13,000 - 23,000 miles - Estimated total distance of travel from several different locations such as India, Indonesia, Honduras, Haiti, and Columbus, OH.
<200 mile radius - Distance from yarn creation to finished apparel.
SustainU is an American clothing company utilizing domestic labor and recycled fiber to create apparel for the collegiate community. Predicated on the message of social, environmental and economic sustainability, we are focused on changing your clothing to change our world. Creating a more conscious alternative in campus clothing, we support domestic job growth while decreasing ecological impacts.
Our garments are made from domestically sourced, post-consumer plastic bottles (PET), post-industrial polyester, and recycled cotton. These materials are unmatched in comfort and performance, supporting recycling programs while protecting virgin resources. All of the procedures in yarn creation, knitting, and assembly culminate in the United States. The combination of ecological progressive fibers with economy boosting, domestic fair labor creates amazingly comfortable clothing worthy of representing your college or university.
Whenever possible, we work with apparel printers in campus communities to keep the embellishment of our products local. In addition, we aid educational institutions in the development and sponsorship of clothing drive programs aimed at old and used apparel on campus through a campaign we call “One Shirt”. Furthering the education of sustainability topics on campus, SustainU better informs the University population through the unifying power of fashion. You now have a choice to be part of the solution.
A majority of clothing companies choose to employ labor forces outside of the United States. SustainU has gone against the grain by employing only American workers and domestic facilities for the manufacturing of all of our products. We separate ourselves from the competition by investing in the American worker and the technology that keep companies and jobs in the United States. The creation of yarn, knitting of fabrics, and assembly of all products is done in the United States. This significantly cuts down on fuel usage and transport emissions.
Our clothing requires no virgin growth or creation. This means we reuse what is already available. Our apparel is made from 100% recycled materials, produced from post-consumer plastic bottles (PET), recycled cotton, and post-industrial textile waste. These materials are inherently beneficial for our environment. For every 1 pound of recycled yarn produced, the equivalent of ½ a gallon of gasoline is conserved. One ton of recycled cotton saves 1200 gallons of water, 500 kwh of electricity, and avoids the release of 1700 pounds of non biodegradable waste. We take pride in diverting landfill waste and saving virgin resources, while endorsing practices and a mindset that can ensure a more prosperous tomorrow.
For better or worse, we all have a substantial impact on our earth. Now more than ever, changes need to be made to ensure a better quality of life for current and future generations of the world. Sustainability is in the spotlight and there is room for major improvement. As a nation, we account for 5% of the world’s population and generate 25% of its waste. As staggering at it may sound, every year enough plastic bottles flow through U.S. landfills to wrap around the Earth 5 times. Landfill space is depleting and virgin natural resources are being used at an alarming rate. If we are not willing to change our lifestyle to be a part of the solution, we will continue to contribute to the problem.
