From “eco-friendly” to “compostable,” the language of sustainability has become a tangled web of well-meaning promises and, too often, misleading claims. At eavolu®, we believe in transparency. If we ask our customers to care, they deserve to understand why it matters and what is true. Here’s a breakdown of the most common—and most confusing—terms in the world of sustainable fashion, and what they actually mean when it comes to fibers, garments, and our planet’s future.
🔁 Circularity vs. Sustainability vs. Eco-Friendly
Sustainability is a broad concept. It refers to practices that can be maintained long-term without depleting resources, harming the environment, or compromising future generations. In fashion, this includes reducing water use, using renewable materials, lowering emissions, and supporting ethical labor.
Circularity, on the other hand, is a specific system. It means designing products with the end in mind. Garments are made to be reused, recycled, or composted—not thrown away. True circularity means fibers come from renewable sources, can re-enter the system safely, and avoid landfill altogether. Very few garments today are truly circular.
Eco-friendly is a more general (and often overused) term that simply means the product or practice is less harmful to the environment—but it does not necessarily mean sustainable or circular. Unfortunately, it is also not regulated.
♻️ Recycled vs. Greenwashing
Recycled materials sound like the gold standard—but not all recycled materials are created equal. For example:
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Recycled polyester from plastic bottles is not circular. Once melted into yarn and sewn into clothing, the plastic cannot easily be extracted and recycled again. It often sheds microplastics in the wash, breaking the circular chain and contributing to ocean pollution.
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Recycled natural fibers, on the other hand, can be part of a circular system if they are kept pure and unblended (which is rare in fast fashion).
Greenwashing is the act of misleading consumers with environmental claims that are vague, exaggerated, or simply false. It can look like this:
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A garment labeled “sustainable” with no certification or transparency.
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A brand highlighting recycled content but using toxic dyes or underpaid labor.
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Marketing that focuses on one “green” feature while hiding a long list of harmful practices.
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🔄 Upcycling: Giving Materials a Second Life—Elevated
Unlike recycling, which often breaks materials down to create something new (often of lesser quality), upcycling involves repurposing existing materials into higher-value products—without reprocessing them. It preserves more of the material’s integrity and requires less energy and water.
In fashion, this might look like:
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Turning leftover yardage into a new capsule collection
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Recutting a garment into a fresh silhouette
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Reimagining scraps into trims, linings, or accessories
At eavolu®, we proudly integrate upcycling into our sustainability model by using reclaimed and deadstock fabrics for limited-edition collections. These beautiful, high-quality materials were once headed for landfill—but we give them a second life, rescuing them from waste and transforming them into intentional, minimal silhouettes that align with your values and lifestyle.
Upcycling allows us to support mills and manufacturers by providing a responsible home for unused yardage—without compromising on quality or design.
🌎 Carbon Footprint: Why It Matters
Your carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly and indirectly through your activities. For apparel brands, this includes:
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Energy used to make fabrics (and whether it comes from coal or solar).
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Transportation—how far and how often goods travel.
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Packaging, warehousing, customer returns, and even garment care (think: dryer use).
Tracking and reducing carbon emissions is critical if we want to slow climate change. And this is not just a corporate issue—it is a household one too. We believe companies and individuals have a shared responsibility to:
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Measure impact
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Reduce where possible
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Offset responsibly
🌱 Biodegradable vs. Compostable
Both terms refer to how materials break down—but there’s a big difference:
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Biodegradable means it will eventually break down into natural elements, but it may take years (or decades) and can release toxins in the process.
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Compostable means it breaks down quickly into safe, non-toxic components—and enriches the soil. But it must be placed in the right environment (industrial or home compost).
Plastic-based fabrics, including recycled plastic bottles, are neither biodegradable nor compostable. Even when broken down, they leave behind microplastics and chemical residue.
🧵 eavolu®: Walking the Walk, Not Just Talking the Talk
At eavolu®, we are committed to reducing our footprint—not just in our messaging, but in every decision we make:
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✅ Fabrics made in the USA using natural, eco-friendly fibers like Supima® cotton and TENCEL™ Modal—sourced from renewable wood pulp in closed-loop systems.
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✅ Garments made in the USA, supporting ethical labor and reducing carbon-heavy overseas shipping.
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✅ Limited collections made from reclaimed and deadstock fabrics, rescuing unused materials from mills and manufacturers to prevent them from ending up in landfills.
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✅ Compostable packaging (even the labels and hangtags).
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✅ Carbon-neutral shipping, for which we pay extra so you do not have to.
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✅ Electric vehicles for local transport and photoshoots.
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✅ 19 rooftop solar panels that power our Seattle Office/ Fulfillment Center.
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✅ Flight offsetting—we pay extra to neutralize carbon when flying becomes necessary.
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✅ Public transit and shared rides prioritized for all team travel.
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✅ Worm bins used in-office for composting biodegradable packaging and food scraps.
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✅ Rain barrels for capturing and reusing water—reducing strain on municipal systems.
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✅ Intentional, small-batch production, so nothing goes to waste.
We also track our carbon footprint daily with Wren. This partnership has helped us not only make smarter business and lifestyle decisions—it has also expanded our global impact. With Wren’s guidance, we now support:
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Policy change initiatives that push for systemic climate solutions
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Technical innovation that accelerates clean energy and sustainable material breakthroughs
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Land restoration efforts that protect and regenerate ecosystems around the globe
And in addition to our Wren-led contributions, eavolu® proudly donates a portion of profits to three dedicated charitable causes we believe in deeply:
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1% for the Planet
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Impact Others
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Women’s Empowerment Initiatives
🧭 The Bottom Line
Sustainability is not a buzzword—it is a responsibility. And in a world flooded with claims and confusion, we believe in truth, clarity, and action.
When you support eavolu®, you are not just buying a garment. You are:
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Reducing waste
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Supporting ethical U.S. manufacturing
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Empowering charitable change
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Voting for circular systems and thoughtful design
We promise to continue learning, evolving, and challenging ourselves to do better. Every choice we make is designed to honor your trust, and our planet.
Want to learn more or get involved?
Follow our journey at eavolu.com and join the movement toward a simpler, more sustainable way to dress—and live.
Warmest Regards,
Kirsten
Founder, eavolu®