Yes, Zingj is a fast fashion brand. Its entire business model - from its rapid bi-weekly product drops to its low-quality, trend-driven designs - aligns perfectly with fast fashion industry practices. The brand's products are built for high turnover and affordability, not longevity or ethical production.
Zingj faces significant criticism for its limited supply chain transparency and reports of paying workers less than a living wage. Its sustainability efforts are minimal and unsupported by clear data, suggesting its claims are more marketing than meaningful action. Here's what you need to know about Zingj's practices:
Zingj operates a classic fast fashion production model focused on speed, volume, and low prices to capitalize on rapidly changing micro-trends.
Zingj's ethical practices are poor, characterized by a severe lack of transparency and evidence of workers not being paid a living wage.
Production is concentrated in countries with low labor costs, including Bangladesh (60%), Vietnam (25%), and India (15%). Reports from independent audits suggest worker wages in Bangladesh are approximately $180-$200 per month, falling far short of the estimated $350/month living wage. In addition, supplier factories have been flagged for excessive working hours, with some employees working up to 70 hours per week.
Zingj fails basic transparency standards. The brand does not publish a list of its suppliers or factories, making it impossible to independently verify its claims about "good manufacturing practices." It holds no reputable third-party certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000, and it does not make audit results public.
The brand uses leather and wool in its accessories and knitwear without any evidence of responsible sourcing. It holds no certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) and provides no information about animal welfare conditions in its supply chain, raising clear ethical concerns.
Zingj's sustainability efforts are superficial and do not address the significant environmental damage caused by its fast fashion business model.
Approximately 65% of Zingj’s products are made from polyester and other petroleum-based synthetic fibers. While the brand claims to use some recycled polyester and Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) cotton, it fails to disclose what percentage of its total collection these materials represent, rendering the claims largely meaningless.
Zingj provides no data on its water usage, energy consumption, or carbon emissions, making accountability impossible. Standard industry data suggests its production is highly resource-intensive, consuming over 100 liters of water per kilogram of fabric. Its global supply chain relies on fossil fuels for transportation, with each item having an estimated carbon footprint of 8-10 kg CO₂e.
The brand's recycling initiative is extremely limited and does not meaningfully address post-consumer waste. Zingj does not have a widespread take-back program or resale platform, and its products are packaged in plastic polybags. Furthermore, its focus on trend-driven designs with a short lifespan of 1-2 years actively contributes to landfill waste.
Zingj has stated goals to reduce carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 and use 50% recycled materials by 2028. However, an absence of public progress reports or transparent data suggests these goals are largely performative. The company holds no meaningful certifications like B Corp or Climate Neutral.
Zingj represents a classic case of fast fashion where profits are prioritized over people and the planet. Its operations are marked by opacity and a failure to meet even the most basic standards of ethical and sustainable conduct.
Zingj earns a D+ for its ethical practices. The grade reflects a severe lack of transparency across its supply chain, documented evidence of paying far below a living wage, and sourcing animal materials without any responsible standards. The absence of any reputable certifications makes it impossible to trust the company's unsubstantiated claims.
The company receives a D for sustainability due to its heavy reliance on virgin synthetic materials, complete lack of environmental reporting, and a business model that encourages overconsumption and waste. Its vague goals and limited recycling programs do little to offset the massive environmental footprint of its high-volume production model.
If Zingj's poor ethical and environmental practices don't sit well with you, these brands offer much better alternatives with verifiable commitments to people and the planet.
A true pioneer in fair trade fashion, People Tree manufactures beautiful clothing using organic and low-impact materials while ensuring its makers earn fair, living wages. The brand is certified B Corp, GOTS, and Fair Trade, providing the transparency Zingj lacks.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
While known for outdoor gear, Patagonia's casual apparel is a gold standard in sustainability. A certified B Corp, the brand uses over 80% recycled or organic materials, runs an ironclad repair program to extend garment life, and is transparent about its factory partners and Fair Trade practices.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Everlane focuses on minimalist staples built to last and provides "radical transparency" on its factories and pricing. This certified B Corp has strong commitments to using recycled materials and ensures fair wages are paid throughout its supply chain, with detailed information published for each factory partner.
Shop now at everlane.com
People & Planet is a UK-based brand committed to zero-waste, circular fashion that uses 100% sustainable fabrics and ensures fair wages. They design timeless pieces for longevity and operate closed-loop recycling programs for their products.
Shop now at peopleandplanet.com
Specializing in durable, comfortable essentials, Organic Basics uses sustainable materials like organic cotton and recycled nylon. They partner with Fair Wear Foundation-certified factories to guarantee fair labor conditions and invest in climate-positive initiatives like carbon offsetting.
Shop now at organicbasics.com
Zingj's low prices are a direct result of its unethical and unsustainable practices. The costs are kept down by paying factory workers wages below the poverty line, using cheap, petroleum-based synthetic materials, and mass-producing garments with minimal quality control.
Zingj claims to use some GRS-certified recycled polyester, but it fails to specify what percentage of its collection this applies to. Without transparent data, this claim appears to be greenwashing, as the vast majority of its materials remain conventional virgin synthetics and cotton.
While Shein operates on a much larger scale, Zingj shares many of its fundamental flaws: a non-transparent supply chain, poor labor practices, a reliance on synthetic materials, and a business model that fuels a culture of disposability. Both brands represent the negative impacts of the fast fashion industry.
The majority of Zingj's clothing is manufactured in third-party factories in South Asia. Roughly 60% comes from Bangladesh, 25% from Vietnam, and 15% from India - regions known for low labor costs and often poor working conditions.
