Designing is like cooking.

There's no one-size-fits-all solution to create the perfect, sustainable t-shirt.

So, before you jump into your t-shirt recipe, ask yourself: What does "sustainable" mean to me and my brand?

Yes, looking at sustainability holistically is essential, but to turn them into actionable steps, you must determine your Sustainable Objectives. Not everyone's sustainability strategy will taste the same, and that's okay! Some designers are climate warriors, others focus on circularity, and others on ethics or transparency.

Choose what aligns with your creative and business vision. Remember, you don't have to do it all at once!

The Organic T-shirt

This recipe is perfect for brands that prioritise environmental health, low-impact farming, and skin-friendly materials. From seed to stitch, you’ll learn how to craft a certified organic tee made without synthetic pesticides or toxic dyes—just clean ingredients for conscious consumers.

Collaboration Opportunities

1. The Dogwood Dyer (USA)

• Liz Spencer, a natural dye expert, teaches sustainable craft techniques. She grows and forages dye plants in Southern California. By using natural mordants and water-saving methods, such as bundle dyeing and reusing dyebaths, she minimises environmental impact.

2. Baccherosse (Italy)

• Creates timeless, sustainable clothing using only natural and organic fabrics, naturally dyed for a low-impact, artisanal finish.

3. Flavia Aranha (Brasil)

• Specialises in botanical printing and natural dyeing with native species, for example, this top is made with 100% silk fabric, printed using a pioneering botanical printing technique with leaves of crajiru, a medicinal plant native to the Amazon and Atlantic Forest.

The Recyclable T-shirt

A truly recyclable t-shirt begins with thoughtful design. This recipe suits designers who care about circularity and reducing landfill waste. By choosing mono-materials, recyclable trims, and sewing with future disassembly in mind, you're not just reducing waste—you're designing for tomorrow. Follow this step-by-step to ensure your tee is made to be remade.

Collaboration Opportunities

1. Circulose (Sweden)

• Circulose® is a patented material made from 100% recycled cotton from worn-out garments.
• Partners include Filippa K, H&M, Levi’s, and Pangaia.

2. Re-Verso (Italy)

• Specialises in regenerating wool and cashmere.
• Collaborates with fashion brands to collect pre- and post-consumer waste, transforming it into high-quality yarns and fabrics.

3. Evrnu (USA)

• Converts textile waste into NuCycl™, a new engineered fibre that can be recycled multiple times.
• Focus on high performance and reducing environmental impact.

The Fair-made T-shirt

Crafting a fair-made t-shirt means centering people in your sustainability strategy. This recipe is for brands that value equity, fair wages, and humane working conditions across their supply chain. You’ll also learn how to source cruelty-free, plant-based materials that reflect a broader commitment to compassion and justice—from fibre to finish.

Get inspired

1. Bethany Williams (London)

• This British designer collaborates with organisations like the Magpie Project, a charity that supports homeless mothers and their toddlers, to create collections from upcycled materials, highlighting social issues and promoting community empowerment.

2. Sky High Farm Universe (USA)

• A New York-based fashion label that supports Sky High Farm, a non-profit providing food to families in need. Profits are divided between supporting the farm, employees, the community, and investors.

3. Veja (France)

• This French sneaker brand works directly with cooperatives in Brazil, ensuring fair treatment and financial stability for workers throughout its supply chain.

The Zero-waste T-shirt

Want to eliminate textile waste from your t-shirt production? This recipe is made for brands that treat resources with respect and value conscious craftsmanship. Through clever pattern-cutting and fabric use, you’ll reduce scraps, repurpose leftovers, and rethink production as a more intentional process. No waste, just creative flavour.

Get inspired

1. Zero Waste Daniel (USA)

• Designer and zero-waste lifestyle advocate who transforms pre-consumer waste from New York City's garment industry and other hard-to-recycle materials into a line of genderless clothing and accessories, ensuring nothing ends up in landfills.

2. Anekdot (Germany)

• Berlin-based lingerie and swimwear brand that transforms fashion industry waste into luxurious, limited-edition pieces. By upcycling surplus materials like deadstock and off-cuts, Anekdot creates sensual, sustainable designs that empower while reducing textile waste and emissions.

3. Rifò (Italy)

• This Italian brand specialises in recycled and recyclable garments. All materials are natural, biodegradable, or made with at least 50% recycled fibres. They also create capsule collections using deadstock materials.

Do you need guidance?

Book a free consultancy call with our team and get expert guidance on material sourcing, eco-design strategies, and certification management—everything you need to align with DPP requirements and sustainability regulations.