utah resources
Find Sustainable Clothing in Salt Lake City
There is a lot to know about how to make your wardrobe more sustainable. Multiple factors such as type of fabric along with dyeing and/or finishing methods determine how eco-friendly and non-toxic your clothing is. For a primer on the huge problem that is fast fashion and waste created by our threads, ways you can change your own habits, and some of the great brands you can feel good about buying from, click here.
In a nutshell, clothing sustainability is achieved by:
- Buying less
- Thrift shopping
- Choosing items made from sustainably-sourced natural fabrics, such as cotton, linen, or hemp.
- Ideally having a certfication such a OEKO-TEX or bluesign to verify that no toxic chemicals were used in production.
- Selling or donating unwanted clothes
- Recycling (or even composting) unsalvageable pieces
Buying less
- Go for quality over quantity.
- Make mindful purchases. Don’t purchase things you really don’t need, and only buy clothing that you love and are sure you will wear.
- Borrow or rent clothing that you will only wear once, such as formalwear. There are lots of local bridal stores that offer tuxedo and formal gown rentals, including local businesses like Bling it On or Utah Gowns. For other types of clothing, from vacation outfits to maternity clothes, or just regular casualwear and accessories, try an online company such as Rent the Runway.
Salt Lake City-based sustainable clothing brands
Utah is home to a number of noteworthy sustainable clothing companies, each with its unique ethos and design philosophy, founded and headquartered within the beehive state. These brands stand out for their commitment to quality and sustainable materials and business practices. From outdoor gear designed for the rugged landscapes of Utah to chic urban wear, these companies contribute significantly to the local economy while making a mark on the fashion industry.
Founded in SLC, the adventure brand Cotopaxi is a standout in sustainable practices. This company uses recycled, repurposed, or responsibly sourced materials in 94% of their products, and plan to expand this to all products by 2025. Transparency regarding supply chains and company practices is commendable. The company displays their commitment to sustainable operations with numerous eco-certifications: they are a Certified B Corp, Fair Trade and Climate Neutral certified, and 1% for the planet member. Buy and trade-in pre-loved gear through the Mas Vida program.
This notable SLC-based outdoor brand remains a privately and independently owned company. KÜHL utilizes ethically sourced and produced materials, utilizing third-party certifications to ensure production facilities meet high standards in their practices. For example, down and wool is RDS and RWS certified and the company has commendably eliminated PFAS from their textiles. The corporate office houses a sew, sample, and repair room to extend the life of their products.
You might know Cariloha from their super soft bamboo bedding, and it turns out they make clothing as well. Their sustainable organic bamboo products are GOTS certified and free of chemicals, tested and certified by OEKO-TEX. The company is a Certified B Corp and Fair Trade certified.
Wild Tribute clothing, inspired by wild and historic places, can be purchased online or inside any National Park. Clothing is made with materials such as organic cotton or recycled polyester, and the majority is produced with low-impact dyes, natural wash methods, biodegradable fabric softeners, and natural enzymes for finishing. The company donates an impressive 4% of proceeds to support America’s parks, forests, and oceans.
Most Coalatree products are made from recycled or repurposed materials, designed in Salt Lake City, and produced both locally and at various locations around the world. Their manufacturing partners are ethical and eco-friendly factories that are bluesign certified, which translates to freedom from harsh and toxic chemicals. The company regularly donates blankets to the homeless in SLC.
More places to buy sustainable clothing in Salt Lake City
Read all about what makes clothing sustainable and find more awesome eco-conscious brands to try here.
Sustainable national clothing brands and products can be easy to find in SLC.
- Patagonia Outlet – Patagonia is a well-known frontrunner in corporate sustainability. They are Fair Trade certified, FSC certified, Bluesign member, all products meet Responsible Down Standard and Responsible Wool Standard, all cotton used is grown organically. They also have a great takeback program.
- REI – Carries many sustainable clothing brands, in addition to their own REI Co-op brand, which is Fair Trade certified and taking steps to combat climate change, eliminating waste, responsible sourcing, and more. One of these is a recent change—they no longer provide shopping bags in the store, so plan on bringing your own. You can also buy or trade in used gear.
- Nordstrom – You can find many eco-friendly clothing brands in their stores, including Marine Layer, tentree, and Madewell.
- Madewell – Fair Trade certified. By 2025, 100% of key fibers (60% at end of 2021) used in their products will be sustainably sourced and free of non-recycled plastics. Their thredUP program resells, repurposes, or recycles old clothing.
- Athleta – Certified B Corp, Fair Trade certified. Shop earth-conscious products that are made with at least 30% organic cotton, Tencel, or recycled nylon/polyester. Surprisingly, their parent company, Gap Inc., is also making great strides with their initiatives. The Gap has many clothing options made from organic cotton and recycled polyester.
Regardless of where you shop, do your best to avoid clothing made from synthetic materials like nylon and polyester, which are not biodegradable and leave behind microplastics. Instead look for items made from natural materials like cotton, wool, and hemp. Find everything you need to know about sustainable fabric types here.
Where to buy & sell used clothing in Salt Lake City
Vintage and thrift clothing extend garment lifecycles, reducing waste and the demand for new production, which in turn lowers resource use, energy consumption, and environmental pollution, making them very eco-friendly fashion choices. And of course, being less expensive than buying new pieces is an added bonus.
Salt Lake City Consignment Stores
- IconoCLAD – Two locations in SLC: 855 S State Street and 414 E 300 S. If your style is “weird, eclectic…bold, unique, or downright funky,” this store is for you. Consigners receive 50% of what their item sells for either in cash or store credit.
- Pib’s Exchange – Located in Sugarhouse at 1147 S Ashton Ave., this store has some great finds and is an especially great place to shop for Halloween costumes. I mean, I found a Members Only jacket in my husband’s size. They will offer you 30% of retail value in cash, or 55% as in-store credit.
- Name Droppers – Consignment for upscale, designer brands. Their main store is located at 3355 S Highland Drive, and an outlet store is found at 2350 E Parleys Way. Consigners will receive 40% on items priced under $100, 50% on items priced over $100 and 60% on items priced over $500 once items sell.
- Found N Kept – Find lightly used designer clothing, handbags & jewelry at this Millcreek consignment shop, located at 1332 S 2100 E. Receive 40% on consigned items.
- Uptown Cheapskate – This store is part of a national chain, but I’ve been told it’s the least picky of these, so if you don’t have any luck selling your stuff elsewhere, give it a try. There are locations in Sugarhouse (2120 S. 1300 E.) and Downtown (380 W. 200 S.), in addition to a handful of others along the Wasatch Front. They offer 25-35% of value in cash, or 25% more for trade-in.
- Preloved – Located at 834 E 9400 S #55 in Sandy. This shop has a different format than the others: You set up a booth with things you want to sell and the business will handle the rest, paying out 65% of sales.
- Patagonia Outlet – Found in Sugarhouse at 2292 Highland Dr. Take any brand items to the store, and if eligible for the Worn Wear takeback program, you can receive up to 50% of the resale price through credit to use in store or online at Patagonia or Worn Wear.
- REI – 3285 E 3300 S – You can buy used clothing and gear through the Re/Supply program, or trade in your stuff for an REI gift card.
Vintage clothing in Salt Lake City
- Shop Vintage – 1115 E 2100 S – As the name denotes, this shop specializes in vintage clothes and they will buy them outright if they are interested in what you have.
- Decades Vintage – 627 State St.
- Vintage Market – Biannual pop-up vintage secondhand handmade local marketplace; check Instagram account for next date/location.
- Uncommon – 2006 S 900 E
- Vantage Vintage – 774 E 800 S
Salt Lake City thrift shops
- The Other Side Boutique – Their two locations (Millcreek 3320 S 1300 E and Murray 4290 State St.) are run and managed by students and graduates of The Other Side Academy, a residential life skills and training program that addresses homelessness, criminal behavior and long-term addiction.
- Lillies of the Field – 1401 S Main St – This is a 501c3 that assists populations in need such as the homeless, mentally challenged, newly released prisoners, refugees, students, and seniors.
- Thrift Jam – a mobile thrift shop housed in a bus created by 2 USU students; learn more about them from this Salt Lake Tribune article
- Assistance League – 2090 E 3300 S – The shop provides about 65% of the funding for their eight philanthropic programs.
- Goodwill – 1850 W 1500 S, as well as other locations in the SL valley. In Utah, this organization provides job training and work for individuals with disabilities and low-income seniors; also assists families in the Provo school district who have infants or toddlers ages birth to 3 years old with developmental delays and/or disabilities through their Provo Early Intervention Program.
- Deseret Industries (DI) – Numerous locations throughout the state; in SLC at 743 W 700 S and Sugarhouse 2140 S 800 E. DI has partnerships with local community organizations, schools, and businesses, provides humanitarian aid.
- Savers – 3171 E 3300 S – Part of a national chain. Donations benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters
Where to donate clothes in Salt Lake City
Maybe you don’t want the hassle of selling your things, you’re feeling altruistic, you don’t need the cash, or any combination of these. Either way, there are a lot of clothing donation options in SLC.
- Thrift stores – as listed above.
- Donation bins – Big Brothers Big Sisters clothing donation bins, spread across the Wasatch Front
- Charities – Volunteers of America / YWCA (new items only) / IRC
- Homeless shelters – The Road Home / Rescue Mission of Salt Lake / Fourth Street Clinic
- Check with homeless shelters for seasonal needs. For example, we know they need coats and warm clothing in winter, but we often don’t think about hot weather needs in summer, like sunglasses and hats.
- Buy Nothing – This national organization has local chapters, and the Salt Lake County Facebook group is very active. It is a great place to gift unneeded clothing to someone that can benefit from them, especially baby and children’s clothing, and I think it feels better knowing that it is going to an actual person rather than a thrift shop where it may or may not be sold or end up in a landfill.
Bras can be taken to any of these places, in addition to Recycle Utah in Park City, who also accepts bras for The Bra Recyclers.
Donate old towels to Barley’s Canine Recreation Center, 2827 S 2300 E.
Textile recycling in Salt Lake City
Clothing recycling in Salt Lake City is extremely limited. Most options consist retailer-specific recycling programs that offer a discount or store credit, which you find a list of here, in addition to a compilation of mail-in textile recycling programs.
I have only found two places to drop off textile recycling locally.
- Savers – I was told by the Millcreek Savers that is ok to label your box or bag as ‘scrap’ and it would be recycled, although I am not sure what their process is.
- H&M – However, H&M has received a lot of criticism for allegedly sending clothing to landfills rather than recycling. If you choose to go this route, you can include any type of textiles (sheets, towels, scraps), not just clothing.
Some Goodwill stores may recycle unusable items; check with a store near you. I haven’t received a straighforward answer locally.
Shoe recycling
Salt Lake Running Co stores have a drop box for sneaker recycling. No other types of shoes are accepted.
The Nike store at the Outlets at Traverse Mountain in Lehi is one of a handful of Nike stores participating in their Recycling + Donation program. They accept gently worn or worn Nike athletic footwear. Not accepted are sandals, dress shoes, boots, or any shoes with metal (like cleats or spikes).