Ethical decisions are moral decisions. They are taken for the betterment of society.
Ethics in the fashion industry revolves around making sure that fashion companies do not compromise on safety and quality. Harmful practices such as dumping waste products in water bodies, cruelty against animals, unequal pay, discrimination, and forced labor are unethical.
What materials does Aritzia use in making its products? Do they conserve water, use animal fur, waste cotton, treat their products with harmful chemicals, and pay their workers a fair and livable wage? These are all questions that will help us assess how ethical Aritzia is.
Is Aritzia Ethical
An ethical company cares about taking moral decisions and reducing whatever damage its activities may cause. When considering Aritzia, we will look at important indicators and the bearing of such indicators on their production methods.
About Aritzia:
Aritzia was founded in1984. The brand has always described itself as ethical and they have a whole website page dedicated to showcasing their sustainability efforts.
The brand released a statement in 2020 stating that they have reduced their carbon emissions and are exploring sustainable and eco-friendly methods of production. Their website also lists “upholding human rights” as one of their priorities in ensuring a sustainable and healthy workplace.
Although Aritzia has made efforts to portray itself as an ethical company, it should be noted that those efforts are not enough to praise them or commend them. The brand is not an unapologetic fast-fashion brand, but it also skirts the unseen line between fast fashion and ethical brands.
Assessing Aritzia Ethical Claims
We will consider how ethical and sustainable Aritzia’s production methods are. These methods will be evaluated based on their effects on the environment, workers, and animal protection.
Environmental Impact
Fashion brands are notorious for using harmful chemicals while making their products. Some of them use non-sustainable raw materials or even treat the materials with harmful substances.
What materials does Aritzia use?
Aritzia uses Tencel, which is an eco-friendly material. However, it has neglected to elaborate on specific steps and actions taken to stop harmful chemicals during production.
The company has to be more transparent in its use of water and efficient use of cotton to limit or reduce wastage. Aritzia also claims to have found alternatives to excessive carbon emissions. However, its carbon emissions show little sign of reducing.
Therefore, Aritzia has been vague and unhelpful towards helping us chart their sustainability goals. And some steps that have been adopted by the company are decidedly not enough for them to be called an ethical company.
Labor Conditions
Aritzia’s supplier code of conduct reveals the framework through which the company’s suppliers are governed. It affirms commitment to getting rid of all forms of discrimination, including unequal pay.
Ideal Scenario:
All suppliers must adhere to international labor conventions, guarantee the health, safety, and human rights of their employees and also pay their workers livable wages. There must also be no incidences of racism, discrimination, or inequality. However, while these are commendable actions and initiatives, they cannot be realistically assessed.
The code of conduct has also been dismissed by some experts as laughable. It states what suppliers should and should not do, but it does not seek to make sure the code of conduct is adhered to.
Aritzia’s Claim:
Aritzia condemns child labor and other unfair or harmful labor practices, but it has not furnished the public with the locations of its factories and plants.
What does Aritzia really do?
There are speculations that Aritzia produces in cities and countries that allow child labor and payment of unfair wages. The speculation will continue to gain weight until the brand publishes a list of all its factories and their locations.
In terms of labor conditions, Aritzia’s lack of transparency and refusal to publish relevant information on its activities pose a significant stumbling block.
Animal Protection
Aritzia has since 2011 banned fur, wool, leather, and animals in their products. This is in consideration of their animal-friendly policies. Although these actions are commendable, the company does not have a comprehensive plan to combat cruelty against animals.
The brand’s general statement affirms its commitment to reducing animal suffering. If their prohibition on fur, animal down and leather is any sign, we can say that the brand is on the right path.
Cruelty-Free Certifications:
Despite their efforts and claims, they have not been certified by any animal rights campaigners or organizations.
Conclusion
It is important to know the company you are patronizing. Aritzia is better than most fast fashion brands, but it is hampered by its lack of transparency and lack of a credible policy on cruelty against animals. The company’s code of conduct emphasizes the importance of keeping workers happy and paying fair wages.
They also give information on how they plan to manage waste disposal, but while these are steps in the right direction, they are not enough. In light of their shortcomings, we cannot declare Aritzia to be wholly ethical.
