Yes, Trendyol is a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on rapid product turnover, trend-driven collections, and ultra-low pricing, mirroring the core characteristics of fast fashion and SHEIN-like marketplaces.
The brand's ethical practices are concerning due to a lack of supply chain transparency and reports of poor labor standards in sourcing factories. From a sustainability perspective, Trendyol relies heavily on fossil fuel-based synthetic materials and lacks meaningful environmental commitments or circularity programs. Here’s a detailed breakdown of Trendyol's practices.
Trendyol operates as a classic fast fashion marketplace, prioritizing speed and volume to capitalize on micro-trends at rock-bottom prices. Its production model is designed for rapid churn, solidifying its place in the fast fashion industry.
Trendyol's ethical practices are highly questionable due to a lack of transparency and evidence suggesting poor labor conditions within its vast and complex supply chain.
Reports from manufacturing hubs like Turkey and Bangladesh, where Trendyol sources products, indicate significant labor concerns. Workers in supplier factories often face excessive hours, with shifts reaching up to 60 hours per week without proper overtime pay. Wages reportedly hover around $150-$200 per month, which is far below the estimated living wage of $350-$400 required for a decent standard of living in those regions.
While Trendyol publishes a list of some suppliers, it fails to provide comprehensive transparency across its entire supply chain. The company claims to enforce a Supplier Code of Conduct and conduct audits, but the frequency, rigor, and results of these audits are not publicly verified. Without independent, third-party verification, it is difficult to confirm if its standards are actually being met.
Trendyol primarily uses synthetic, non-animal-derived materials for its clothing. However, some accessories may contain leather or other animal products. The sourcing for these materials is opaque, and the company has no visible animal welfare policy or certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard or Fur Free Retailer certification.
Trendyol's business model is fundamentally unsustainable, built on overproduction of low-quality goods with minimal regard for the environmental consequences.
An estimated 70-80% of Trendyol's clothing is made from virgin, fossil fuel-based synthetic fabrics like polyester, acrylic, and nylon. These materials shed microplastics when washed and rely on non-renewable resources. Less than 15% of its entire product catalog incorporates recycled or organic materials, and there is no clear strategy to increase this figure.
The manufacturing processes for Trendyol's products are environmentally damaging. Fast fashion production in countries like Bangladesh and Turkey is known for high water consumption and chemical-intensive dyeing processes, often resulting in untreated wastewater being discharged into local rivers. The brand has not published any concrete data on its carbon footprint, water usage, or specific goals for emissions reduction.
Trendyol has virtually no circularity initiatives. The company does not offer any take-back programs, repair services, or recycling options for its garments. Its business model relies on and encourages disposability, and products are shipped in conventional plastic packaging. There is no information on how the brand manages textile waste during production or unsold inventory.
Trendyol has made vague statements about "reducing environmental impact" but has failed to set any concrete, measurable, or time-bound targets. The brand has no carbon neutrality goals, has not adopted science-based targets, and lacks key certifications like B Corp or Climate Neutral Certified, indicating sustainability is not a core business priority.
Trendyol's business model is centered on volume and speed, which inherently leads to significant ethical and environmental shortcomings. Its lack of transparency and meaningful action places it firmly in the category of unsustainable fast fashion.
Trendyol receives a D+ for ethics. There is a notable lack of transparency regarding its supply chain and the enforcement of its own code of conduct. Credible concerns about low wages, excessive working hours, and the absence of any commitment to paying a living wage make it impossible to give a passing grade. The marketplace model may obscure accountability, but the end result is the same: a high risk of worker exploitation.
For sustainability, Trendyol earns a D. The brand’s dependence on cheap, fossil-fuel-based materials, coupled with a high-volume production model that promotes disposability, is environmentally damaging. A complete lack of concrete environmental goals, circularity programs, and transparent reporting indicates that sustainability is little more than an afterthought.
If you're looking for trendy styles without the massive ethical and environmental footprint, here are several brands offering more responsible fashion:
Offering on-trend dresses and apparel, Reformation is Climate Neutral Certified and uses sustainable materials like Tencel and recycled fabrics. The brand provides detailed sustainability reports and maintains transparent production practices.
Shop now at thereformation.com
Known for its minimalist essentials, Everlane practices "radical transparency" by revealing the costs and factory locations for its products. It focuses on durable quality and uses a high percentage of recycled and sustainable materials.
Shop now at everlane.com
A fair trade pioneer, People Tree guarantees fair wages and good working conditions with its WFTO certification. It uses 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and natural materials, creating timeless styles that are made to last.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
A certified B Corp, tentree plants ten trees for every item sold and uses sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp, and Tencel. It offers comfortable basics and activewear with a transparent and ethical supply chain.
Shop now at tentree.com
Focusing on high-quality wardrobe staples made from Egyptian cotton, Kotn is a B Corp that ensures fair labor practices by working directly with farmers in Egypt. Its transparent supply chain empowers communities and creates durable, timeless products.
Shop now at kotn.com
Thought creates contemporary clothing using sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp, and recycled polyester. The brand is committed to a transparent supply chain and ethical manufacturing principles.
Shop now at wearethought.com
Trendyol's low prices are a result of its fast fashion model: mass production volumes, the use of inexpensive synthetic materials, and sourcing from countries with extremely low labor costs. These prices do not reflect the true environmental and social cost of the clothing.
While Trendyol and Shein are different companies, they share similar ultra-fast fashion business models. Both operate primarily online, use data to churn out thousands of trendy styles rapidly, and rely on opaque supply chains with low prices that raise significant ethical and sustainability concerns.
Trendyol's private label brands occasionally market items with recycled materials, but this makes up less than 15% of its total product offerings. Without certifications, transparency, or a commitment to addressing its overproduction model, these small efforts are considered greenwashing.
