Sustainability
Climb Clean: The Eco-Credentials
As climbers, we live by the "Leave No Trace" ethos. Whether we’re cleaning a chalk-caked hold or packing out someone else’s rubbish from the base of the crag, we care about the environment we play in. At Knot Qualified, we believe your gear stash should reflect those values.
That is why we chose the Stanley/Stella STTU169 (The Freestyler) as the canvas for our heavy-weight designs. It isn't just about the premium feel; it’s about a commitment to a supply chain that is as "bomber" as a well-placed cam.
The Fabric: Globally Recognized Standards 🌍
We don’t just take a brand’s word for it; we look for the gold standards of ethical production. For our apparel, we only accept globally recognized certifications to ensure your tee is truly eco-friendly and vegan-compliant:
- GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard): This is the leading certification for organic textiles. It ensures ecological and social responsibility throughout the entire supply chain, from the field to the finished shirt. It even limits what non-organic fibers can be blended into the fabric.
- OCS (Organic Content Standard): This confirms the exact presence and amount of organic material in the garment. It tracks the material from its source all the way to the final product on your back.
- GRS & RCS (Recycled Standards): Both verify the content and "chain of custody" for recycled materials. The GRS (Global Recycled Standard) goes a step further by adding requirements for social and environmental practices, including strict chemical restrictions.
- Cruelty-Free & PETA-Approved Vegan: We believe in protecting all inhabitants of the outdoors. That is why our Stanley/Stella apparel is made using PETA-Approved Vegan blanks. This certification ensures that no animal tests were conducted on the materials and no animal-derived fibers were used in the production of the garment. By choosing these certified blanks, we ensure our gear is as kind to animals as it is to the environment.
The Print: What is OEKO-TEX®? 🌱
You’ve likely seen the label, but what does it mean for your skin and the crag? For our DTG (Direct to Garment) range, we use Kornit Water-based and NeoPigment inks.
These inks are OEKO-TEX™ certified, which provides two massive benefits:
- Safety First: They are certified safe even for children’s clothing.
- Environmental Impact: They help reduce environmental waste during the printing process.
These inks don't just protect the planet; they perform. They offer high colorfastness with an AATCC rating of 4, meaning your tee will stay vibrant and long-lasting through years of washes and approaches.
No Excess Gear: The Power of Print on Demand 🖨️
In the traditional apparel world, thousands of shirts are printed in advance, often ending up in landfills if they don't sell. We think that’s a "technical fail" for the planet.
At Knot Qualified, we operate on a Print on Demand (POD) model. This means:
- Zero Waste: Your gear doesn't exist until you order it. We don't maintain a massive warehouse of "dead stock" waiting to be discarded.
- Reduced Carbon Footprint: By printing only what is needed, we significantly reduce the energy and resources required for mass production and storage.
- Precision Manufacturing: Like a perfectly executed lead climb, we only use the resources necessary to get the job done.
By choosing POD, we ensure that every Stanley/Stella STTU169 or Bella + Canvas shirt we produce has a home and a purpose, keeping unnecessary waste off the mountain and out of the bin.
Why It Matters
When you choose a Stanley/Stella STTU169 backprint tee from us, you aren't just getting a heavyweight, streetwear-ready shirt. You’re supporting a system that prioritizes organic materials, limits harmful chemicals, and ensures the people making your gear are treated with social responsibility.
It’s technical apparel with a clean conscience. Because at the end of the day, we want the peaks we climb to be around a lot longer than our favorite t-shirts.
Shop the Sustainable Collection ➡️