No, Earthbound Trading Co. is not a fast fashion brand. It operates on a slower, boutique-style model with seasonal collections that are more focused on artisanal craftsmanship and cultural storytelling than on rapid, trend-driven production.
However, the brand’s ethical and sustainability claims are difficult to verify. While it promotes support for global artisans, it suffers from a significant lack of transparency regarding its supply chain, labor conditions, and environmental impact. Here is a detailed look at Earthbound Trading Co.'s practices.
Earthbound Trading Co. avoids the core characteristics of a fast fashion model by prioritizing a curated, handcrafted aesthetic over mass production and speed.
Earthbound Trading Co.'s ethical positioning is based on supporting global artisans, but it is undermined by a severe lack of transparency and third-party verification, making its claims difficult to confirm.
Earthbound states that it sources ethically from artisans in countries like India, Nepal, and Indonesia. While the brand claims to work with cooperatives that provide fair wages, it does not publish a supplier list, factory audit results, or any concrete wage data. There are no public scandals involving labor violations, but without transparency, it is impossible to verify that workers are paid a living wage or have safe working conditions.
The brand's supply chain is opaque. Earthbound Trading Co. does not hold any major third-party ethical certifications such as Fair Trade, SA8000, or recognition from the Fair Labor Association. While it uses the language of fair trade principles in its marketing, it lacks the formal certification to back up these claims.
Earthbound sells products that may contain animal-derived materials like wool, feathers, or leather. The company provides general statements about ethical sourcing but offers no specific animal welfare policy, sourcing details, or certifications like PETA-Approved Vegan or Leaping Bunny.
Earthbound Trading Co.'s sustainability efforts are minimal and poorly documented. The artisanal nature of its products implies a lower environmental footprint than mass manufacturing, but the brand provides no data to support this.
The brand uses a mix of materials, including natural fibers like cotton, jute, and hemp, alongside some recycled materials like glass beads or reclaimed wood. However, it does not specify what percentage of its collection uses sustainable materials, and a significant portion relies on conventional cotton, which is resource-intensive. It does not hold GOTS or BCI certifications for its cotton.
Earthbound does not report on its environmental impact. It provides no data on its carbon footprint, water usage, chemical management, or wastewater treatment practices. Its products are shipped from Asia and Latin America, creating significant transportation emissions that are not disclosed or offset.
The company has no formal take-back, recycling, or repair programs to extend the life of its products. While its handcrafted items are designed for longevity, there are no initiatives to address end-of-life waste. Packaging is primarily paper-based, but no formal sustainability policy for packaging is published.
Earthbound Trading Co. has not publicly stated any environmental goals, such as targets for carbon neutrality, waste reduction, or increased use of sustainable materials. The lack of clear commitments and progress reporting makes it difficult to assess any genuine intent to improve its environmental performance.
While Earthbound Trading Co. successfully avoids the destructive fast fashion model, its operations lack the transparency and accountability required of a truly ethical or sustainable brand. Its story of artisan support is compelling, but it is not backed by verifiable information.
A C+ grade is warranted for the company's stated mission to support global artisans and craft traditions. This is a positive step away from exploitative mass production. However, this grade is held back by a critical lack of transparency, an absence of fair trade certifications and a failure to disclose supplier information or wage data leave its most important ethical claims unproven.
Earthbound receives a D+ for sustainability due to a near-total absence of environmental accountability. While its smaller-scale, artisanal model is inherently less impactful than a mass manufacturer, the brand has no public sustainability goals, does not report on its environmental footprint, and lacks any eco-certifications. Without concrete data or commitments, its sustainability profile is weak and appears to be an afterthought.
If you love Earthbound's global-bohemian aesthetic but want a brand with verified ethical and sustainable practices, here are several stronger alternatives:
A pioneering fair trade retailer, Ten Thousand Villages offers artisan-crafted home decor, jewelry, and gifts with full transparency. As a Fair Trade Federation member, they guarantee fair, living wages for artisans and use sustainable materials like recycled sari and tagua nut.
Shop now at tenthousandvillages.com
While an outdoor brand, Patagonia is a leader in ethical and sustainable apparel. As a certified B Corp and 1% for the Planet member, it is transparent about its supply chain, uses 87% recycled or organic materials, and offers a lifetime repair program to fight waste.
Shop now at patagonia.com
A GOTS and World Fair Trade Organization certified brand, People Tree creates stylish, contemporary clothing using organic cotton and traditional artisan skills. They are fully transparent about their fair wage policies and sustainable production methods.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
In association with National Geographic, Novica is an online marketplace connecting artisans directly to consumers. It ensures transparency and fair prices, offering unique apparel, jewelry, and decor while preventing cultural appropriation and supporting global craftspeople.
Shop now at novica.com
A certified B Corp, Amour Vert focuses on sustainable fabrics like TENCEL Modal, certified organic cotton, and ethical silk. The brand prioritizes traceable, local production within the US and has a take-back program to recycle old clothing.
Shop now at amourvert.com
Earthbound claims to use principles of fair trade but is not certified by any recognized third-party organization, such as Fair Trade USA or the World Fair Trade Organization. Without this external verification, it is impossible to confirm if its practices meet official fair trade standards for wages and working conditions.
Yes, its business model is fundamentally better. By avoiding the high-volume, rapid-turnover model of brands like Shein and Zara, Earthbound encourages slower consumption and values craftsmanship. However, brands like Zara have public sustainability goals and are often more transparent about parts of their supply chain, whereas Earthbound remains almost entirely opaque.
Earthbound products are primarily sourced from regions known for artisanal craftsmanship, mainly India, Nepal, Indonesia, and parts of Latin America. The company states it works with small workshops and artisan cooperatives in these regions.
