Based in Boulder, Colorado, Pact clothing has put sustainability at the center of its business. Their mission is to promote the “Earth’s Favorite” fiber, which is 100% organic cotton. By ensuring that the cotton for its garments is completely organic, the brand saves vast amounts of water and also eliminates the use of toxic chemicals. Pact encourages its customers to reduce their environmental footprint by wearing its products, providing sustainable essentials for men, women, and children. Its collections also include maternity wear and baby clothing, promoting its clothing to be included as part of an everyday wardrobe. The company manufactures in India, where most of the world’s organic cotton productions take place. Pacts clothing meets Fair Trade certification standards for its ethics in production as well as its sustainability efforts. In addition, Pact supports land and waterways in 45 countries in a world-changing way of doing its business.
It’s the most widely used natural fiber in the world but not the most sustainable. Unsustainable cotton cultivation is responsible for tremendous environmental degradation around the world, but with particular emphasis on poor and emerging economies. Since its inception, the Colorado-based retailer has changed hands and has grown twenty-fold. Amongst its products are women's dresses, sweatshirts and cotton sports bras, as well as baby and toddler clothes, men's T-shirts, underwear, pajamas and more. What is this company's secret to success in such a tough market? According to the brands CEO Brendan Synnott - it makes ridiculously comfortable basics for the whole family. Everyone needs them. In a world where consumers are increasingly concerned about "who made my clothes'' thanks to Fashion Revolution for launching such a campaign in the months following the Rana Plaza garment factory disaster, a good product has a good backstory. Or, as Synnott said, "millennials demand brands with social causes embedded in the product offering, authentic reasons for being and at a value that is affordable". Pact ticks all the boxes. The fabric is almost entirely organic cotton, except where a little synthetic elastane is required for optimal fit and feel. Even items such as sports bras, which are usually made from 100% synthetic material, are made from cotton, which gives them a wonderfully soft feel. The company is deeply committed to using only GOTS-certified organic cotton. It uses up to 95 percent less water than conventional cotton during the washing phase and does not contain the harsh chemicals, bleaches or dyes that conventional cotton uses. In addition, conventional cotton often requires the use of chemical-laden pesticides that increase the debt burden on the farmer and leach into the soil and water. Some of the items are Fairtrade certified, but not all. Pact explains that this is because Fairtrade certification does not apply in certain countries that already have union and wage protection for workers. Regardless, all production is guaranteed to be free of child labor and exploitative conditions. Fairtrade Partnership Pact has partnered with Fair Trade to ensure that its production process meets rigorous social, economic, and environmental standards. This partnership allows Pact to empower the farmers producing its cotton. For every item sold, the farmers earn additional monetary aid to invest in vital community projects that uplift the local area overall. These funds go towards programs and projects for healthcare and education. Wanting to do away with the misconception that “factory” is a dirty word, all of Pact’s cut and sew factories are certified Fair Trade. The company has made the conscious decision to only partner with sweat-shop-free and child-free factories, providing its workers with the respect they deserve.