Balena Weekly News RoundUp

In recent weeks, sustainability has been at the forefront of fashion industry discussions, with brands making strides toward sustainable production, innovative material use, and efforts to close the loop on waste. From footwear companies embracing plant-based materials to fast fashion being called out for its lack of transparency, the push for more sustainable practices continues to evolve. This week’s roundup highlights key developments across the fashion sector, showcasing brands rethinking their environmental impact and the latest initiatives driving the industry toward circularity.?

9 Brands Making Sustainable Strides in Style

In the fight against climate change, footwear brands are stepping up with stylish yet sustainable options. Allbirds lead with sustainable designs like the Tree Dashers, using renewable materials and transparent carbon tracking. YY Nation from New Zealand offers plant-based shoes made from materials like cactus, while Cariuma produces vegan sneakers and plants trees for each pair sold. These brands exemplify how sustainability can be seamlessly integrated into fashion, showing that you don't have to sacrifice style for environmental responsibility.?

Read More Here>>>

Harnessing Reverse Logistics: Essential Strategies for Circular Fashion Systems

Reverse Logistics for Circular Fashion Systems is a comprehensive guide for fashion brands, retailers, and logistics providers aiming to implement effective circular fashion practices. This publication, supported by Maersk and Global Fashion Agenda, highlights the critical role of reverse logistics in transitioning to circular fashion models. It details how managing the reverse flow of materials—from end-users back into the system for resale, remaking, or recycling—can extend product lifecycles, maximize value, and minimize waste.

Drawing on extensive research and insights from eight leading experts, including Maersk, Nike, H&M Group, Target, PUMA Group, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, VF Corporation, and Circle Economy Foundation, the report outlines three key strategies essential for achieving a circular fashion system. Through expert interviews and best practice reviews, this resource provides actionable guidance for fostering a more sustainable and circular fashion industry.

Download the report here >>>

Crocs Reaches Sustainability Milestone with 25% Bio-Circular Croslite? Material

Crocs has achieved a significant sustainability milestone by making its iconic Croslite? material 25% bio-circular. This innovation utilizes plant-based byproducts, such as waste cooking oil from the food industry, to create the foundation of Crocs' Classic Clog. The shift to bio-circular materials represents a major step forward in Crocs' ongoing sustainability journey, as the brand continues to reduce waste and innovate toward more sustainable production methods.?

Learn more about Crocs' efforts to integrate sustainable materials into their iconic products here >>>

Indré Rockefeller's Circularity Project: Rethinking Fashion’s Endgame

Indré Rockefeller is leading the charge for circular fashion with her nonprofit, The Circularity Project, which encourages designers to consider the full lifecycle of their creations. Through events and quirky Instagram videos, she promotes the idea of designing clothes that stay in circulation—either through reuse, recycling, or repurposing—rather than contributing to waste. By bringing together designers and corporations, Rockefeller hopes to shift the fashion industry towards a more sustainable, circular future

Read her latest interview with the Washington Post here >>>

Fast-Fashion Brands Criticized for Lack of Transparency Amid Climate Concerns

Dutch investment group ASN Impact Investors has divested fast-fashion brands due to their inability to meet tougher sustainability criteria. This comes as new research from Fashion Revolution reveals that 53% of the world’s 250 largest fashion brands still lack concrete decarbonization targets. The report highlights a worrying lack of transparency, with only 10% of global brands disclosing energy procurement details at the supply chain level, and 45% failing to provide emissions data on raw materials and production volumes. Despite 117 brands having carbon reduction plans certified by the Science Based Targets initiative, the opacity surrounding supply chain practices remains a critical issue. Fashion Revolution's Liv Simpliciano underscores the importance of transparency for accountability, noting that 48% of brands do not disclose the names or locations of their suppliers. This secrecy prevents collective action to decarbonize shared supply chains and undermines the credibility of climate commitments in the fast-fashion sector.

Read more here >>>

As fashion brands grapple with the growing demand for transparency and sustainable practices, the industry's transition to more circular models is both challenging and necessary. From innovative materials and circular fashion strategies to increased accountability for carbon emissions, each of these stories reflects a broader shift towards a more responsible and forward-thinking industry. While there is much progress to be made, the efforts of both established and emerging brands are paving the way for a future where fashion and sustainability can coexist without compromise.