Thunderpants (fun cotton undies for all sizes)

Thunderpants is a slightly bonkers company (for people who love bright patterned undies!) that offers UK-stitched and finished undies, made locally to cut transport miles and support local economies.

The wide waistbands and flat seams prevent digging or chafing, and they hold up after each wash. You’ll also find matching vests and leggings.

Nearly ALL ‘sustainable undie brands’ use a little elastane (they say it’s for comfort and stretch). For the rest, it’s best to invest in a microfiber filter (which you can to launder all synthetics, then you catch the microplastics to be sent off for recycling, and get empty cartridges in return). 

Where to recycle your old undies

You likely know that underwear cannot be returned once bought for hygiene reasons. And for the same reason, you can’t donate it to charity shops. But you can drop old pairs (even torn or worn) into textile banks. From there, the fabric gets shredded and turned into industrial products like carpet insulation.