Garment dyeing and finishing processes are responsible for 80% of the total wastewater generated during manufacturing. Water used in fiber processing accounts for 12%, and the remaining 8% comes from other links in the supply chain.
The demand for colors in clothing means that today we use between 6 and 9 billion liters of water each year just to dye these fabrics. This generates wastewater containing high concentrations of toxic dyes and heavy metals.
Globally, one estimate suggests that industrial wastewater volumes will double by 2025. A total of 1.8 billion people are expected to live in countries or regions affected by drinking water scarcity by 2025.
OEKO-TEX® for Sustainable Dyeing Processes
Toad & Co is an American fashion brand committed to cleaning up the “messes” of the fast fashion industry. The most noteworthy of Toad & Co's dedication to sustainable apparel is its eco-friendly fabrics. Almost all of its collections contain a minimum of 80% sustainable fabrics that are certified by Bluesign® or OEKO-TEX®. These third-party certifiers are highly respected within the apparel industry.
Regarded as a leader in sustainable apparel, this outdoor clothing brand counts on OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification to meet requirements on hazardous substances, such as heavy metals, toxic dyes, phytosanitary substances, and carcinogenic substances such as formaldehyde that are used in textiles. Creating apparel for men and women, Toad & Co’s virgin wool is certified non-mulesed and approved by OEKO-TEX®.
As a brand that cares deeply about giving back and supporting environmental causes, the brand has partnered with 1% for the Planet, a global network of businesses, individuals, and nonprofits working to tackle our planet's most pressing environmental issues, as well as The Conservation Alliance, which works to protect
Toad & Co’s other sustainable materials include: Organic cotton, with 91% less water than regular cotton and hemp, a fast-growing rainfed crop that returns nutrients to the soil. It also sources Tencel, which is made from eucalyptus in a closed-loop system that recovers 98% of by-products. In addition to recycled fabrics such as wool, cotton, polyester, etc. Toad & Co avoids materials like acrylic, silk, conventional cotton and rayon/viscose.
The Future is Circular
As a firm advocate for circular fashion, Toad & Co also partners with ThredUp, one of the largest companies specializing in the marketing of second-hand garments. This way, customers can send in their clothes, regardless of whether they’re from Toad & Co or not, in order to give them a second life and get a Toad &Co credit in return. Toad & Co also holds workshops so that customers can learn how to mend their old garments.