully synthetic fiber. An artificial fiber developed by DuPont in the 1930s that is derived from petroleum.

A natural fiber. Many widely used chemicals cannot be utilized to assist the sheep or the wool processor. These chemical classes include commonly used veterinary medicines such as preventative treatments against lice, flies and internal parasites.

A thin sheer fabric that can me made from silk or synthetic material such as polyester or nylon

Parabens are a class of widely used preservatives in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. Chemically, they are a series of parahydroxybenzoates or esters of parahydroxybenzoic acid (also known as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid). Parabens are effective preservatives in many types of formulas. These compounds, and their salts, are used primarily for their bactericidal and fungicidal properties. They are found in shampoos, commercial moisturizers, shaving gels, personal lubricants, topical/parenteral pharmaceuticals, suntan products, makeup, and toothpaste. They are also used as food preservatives. No effective direct links between parabens and cancer have been established.

Phthalates, a family of industrial chemicals used to soften plastics and as solvents in cosmetics and other consumer products. They are mainly added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity. Phthalates can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs, and reproductive system.

Fabric created from pineapple leaf waste by Dr. Carmen Hijosa at the Brazilian company Ananas Anam.

Arapaima gigas, also known as pirarucu, is a species of arapaima native to the basin of the Amazon River. Once believed to be the sole species in the genus, it is among the largest freshwater fish. The species is an obligate air-breather and needs to come to the surface regularly to gulp air. Pirarucu leather is made with the skin of this fish.

An artificial, petroleum based fiber that first appeared in the 1940s.  It is thermoplastic meaning it can be melted and reformed so it is relatively easy to recycle but will melt at high heat. It is highly stain resistant but non-biodegradable.

Material made from recycled plastic bottles.

PU leather is softer, more flexible and breathable than PVC. Polyurethane is considered greener than Vinyl because it does not create dioxins. PU resins are made of a softer polymer and therefore don’t need additional plasticizers. Polyurethane costs less than real leather but it is more expensive to produce than Vinyl.

PVC/Vinyl is  made from melting polyester fibers and plasticizers sealing them closed, making a virtually waterproof surface that is flexible and tough. During the production process dioxins (carcinogens) are produced that are harmful to humans and animals and remain in the environment for a long time. Not biodegradable.

PU leather is softer, more flexible and breathable than PVC. Polyurethane is considered greener than Vinyl because it does not create dioxins. PU resins are made of a softer polymer and therefore don’t need additional plasticizers. Polyurethane costs less than real leather but it is more expensive to produce than Vinyl.

PVC/Vinyl is  made from melting polyester fibers and plasticizers sealing them closed, making a virtually waterproof surface that is flexible and tough. During the production process dioxins (carcinogens) are produced that are harmful to humans and animals and remain in the environment for a long time. Not biodegradable.

Rayon is a semi-synthetic because it is artificially made but derived from wood which is a natural fiber.

REACH is a regulation of the European Union, adopted to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals, while enhancing the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry.  Reach stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals.

Screened Chemistry is the method of assessing, scoring, and certifying textile chemicals for human and environmental health characteristics. Many global fashion, apparel, and footwear brands are eliminating the discharge of hazardous chemicals via the ZDHC Program. Several of these brands, led by Levi Strauss & Co, H&M, C&A, and NIKE have also selected Screened Chemistry as their preferred method for selecting safer chemicals. As part of the Screened Chemistry effort, these brands are engaging with suppliers and chemical formulators to evaluate chemical formulations for Screened Chemistry certification while protecting chemical supplier proprietary ingredient information.

SCS Global Services is an Emeryville, CA based company that provides third-party certification, validation, and verification for environmental, sustainability, and food safety and quality performance claims.

SCS Global Services is an Emeryville, CA based company that provides third-party certification, validation, and verification for environmental, sustainability, and food safety and quality performance claims.

A fiber formed by regenerating natural materials into a usable form through artificial means.

Silicone is a synthetic material made from sand (silica) and a mix of chemical additives derived from fossil fuels. The higher the grade of silicone (medical and food being the highest) the less likely it is to leach chemicals but there is still a lot of discussion about how safe silicone products actually are.

Silk is a natural fiber that comes from several insects including silkworms, moth caterpillars, and spiders. Silk production calls for killing the animal, usually with heat or hot water before it emerges from its cocoon  so it is not cruelty free. The environmental impact of silk production is potentially large when compared with other natural fibers.  It is one of the strongest natural fibers.  Silk is excellent as clothing because it protects from many biting insects that would ordinarily pierce clothing, such as mosquitoes and horseflies.

Sorona is a partially plant based stretch fabric that is an alternative to spandex. It was created by DuPont and it can be recycled.

A synthetic elastic fabric that breaks down easily when exposed to heat and normal wear and tear. Spandex cannot be recycled.

BLUESIGN is a system that provides safer and more sustainable environments for people to work in and everyone to live in.

A typical supply chain begins with the ecological, biological, and political regulation of natural resources, followed by the human extraction of raw material, and includes several production links (e.g., component construction, assembly, and merging) before moving on to several layers of storage facilities of ever-decreasing size and increasingly remote geographical locations, and finally reaching the consumer. Many of the exchanges encountered in the supply chain are therefore between different companies that seek to maximize their revenue within their sphere of interest but may have little or no knowledge or interest in the remaining players in the supply chain. More recently, the loosely coupled, self-organizing network of businesses that cooperates to provide product and service offerings has been called the extended enterprise. As part of their efforts to demonstrate ethical practices, many large companies and global brands are integrating codes of conduct and guidelines into their corporate cultures and management systems. Through these, corporations are making demands on their suppliers (facilities, farms, subcontracted services such as cleaning, canteen, security etc.) and verifying, through social audits, that they are complying with the required standard. A lack of transparency in the supply chain is known as mystification, which bars consumers from the knowledge of where their purchases originated and can enable socially irresponsible practices. Supply-chain managers are under constant scrutiny to secure the best pricing for their resources, which becomes a difficult task when faced with the inherent lack of transparency. Cost benchmarking is one effective method for identifying competitive pricing within the industry. This gives negotiators a solid basis to form their strategy on and drive overall spend down.

Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. To pursue sustainability is to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations.

Synthetic leather is made from a base layer of natural or synthetic material coated in plastic (usually polyurethane) and pressed or treated to look like animal hide.

Any material that is chemically derived and has no natural origin.

A brand of lyocell and modal materials.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is one of at least 113 cannabinoids identified in cannabis. THC is the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis. Like most pharmacologically active secondary metabolites of plants, THC is a lipid found in cannabis, assumed to be involved in the plant's self-defense, putatively against insect predation, ultraviolet light, and environmental stress. THC is an active ingredient in Nabiximols, a specific extract of Cannabis that was approved as a botanical drug in the United Kingdom in 2010 as a mouth spray for people with multiple sclerosis to alleviate neuropathic pain, spasticity, overactive bladder, and other symptoms. Nabiximols (as Sativex) is available as a prescription drug in Canada.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is one of at least 113 cannabinoids identified in cannabis. THC is the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis. Like most pharmacologically active secondary metabolites of plants, THC is a lipid found in cannabis, assumed to be involved in the plant's self-defense, putatively against insect predation, ultraviolet light, and environmental stress. THC is an active ingredient in Nabiximols, a specific extract of Cannabis that was approved as a botanical drug in the United Kingdom in 2010 as a mouth spray for people with multiple sclerosis to alleviate neuropathic pain, spasticity, overactive bladder, and other symptoms. Nabiximols (as Sativex) is available as a prescription drug in Canada.

Founded in 1992 with headquarters in Switzerland. Created a set of standards for textiles, leather and production facilities to see if they adhere to sustainable and socially responsible conditions (i.e. traces of harmful chemicals, colorants or other substances, waste water quality)

The process of transforming by-products, waste materials, useless, or unwanted products into new materials or products of better quality and environmental value.

Wine leather made from grape waste from the wine industry.

A type of rayon fiber that is made from natural sources such as wood and agricultural products that are regenerated as cellulose fiber.

The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health. Different ways to practice wellness: HealthPsychological wellbeing Alternative medicineWorkplace/professionalTourism/TravelEudaimonia

Wool is protein or animal based fiber. he textile fiber obtained from sheep and other animals, including cashmere and mohair from goats. Due to decreasing demand with increased use of synthetic fibers, wool production is much less than what it was in the past. The collapse in the price of wool began in late 1966 with a 40% drop; with occasional interruptions, the price has tended down. The result has been sharply reduced production and movement of resources into production of other commodities, in the case of sheep growers, to production of meat.  Washable wool technology first appeared in the early 1970s to produce wool that has been specially treated so it is machine washable and may be tumble-dried. This wool is produced using an acid bath that removes the "scales" from the fiber, or by coating the fiber with a polymer that prevents the scales from attaching to each other and causing shrinkage. This process results in a fiber that holds longevity and durability over synthetic materials, while retaining its shape. biodegradable and flame resistant and viable for recycling.