Groundwork for Impact Reporting

Hey Earth Keepers,

Happy Summer Solstice! It’s hot here in the Front Range and definitely feels like summer is in full swing.

I’ve been reflecting on what it means to walk my talk as a brand rooted in Earth Medicine. For me, that includes not just the stories behind the art and the healing traditions we celebrate, but also how we physically operate in the world. From the tags on our garments to the bags we hand you at events, I’ve been thinking deeply about waste, overproduction, and the long-term vision of creating an apparel company that respects the planet.

We’re not perfect, but we’re committed. And we take our responsibility of being part of the crew of Spaceship Earth seriously. Keep reading to learn more about the steps we’re taking to stay committed to our company values.

But first… Boulder Pride was hot and spirited.

And we’re so grateful to Rocky Mountain Equality for hosting us. A lot of folks were drawn to our King of the Heart design, plus we sold some of our new limited edition Kambô Maestro triblend shirts. We spoke with folks who have had their lives impacted by Kambô, some who have also been to Peru, and others who just love frogs. One person reflected back “so this is the most sustainable and ethical garment I own now?!” and went home with a Large Unisex Tri-blend King of the Heart tank.

We met a lot of conscious shoppers who asked excellent questions about our sourcing, about the stories behind each design, and about our impact mission.

Conscious Choices in Every Package

From day one, we’ve chosen packaging that supports our values:

🛍 100% post-consumer paper shopping bags – recyclable, minimalist, and plastic-free - but we encourage you to use your own bag when possible (or purchase one of our limited edition Kambô y Toé 100% Recycled Cotton Book Totes).
📦 Recycled and recyclable mailers – made right here in Colorado, we're sourcing packaging made from post-consumer and recyclable materials for online sales.
📎 Hangtags made from recycled paper and soy-based inks – pinned with twine and a reusable safety pin, not plastic fasteners

When you order from us or visit our booth, know that every detail—from your hangtag to your shipping envelope—was designed to have as little environmental impact as possible.

Measuring Our Waste (Literally)

Behind the scenes, we’re tracking the plastic waste that comes through our studio. One ½ gallon Ball jar at a time. Currently, since officially launching on June 7, we have accumulated about 1.5 pounds of plastic waste.

Every sticker backing, twist tie, and stray piece of shrink wrap that crosses our path gets collected, not tossed. It’s our way of staying honest with ourselves. We believe that what gets measured gets transformed. This ritual of tracking is laying the groundwork for future impact reports as we aim to be transparent.

Soon we’ll be tracking our carbon footprint for events and our online business. For now, we’re taking our corrugated cardboard waste and utilizing about 1/3 of it for sheet mulching, and recycling the rest at our local facility.

Working with Makers Who Care

We also made a deliberate choice to source our blank garments from suppliers that are deeply committed to the health of the planet. Some of our garments are Climeco Certified, a product certification program that verifies and recognizes products that have undergone a rigorous assessment of their carbon footprint and demonstrate a commitment to reducing and offsetting their environmental impact. Others are 100% made in the USA from organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo, made in FLA Accreditation and WRAP Certified facilities.

Other qualities we look for in garment suppliers are those who:

• Utilize recycled materials like plastic bottles and recycled cotton

• Include materials, like modal made from sustainable beech trees and organic cotton

• Reduce water usage and chemical runoff in dyeing processes

• Operate with renewable energy

• Keep fabric waste out of landfills

• Offer transparency into their global supply chain

• Guarantee fair labor and investments into local communities

• And we pledge to never source garments that use cotton from China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

We are committed to our Values while not sacrificing quality or comfort.

We Print Less, With Intention

We believe in limited runs, mindful scaling, and honoring the idea that your clothes should mean something. That’s why we’re releasing small-batch designs and working with local print shops (within 50 miles) that:

• Use water-wise inks and techniques

• Reduce pre-consumer waste

• Share our values of people-first production

By printing in smaller quantities, we reduce the risk of overproduction while preserving the collectibility and story of each design.

Our Roadmap to Deeper Impact

This is just the beginning. Our vision includes building systems for deeper impact tracking and transparency, so our customers, collaborators, and community can follow the ripple effects of every dollar, design, and donation.

We’re on the road to more detailed reporting—not because it’s trendy, but because it’s necessary. And because this brand isn’t just about making art. It’s about creating art that supports the Earth and uplifts the people working to heal it. Thank you for being part of the journey.

With heart,

Founder, Earth Medicine Apparel Co.
Apparel as Medicine for Planetary Health^TM