CARHARTT

Carhartt provided the factory workers with a good environment, good working conditions, and fair wages based on union negotiations. The goal was not just to be profitable, but to ​“do the just and fair thing”. If it would make profit it would be great.

It all started with simple denim overalls for machinists. Since then, the Carhartt family still makes workwear, but since 1989 they also make casual clothing that can be worn on a daily basis. Skaterboys are big fans of this American brand.

One third of the collections are produced in the brand’s own factory in Tunisia. The factory was SA8000 certified in 2014 (proof of which is not provided). This management system for compliance with social standards helps Carhartt to monitor working conditions in the factory. The brand also cooperates with suppliers in China, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Carhartt expects these suppliers to follow the signed Code of Conduct of the brand. This is based on the Core Conventions of the International Labour Organization and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Since 2017, the brand started to integrate organic cotton into its collections. Starting with the Spring/​Summer 2020 collection, the typical canvas cotton jackets and all workwear type trousers are made of organic cotton. Only with 100% cotton the fabric compositions are present and not with products with blends, this should be more transparent for the consumer. The brand has also been a member of the Better Cotton Initiative since 2017, but here at COSH! we are rather sceptical about this organisation as BCI only mentions that part of the cotton has to be of ​‘more sustainable’ origin; additionally, proof of their BCI membership is not provided anywhere.

Carhartt also has a Restricted Substance List, this list contains hazardous chemicals that the brand avoids during production. The brand also had its coatings tested and this showed that 80% was environmentally friendly and 20% was not. Carhartt is now doing its best to change this. We are curious.

For overseas transport, the brand uses shipping – and only in exceptional cases do it uses air transport. Since 2005, the roof of the head office, warehouse and facility in Weil am Rhein has gradually been covered with solar panels, which today covers an area of approximately ten thousand square meters.

The warehouse is fully equipped with the latest technology to reduce waste. All shipping boxes are made from 65 – 77% recycled material, depending on the size of the box. Besides this, they also have a line of clothing made of fully monomaterial cotton, which makes it easier to recycle the garment at end of use. 

Carhartt produces 1/​3rd of its clothing in their own factory in Tunisia, however also conducts production all over the world, so we cannot consider the supply chain to be short.

Carhartt uses wool and leather in their clothing, but does not state any datails regarding their ethical sourcing. 

From the beginning, Hamilton Carhart focused on using high quality materials to ensure that its products were solid and safe for miners, hunters, construction and factory workers, and other hardworking people.

The brand applies different technologies to make the fabrics as weatherproof as possible. Are you someone who works up a sweat every day? No problem, because with the Force Extremes collection you can fix your sweat spots. This fabric breathes, dries quickly and gives you room to sweat. The Rugged Flex gives you room to move.

Carhartt has a long way to go regarding transparency, especially starting with providing proof of the certifications they and their facilities claim to possess.