Are Your Clothes Friendly To The Environment?

If you're anything like us, you love the feeling of picking up some fresh new gear. Whether it's a new flannel for chilly fall nights around the campfire or a new pack for your next backpacking trip, admiring the pristine materials and anticipating the experiences you'll have using the new piece is always exciting. But did you know that the textile industry, AKA the industry that makes all of your gear, is one of the highest polluting industries on the planet? That's right. Nearly 12.7 million tons of textiles end up in landfills every year. 

So should you stop buying new gear? Should you vow to hike naked (definitely not!)? What can you do to help combat the huge impact of an industry that all outdoor enthusiasts can't help but support with their purchases? Well, luckily Toad&Co is devoted to making clothing from materials that minimize their impact on the planet. Their Men's Flannagan Long Sleeve Shirt is made from organic cotton that starts with 100% GMO-free seeds. The Women's Airvoyant Puff Vest uses 100% recycled polyester made from post-consumer plastic waste and shirts like the Women's Profundo Pullover use Tencel® that is made from responsibly forested trees in a closed loop system. We could talk sustainable materials all day...these are just a few examples of the eco-friendly textiles Toad&Co uses.

We know it's tough to fully understand the impact you're having with every purchase, so we made it a little easier on you. This cheat sheet can be a super helpful resource - especially on the go - for deciding whether that new apparel is "great" or "not so great" in terms of its impact on the environment. So cut this cheat sheet out, commit it to memory, screen shot it, send it to your friends and family, tattoo it to your arm… whatever you have to do. We hope it helps!