Denim jeans are worn by nearly everyone, with billions of pairs sold across the world. Most are made from conventional cotton which although better than synthetic fibres like polyester or nylon, are not usually organic. Non-organic farming releases chemicals and pesticides into the air and water, which harms local wildlife and also can cause cancer to farmers, many of which don’t wear protective clothing due to hot weather, and often are illiterature, so can’t read the warnings on the cans (many also commit suicide, as they cannot keep affording to pay for the chemicals needed to grow conventional cotton).
In addition, we have other issues. The blue dye used to make most pairs of jeans is very toxic. There are places along the Ganges River in India, where street dogs have literally turned blue, as the dyes have penetrated their skin. And many jeans (especially some brand names like Levi) use leather patches, which often come from factories in countries with little or no animal welfare laws (the tanning process for most leather is also very polluting to both the planet, and those involved in the industry.
Jeans with the ‘distressed look’ often use sandblasting that involves blasting tiny grains of sand through an airgun, which (along with pumcie stones that create lots of dust) can harm water streams, and also workers who have to use this process in factories.
The obvious alternatives are to buy organic cotton or hemp jeans, which are far cleaner to make. These will be more expensive, but as organic fibres are not treated with chemicals, they tend to last longer. You could buy secondhand jeans from charity shops or buy preloved jeans online. Other ideas are to buy jeans made from recycled cotton, or you can even rent jeans and then send them back and rent new pairs, to save keep buying new pairs. At end of life, most jeans are cotton so will biodegrade or recycle, or you can use creative skills to turn them into other items. Some jeans contain recycled materials (if synthetic fibre, launder in a microplastic catcher).
The Best Brands of Organic Cotton Jeans
Blonde Gone Rogue makes beautiful jeans made from organic cotton, sent in zero waste packaging. These cropped leg jeans feature a cheeky flash detail on the pocket, and four fastening buttons on the front. Choose from yellow or blue.
Their ‘sustainable mum’ jeans have front and back pockets, and frayed edges. Made from 100% cotton, made ethically in Europe, in blue or pink. Wash cold, only when needed. Sold with matching denim jacket.
Other Good Brands of Sustainable Jeans
Mud Jeans (The Netherlands) are made mostly from organic cotton. And each pair that’s sent back are made into new jeans, leaving no waste and using 92% less water than using regular jeans. You can also sign up to lease jeans over 12 months – get a discount by sending in your old jeans, then keep or swap your jeans, when you fancy a change. You get a free prepaid label, and they make the old jeans into new jeans!
Thought makes ‘Denimkind’ jeans from organic cotton, designed to flatter every figure. Made with 75% less energy and 68% less water compared to standard denim manufacturing, they are made with recycled water and branded patches are made with vegan Jacron leather (made from wood-based cellulose).
Finisterre creates jeans in various styles, made from organic cotton, and made with techniques to save energy and water. The classic five pocket design has a slim fit, reinforced with workwear-inspired pockets.
Jeans with a Vegan Leather Patch
Nudie Jeans (Sweden) makes organic cotton jeans, for men and women. Great, but unfortunately this brand does use leather and wool in some jeans, along with some made with non-biodegradable elastane or recycled polyester, which leaches microplastics in the machine when washed. However, it is the first brand to offer a Jacron (paper) vegan leather patch, as an alternative to conventional leather patches on jeans, sparking a campaign to ask the big brands like Levi, to do the same.
Where to Find (very affordable) Sustainable Jeans
Community Clothing makes locally-made cotton jeans at fair prices for men and women. These jeans have belt loops and button fastening with zip fly, and 3 pockets. The company is a new brand that offers basic staples (no ‘new season’ clothes or Black Friday sales) so can offer clothing at around a third of other organic brands. The models even do their own make-up and hair on shoots to save on marketing costs!
Also look online for sales bargains. The pair above from John Lewis’ website were reduced by half-price, showing that if you look, anyone can afford to buy sustainable jeans over conventional ones!
