Sustainability Tips and Eco-Friendly Trends for 2024

We hear a lot about how much trouble the environment is in and how we need to clean up our act. It's true that we have a long way to go still, but it's also important to take time to recognize how far we've come. Here are some eco-friendly trends in the fashion industry and beyond that are helping the planet.

Top Trending Sustainable Brands

At Merchology we believe that businesses must take the lead on sustainability. That's why we are proud to partner with some of the most sustainable clothing brands and accessories brands like Patagonia, S'well, and Zusa. Each of these eco-friendly brands are sustainable for different reasons. There are brands with unique sustainability programs like Patagonia and Woodchuck. There are brands like S'well and YETI that are cutting back on plastic water bottle consumption. Then there are brands like Zusa and RuMe that actually make their products from recycled plastic bottles. Regardless of strategy, it's making the effort that matters the most and these brands do just that.

Trends in Sustainable Living

You don't need to start living your life 100% sustainably in every possible way to make a difference. Small changes add up when we all make conscious choices to change the way we do a few certain things. Here are a few sustainability trends that have caught on with the masses lately that you can incorporate into your everyday life.

Stop Shopping "Fast Fashion" Brands

The fall of fast fashion is a sustainability trend that's fueled by consumers shifting buying habits, forcing clothing brands to adapt to the new trend - slow fashion. "Fast fashion" means continually purchasing low-quality apparel that means the style trends of the moment, but isn't made to last. On the other hand, "slow fashion" apparel is designed to stand the test of time, both stylistically and physically. We're seeing slow fashion overtake fast fashion quickly with the fall of brands like Forever 21 and the rise of brands like Patagonia.

Choose Recycled Polyester Apparel

Traditionally speaking, polyester is not a sustainable fabric type because fossil fuels are required to create it. However, when polyester is made from recycled materials, like plastic water bottles, it becomes extremely sustainable! Not only does it become a sustainably made fabric type, it also prevents plastic from reaching landfills and oceans! Here's how it works:

Use Reusable Water Bottles and Drinkware

Want a quick and easy way to live a more sustainable lifestyle? Ditch the plastic water bottles and paper coffee cups in favor of reusable drinkware like custom water bottles and stainless steel tumblers from brands like YETI and S'well. Make an even bigger impact by hooking up your whole staff with custom drinkware to replace their single-use bottles and cups too! Just add your custom printed or engraved company logo to make them your own.

Properly Label Your Recycling Bins

This is a sustainability initiative that we discovered through our participation in Patagonia's 1% for the Planet program. Recycle Across America has been implementing a society-wide standardized labeling system for recycling bins to make it easier for everyone to recycle correctly. In locations where these labels are used, recycling levels increase 50-100% and significantly reduce contamination levels, so less recyclable materials end up in landfills.

Use Reusable Grocery Bags and Shopping Bags

Reusable grocery bags and tote bags are the gift that keeps giving to the environment. Every time that you go shopping without one of these you're most likely going to be wasting several paper or plastic bags. You can easily shrink your footprint by switching to these custom tote bags. You can even take it a step further and choose reusable totes made from sustainable fabrics like hemp or recycled polyester!

Buy Hemp Clothing

Hemp is an especially eco-friendly fabric type because it takes up very little space, requires very little water, doesn't require the use of pesticides, and is biodegradable. That checks just about all the boxes when it comes to sustainable fabric! That's just one of the reasons that hemp clothing is gaining popularity though. Hemp is also durable, breathable, hypoallergenic, and UV resistant!

Use a Reusable Straw

Plastic straws have been one of the toughest sources of plastic consumption to combat because many people don't want to touch their lips to glasses and cups in restaurants and bars for sanitary reasons. Companies like Leeds and FinalStraw are making that a problem of the past by offering easy to clean reusable straws that you can carry with you wherever you go.

Next Steps

If you incorporate even one or two of these sustainability strategies into your daily life you'll be on your way to living a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Looking for more ways to shop sustainably? Check out our Sustainable Apparel and Accessories Buyers Guide or shop the Sustainability Collection now!