OUR IMPACT

Our Environmental Impact

At EthiCAL Apparel, we highly value our environmental, social, and economic impacts. Therefore, we source from HaeNow, a 100% organic cotton and Fair Trade Certified t-shirt manufacturer for our apparel line, with the exception of several old products that were produced before our transition. As a secondary option for custom orders, we offer Thredfast shirts, which follow sustainability guidelines under the Better Cotton Initiative and are 40% recycled polyester. Additionally, given the carbon footprint of shipping and production, EthiCAL is in the process of investing in carbon offset programs to ensure that our shipping processes are carbon neutral!

Why Fair Trade?

Fair Trade Certified means workers are paid a living wage and are ensured safe and healthy working environments that minimize harmful environmental impacts and reducing global poverty.

Why Organic Cotton?

Organic cotton is GMO free, grown without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and chemical defoliants. The process uses less resources and is free of heavy metal dyes and harsh chemicals. The result is a comfortable shirt that is good for the environment.

Why HaeNow?

HaeNow is Fair Trade Certified and uses 100% organic cotton in all of its products — meaning workers are paid a living wage and are ensured safe and healthy working environments that minimize harmful environmental impacts and is an important step to reducing global poverty.

What We Do to Help

Each semester, we direct about 60% of our profits to a variety of social good initiatives. We focus on working with and donating to local organizations such as Communities for a Better Environment, 350 Bay Area, and SF Baykeepers. We have donated to 10+ organizations in the past few years and plan on continuing our support for the social initiatives they are leading to create a greater impact within our own communities.

What We’ve Done to Help

So far, we’ve lent over $14,000 to entrepreneurs and organizations. EthiCAL Apparel also works to provide non-monetary assistance to organizations through continued volunteer efforts within our local community.

Within the UC Berkeley community, EthiCAL Apparel also seeks to partner with other student organizations to promote environmentalism and sustainable fashion through initiatives such as events, speaker panels, and workshops.

WHO we’ve donated to

Illustration of paintbrush, hammer, axe, and broom inside a gear circle

Black silhouette of a marching band with musicians playing instruments

Illustration of a clenched fist with tree roots extending downwards, situated under the text "YOUTH vs APOCALYPSE."

Silhouettes of two people interacting with nature by a body of water with a pier, sunrise in the background, and the text "Literacy for Environmental Justice."