Organic Basics

The brand holds several reputable certifications, including GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and GRS (Global Recycled Standard), ensuring adherence to high environmental and social standards. Additionally, most of their products are PETA-Approved Vegan, and they are a certified B Corporation, reflecting their commitment to social and environmental performance. These certifications provide strong evidence of their dedication to sustainable practices.

The majority of Organic Basics' products are PETA-Approved Vegan, indicating a strong commitment to animal welfare. They have phased out the use of recycled wool and cashmere, further aligning with cruelty-free practices. This dedication to avoiding animal-derived materials reflects a high standard in animal welfare considerations.

Organic Basics demonstrates a strong commitment to transparency by publishing detailed impact reports and disclosing information about their supply chain and manufacturing partners. They have set goals to further enhance transparency, such as sharing the origins of fabrics, accessories, and dyes used in their products. However, while they have made significant strides, there is still room for improvement in providing comprehensive traceability across all tiers of their supply chain.

Organic Basics prioritizes the use of sustainable materials, with 90% of their garments made from GOTS-certified organic cotton. They also incorporate recycled nylon and LENZING™ fibers like TENCEL™ Lyocell and ECOVERO™, which are produced through eco-friendly processes. While their material choices are commendable, the inclusion of small percentages of elastane for functionality introduces synthetic elements that can affect recyclability.

Organic Basics has taken steps to reduce packaging emissions by 30% per product by switching from cardboard boxes to glassine bags. They also use recycled cardboard boxes and FSC-certified compostable glassine bags for packaging. While these initiatives are positive, there is limited information on broader waste reduction strategies within their operations, suggesting an opportunity for further development in this area.

The brand has implemented measures to reduce water usage, such as using algae-based dyes that decrease water consumption by 98% during the dyeing process. They also work with suppliers who have adopted water-efficient practices, reducing usage by 40%. However, specific water reduction targets are not disclosed, indicating an area for potential improvement in setting and communicating clear goals.

The company has made significant efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, including achieving a 65% reduction in transport emissions per product by increasing the use of sea shipping. They have also committed to offsetting their Scope 1, 2, and partial Scope 3 emissions through verified projects. However, challenges remain in meeting their goal to reduce emissions intensity by 50% by 2025, indicating the need for continued efforts and strategies to achieve this target.

Organic Basics collaborates with certified factory partners that maintain high standards of working conditions and ensure fair wages. They list all manufacturing partners on their website and require compliance with GOTS and GRS standards. However, the absence of a publicly available Code of Conduct and limited information on labor practices beyond certifications suggest there is room for enhanced transparency and assurance in this area.

Organic Basics utilizes renewable energy in its supply chain and collaborates with suppliers who have adopted energy-efficient practices, such as co-generated steam energy that reduces the energy footprint by 60%. However, detailed information on the extent of renewable energy use and specific energy efficiency targets is limited, suggesting room for further transparency and improvement in this area.

The brand acknowledges the importance of product longevity and circularity, committing to implementing a circular strategy to ensure products can be safely recycled or reused. However, specific achievements and detailed plans in this area are not extensively documented, indicating that while the intention is present, more concrete actions and transparency are needed to fully realize these goals.