Material Exchange

How to source
more sustainably

Has your business set sustainability goals? If so, are you successfully meeting them? Material Exchange recognizes that most brands today face this challenge and is working continuously to give them the information they need to meet their sustainability goals. 

How to source
more sustainably

Has your business set sustainability goals? If so, are you successfully meeting them? Material Exchange recognizes that most brands today face this challenge and is working continuously to give them the information they need to meet their sustainability goals. 

Our Sustainability Stamps

Our sustainability stamps, which allow you to easily identify social and environmental certifications and practices in place at each supplier, are just the start. We are on a mission to enable the industry to source more sustainably.  

Socially responsible

Supplier is commited to fair labor, social compliance, safe work environments, and fair and equitable staffing practices. Plus, in-place ethical codes of conduct, wage policies, etc.

Water conservation

Supplier is dedicated to efficient and safe water use through minimizing consumption, protecting all water resources, and managing wastewater in a healthy way as well as water recycling, wastewater treatment, etc.

Safe and healthy chemicals

Supplier is aiming for dyes, chemicals, finishes, and components to be safe and non-hazardous for persons and communities producing, distributing, and using these materials and products. Supplier has also passed global restricted substance list testing.

Organic content

Supplier has the capacity to produce organic textiles with certified organic processes and materials in order to protect air, soil, water, and nearby communities as well as to grow according to national organic standards.

Recycled content

Supplier is creating materials with recycled fibers or components to reduce waste and the impacts from extracting and harvesting raw materials from nature. Supplier is also producing with production/consumer waste.

Animal welfare

Supplier is pledging ethical treatment of animals and is working to ensure mental and physical well-being of each animal so none are subject to unnecessary harm or stress. Supplier also meets responsible farm, ranch, & land use practices.

Responsible leather

Supplier is working to produce, tan, dye, and finish leather with ethical environmental and social practices using only hides that are by-products of local farming and beef markets. Plus, supplier passed testing for chemical inputs.

Cleaner cotton

Supplier is using cotton that has been responsibly planted, grown, harvested, and processed from seed to product with responsible soil, water, and land use and labor practices. Supplier has also phased out hazardous pesticides & fertilizers.

Forest stewardship

Supplier is committing to preserving forests and land by selecting paper- and wood-based materials that are created without compromising the life and health of the world’s forests. Supplier has also set up practices to preserve forest wildlife habitats.

More on our sustainability mission

Objectives

Discover how we are working to drive responsibility and impact reduction in apparel and footwear sourcing. 

Sustainability Playbook

The Sustainability Playbook can help brands and suppliers accelerate transitioning to preferred materials and production practices.

Sustainability Reports

Here, you’ll find sustainability reports that communicate the actions we’re taking to help facilitate responsible sourcing. 

Annual Sourcing Surveys

Check out our analyses of the results from our annual survey here as we take a look at where the industry stands and what we can do moving forward.

Want to chat?

We’d love to hear from you. Reach out to see how we could work together.