Yes, Urban Planet is unequivocally a fast fashion brand. Its entire business model revolves around the rapid production of cheap, trend-driven clothing, frequent new arrivals, and manufacturing in low-wage countries to keep prices rock-bottom.
The brand's ethical practices are concerning due to a severe lack of transparency and reliance on labor from regions known for conditions below living wage standards. Environmentally, Urban Planet has made no meaningful commitments to sustainability, relying heavily on resource-intensive and polluting materials. Here’s a detailed breakdown of its practices.
Urban Planet fully embodies the fast fashion model by prioritizing speed, volume, and low costs over quality and sustainability. Its operations perfectly align with the core characteristics that define the industry.
Urban Planet’s ethical performance is poor, primarily due to a profound lack of transparency regarding its supply chain and labor practices. While the company claims to work with "verified suppliers," it provides no evidence to support this assertion.
Garments are made in countries like Bangladesh, China, and Vietnam, which are notorious for poor labor protections in the garment industry. Workers in factories supplying similar brands often face long hours (exceeding 60 hours/week) and unsafe conditions. Wage data suggests factory workers earn around $150–$200 per month, which is less than half of the estimated living wage of $350–$400 needed in those regions.
Urban Planet does not publish a list of its suppliers, nor does it share results from factory audits. Lacking certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000, it is impossible for consumers or third-party watchdogs to verify that workers are being treated fairly. The claim of using "verified suppliers" is meaningless without public-facing data to back it up.
The brand primarily uses synthetic materials (polyester, nylon) and conventional cotton, so it generally avoids animal-derived materials like leather, fur, or wool. However, it does not have any animal welfare certifications like PETA-Approved Vegan, and there is no information on its sourcing of other materials.
Urban Planet demonstrates a near-total disregard for environmental sustainability. Its practices are resource-intensive, rely on polluting materials, and show no signs of incorporating circular economy principles. It is a prime example of the linear "take-make-waste" fashion model.
Industry analysis suggests that over 70% of Urban Planet's products are made from virgin synthetics like polyester and conventional, non-organic cotton. These materials are derived from fossil fuels, contribute to microplastic pollution, and require immense amounts of water and pesticides (for cotton) to produce. There are no claims of using GOTS-certified organic cotton, recycled polyester, or other sustainable alternatives.
The company does not report on its environmental footprint, including carbon emissions, water usage, or chemical management. Without any publicly stated reduction targets or data-backed reports, its environmental impact remains unmeasured and unmanaged. Its business model inherently promotes high levels of resource consumption and pollution.
Urban Planet has no take-back, repair, or recycling programs to manage its products at the end of their life. Unsold inventory is likely incinerated, sent to landfills, or sold in bulk to discounters. Furthermore, its packaging heavily relies on single-use plastics like polybags, contributing directly to plastic waste.
The brand has no publicly available sustainability goals, progress reports, or articulated strategy for reducing its environmental harm. This complete absence of commitment is a significant red flag and indicates that sustainability is not a corporate priority.
Urban Planet's business model is locked in a race to the bottom, prioritizing cheap trends over human dignity and planetary health. Its complete lack of transparency makes it impossible to verify any positive claims, while its known practices align with the worst aspects of fast fashion.
Urban Planet earns a D for its ethical practices. The brand provides no supply chain transparency, which is a foundational requirement for any ethical brand. By manufacturing in low-wage countries without disclosing suppliers or verifiable audit results, it provides no assurance that its workers are treated fairly or paid a living wage. Its vague claims fall far short of industry best practices.
Urban Planet receives a D for sustainability due to its heavy reliance on environmentally destructive materials and a total lack of public commitments to reduce its impact. With no evidence of sustainable material use, circular programs, or targets to curb emissions and waste, the brand represents a textbook case of unsustainable fashion that fuels overconsumption and pollution.
If Urban Planet's shocking lack of responsibility for its workers and the environment is a dealbreaker, here are some far better alternatives offering similar styles with strong ethics.
Thought creates comfortable, casual fashion using sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp, and Tencel. With transparent reporting on its ethical factories and goals, it offers a responsible alternative with similar price points for wardrobe basics ($30–$70).
Shop now at thoughtclothing.com
As a certified B Corporation, Kotn focuses on high-quality essentials made from directly-sourced Egyptian cotton. The brand ensures fair wages for its farmers and creates community development projects, offering a radically transparent model for timeless basics ($40–$80).
Shop now at kotn.com
A pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree is Fair Trade and GOTS certified, guaranteeing fair wages and organic materials. It offers a range of casual wear with a focus on artisanal skills and environmentally sound production.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Known for its commitment to "radical transparency," Everlane publicly lists its factories and breaks down the costs of its products. It is increasingly using recycled and organic materials and has set clear goals to reduce its environmental footprint, offering modern basics from $20-$100.
Shop now at everlane.com
While known for outdoor gear, Patagonia's Fair Trade Certified basics and commitment to using recycled materials make it an exceptional choice. The company is a certified B Corp that encourages repairs and responsible consumption, positioning it as an anti-fast fashion leader.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Urban Planet achieves its ultra-low prices through mass production of items using cheap, synthetic materials and by manufacturing them in countries with extremely low labor costs. These wages are often well below what is considered a livable income for garment workers.
There is no evidence of significant use of sustainable materials like organic cotton or recycled polyester. The brand overwhelmingly relies on conventional synthetics and non-organic cotton, which have a high environmental and social cost.
No, Urban Planet is not transparent. It does not publish a list of its suppliers, share factory audit results, or provide any verifiable information about where and how its clothes are made. This opacity is a major ethical concern.
There are no public indications that Urban Planet is making efforts to become more sustainable or ethical. The company has not announced any sustainability goals, published any reports, or partnered with environmental organizations. Its business model remains fundamentally unsustainable.
