If you’ve noticed any recent trends in fashion, you know that sustainability is the hot topic of the moment. With discussions swirling about fast fashion, ethical production, and everything in between, consumers are more concerned than ever about how sustainable their fashion choices are. That concern extends to promotional apparel as well.

As with anything else, there are degrees to sustainability. Some manufacturers only produce clothing made with renewable materials or are incredibly transparent about their labor practices. Others make an effort to use recycled components where possible. Whatever they choose to do, sustainability, like other eco-conscious measures such as low-waste living and recycling, doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing game.

Choosing sustainable options for apparel when you can is a great way to make a difference in the fashion industry. Unfortunately, the least expensive options are often the least sustainable from an environmental and labor standpoint. However, by increasing your budget by just a tiny amount, you can choose recycled items. If you have more room in your budget, you can go for items that are transparently produced domestically with renewable materials.

If you’re thinking to yourself, “there’s no way promotional apparel can be sustainable,” we wouldn’t blame you – but give us a chance to change your mind. Promotional apparel might have a reputation for being wasteful or polyester and plastic, but the fact is that it’s not that way across the board. There are plenty of eco-friendly, sustainable, and ethical options available for companies desiring promotional apparel or uniforms.

Here are a couple of our favorite sustainable or environmentally-friendly promotional shirt options: