Hello Eco-friendly shoppers! This week, let’s focus on sustainability! Fast fashion has been creating lots of waste, and there is a heavy toll on our environment. According to Business Insider, “Fashion production makes up 10% of humanity’s carbon emissions, dries up water sources, and pollutes rivers and streams”. These alarming statistics make it even more important for consumers to be mindful of which brands they shop from. Zankhna Designs is a major supporter of all things green and sustainable. We are constantly finding new ways to reuse our materials,  create sustainable packaging, and build up other brands in their green efforts. In this blog, we shine the spotlight on fashion brand, Athleta and their commendable sustainability efforts. One of Athleta’s corporate core values is ‘Sustainability Sustains Us.’ Their website features various sustainable categories for each clothing group such as sustainable bottoms, sustainable tops, sustainable dresses, and sustainable jackets. This is a great way to give customers a clear view of what they offer, so that they can make an informed decision when they purchase and help the spread of sustainable practices. How is Athleta creating sustainable clothing? The answer is plastic bottles! Athleta’s sustainable clothing line is made up of 76% sustainable materials such as Recycled Polyester, Recycled Nylon, Econylo, Tencel Lyocell and Tencel Modal, Organic Cotton, Primaloft Eco Insulation, and Responsible Down. What are these fibers you may ask? Recycled polyester is polyester created from empty recycled plastic bottles. These recycled bottles also produce the light-weight sustainable fiber Primaloft Eco insulation. Recycled Nylon is the excess fabric scraps and fibers collected in the production factories. Econylo is made from used and discarded nylon such as used fish nets and is 100% regenerated into a produce-able nylon fabric. Tencel are cellulosic fibers that are grown from trees in sustainably controlled forests. Organic cotton is cotton grown without any harsh chemicals, helping maintain healthy ecosystems. Lastly, Responsible Down is natural insulation that follows a set of standards that protect animals from any harm. Zankhna Designs support brands with such ethical and green values; we too are working to incorporate eco friendly habits into our production and values. Here are three sustainable Athleta pieces that can be paired with our exclusive Zaftan collection and be dressed up or down. 1. Skyline Plaid Pant II. One of Athleta’s bottoms from their sustainable line is the stylish Skyline Plaid Pant II. These pants are great for being dressed up for a lunch date, or dressed down for a day full of errands. Not only are they stylish and eco-friendly, but they also pair perfectly with Zaftan’s Ela cape. Throw on a some sunglasses and you’re all set! 2. Renew Support Top. The Renew Support Top is a high quality top that is made solely from recycled polyester. This top can serve many purposes such as lounge wear, athletic wear, and under wear. It goes well with Zaftan’s Veera Top as the perfect cami and undershirt. 3. Sculptek Ultra Skinny Jean. The Sculptek Ultra Skinny Jean  are good for the environment and for your style! These jeans are sustainably made from a cotton, polyester, and spandex blend.  Match these jeans with Zaftan’s comfy and stylish Swara blouse; put on some accessories and you’re all ready! With global climate change, it has become even more critical to follow green practices in all aspects of our life including fashion. Athleta’s sustainable clothing line is a huge step in creating Eco-friendly fashion throughout the industry; and Athleta doesn’t stop there! They also focus on sustainable water and waste techniques. In 2018 Athleta introduced Washwell water techniques  that reduced their water usage by 20%. Regarding waste, they have created a way for 705 of their packaging waste to avoid landfills through recycled and biodegradable packages. Athleta wants to continue their efforts in sustainability as they stated “We set ambitious goals to challenge ourselves-and others to work differently. And we’re making great progress. But we’re also constantly looking for new ways to support our planet and the people who live here”. Like Athleta, Zankhna Designs is a socially conscious and pro-green company. We believe in giving back to our community, recycling unused fabrics, producing elegant and timeless clothing that is not disposable fashion hence decreasing our footprint on this earth and using green packaging (cloth zippered pouches). We support any brand that is taking steps in creating a cleaner world and fashion industry. Follow our Socially Responsible Shopper’s Checklist above to ensure you are shopping with sustainable brands. Start shopping green and clean with Zaftan and Athleta, and share your thoughts with us on social media!