Localized, Sustainable Fashion : Made in LA

WORDS: SCOTT TRAUSCH

How Everywhere is Reducing Supply Chain Emissions and Waste

Default TextThe global fashion supply chain has long been a leading contributor to carbon emissions and environmental waste. From extensive water use to transportation emissions and fabric waste, the impact of traditional apparel manufacturing is staggering.

Keep reading to understand the environmental impact of global fashion supply chains and how our localized operations in Los Angeles and Mexico help reduce carbon emissions, conserve resources, and foster eco-friendly practices.

Unsustainable Fashion Supply Chains

In terms of greenhouse gasses, the global fashion industry accounts for an estimated 3% to 8% of the total global emissions (1). And, if the status quo is maintained within the industry, this could grow to account for more than 26% of the planetary carbon budget associated with a 2C global warming limit (2).

Digging deeper into the numbers, it’s clear that a majority of fashion’s carbon footprint arises from inefficient, widely dispersed global supply chains. The complexity involved with transporting of fabrics and garments to and from production points means that 96% of the total emissions of the fashion brands are in Scope 3 (3), which largely occurs in the industry’s supply chain.

And the concern extends beyond just what fashion and textile supply chains produce. What they consume is just as important, especially when looking at an essential and increasingly scarce natural resource: fresh water.

According to a 2018 report assessing water utilization across the fashion value chain – including fiber production, yarn preparation, fabric production, dyeing & finishing, assembly, and distribution – the textile value chain drinks up roughly 215 trillion liters of freshwater each year (4).

Fashion and textile’s massive and growing need for freshwater sits uncomfortably against the backdrop of meteorological data showing that 2023 was the driest year for global rivers in over three decades (5). And, over the past five years, river flows have consistently fallen below average levels, with reservoir inflows showing a similar decline. This trend limits the water supply available for communities, agriculture, and ecosystems, putting additional pressure on global water resources.

Localized Supply Chains Alleviate Fashion’s Environmental Impact

At Everywhere, we recognize that change is essential. By localizing our supply chain, we are taking major strides to minimize our environmental footprint, proving that the apparel industry can adapt to implement sustainability at scale.

From initial garment shredding, to fabric production, and local partnerships, our model is helping to free fashion supply chains from embodied greenhouse gas production and excessive water consumption.

Localized Knit, Cut, and Sew Operations in Los Angeles

Everywhere has streamlined its knit, cut, and sew processes by keeping these operations entirely within Los Angeles. By doing so, we limit the miles our raw materials and finished products need to travel, reducing our carbon footprint significantly. In fact, in the two years since we’ve been a certified Climate Neutral company, we’ve cut our emissions intensity (kgCO2e per dollar of value added) by over 300% (6).

Our CirCot™ fabric—a proprietary 100% recycled cotton—undergoes a unique process of color sorting and recycling to eliminate the need for dyeing. This technique conserves water and eliminates harmful chemicals, allowing us to repurpose post-industrial and post-consumer cotton into new yarn with minimal resource input.

After being knit into fabric, each garment is cut and sewn in LA, ensuring high quality and rigorous sustainability standards. Our localized production model not only reinforces our commitment to sustainable, landfill-neutral fashion but also strengthens the local economy and creates high-quality, responsibly produced garments.

Partnering Locally for Eco-Friendly Decoration Within a 10-Mile Radius

Beyond production, Everywhere also collaborates locally on garment decoration through a trusted network of Los Angeles-based partners. All our decoration suppliers are located within a 10-mile radius of our headquarters, making our operations both energy-efficient and eco-friendly. We work with local partners like DTLA Print to decorate our products efficiently and in a hyperlocalized supply chain.

By working with nearby decorators, we avoid emissions associated with long-distance transportation, further reducing the environmental impact of our supply chain. These partnerships allow for timely collaboration and quality control, ensuring that each order of custom t shirts, hoodies, or other apparel reflects our high standards.

Our localized approach emphasizes efficiency and also strengthens relationships within the LA fashion and decoration community, proving that sustainable fashion can support local economies while reducing environmental impact.

Shredding and Spinning CirCot™ Yarn Near the Fiber Source in Mexico

An essential part of our sustainable process is our unique CirCot™ yarn, spun from mechanically recycled cotton waste. The fiber shredding and spinning take place near the raw material source in Mexico, at a facility certified by the Global Recycle Standard (GRS).

This proximity to the fiber source allows us to reduce both transportation needs and the energy required to produce the yarn. Unlike traditional cotton, CirCot™ yarn is naturally colored without the need for chemical dyes, which saves water and reduces chemical runoff.

By conducting fiber processing near its origin, we align with a circular economy model, emphasizing resource efficiency and reducing waste. Every step—from shredding waste fabric to spinning it into new yarn—reflects our commitment to sustainability, lowering our supply chain’s overall impact and supporting eco-friendly garment production.

Sustainability Starts at the Source

At Everywhere, sustainability isn’t an afterthought; it’s embedded in every stage of our localized supply chain. By prioritizing close-to-source manufacturing, partnering with local decorators, and recycling fiber waste near its origin, we are challenging industry norms and proving that sustainable fashion can start at the source. This holistic approach not only reduces carbon emissions but also supports a future where the apparel industry can thrive while respecting our planet.