Impact Report 2025
2025 was a year we won’t forget. We turned 10!
A decade ago, we started Organic Basics with a focus on comfort-first design, transparency, and using lower-impact materials where possible. These principles still guide us today. To mark ten years, we celebrated both online and in person hosting our OBversary during Copenhagen Fashion Week.
While we know we’re not perfect, we’ve always wanted to be a brand people can trust, and we’re always striving to do better. Ten years in, we’re still trying to find the balance between being a brand that needs to grow to survive, while doing so in an industry that needs to slow down. At the same time, we believe that the more we grow, the more people choose lower-impact options instead of conventional, higher-impact products. We’re proud of the efforts we’ve made throughout our first ten years to work towards a better fashion industry.
Before we get into the nitty gritty of 2025, we'd like to take a quick trip down memory lane.
The data
Warning! There is a lot of information here that might be a bit overwhelming. We’ve added a short Glossary at the end of the report, to explain some of the more complicated terms.
Note: ‘Office and business operations’ includes homeworking, commuting and other business expenses.
Thank you to Made2Flow and One Carbon World, who have once again helped us collect our impact data. Made2Flow calculates Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) on each product we make, from raw material to the end of a product’s life (known as cradle-to-grave). Read more about their methods here. One Carbon World calculates and offsets our Scope 1, 2 and partial Scope 3 emissions. Our annual product impact is calculated by applying product LCA data to our sales data. Some other emissions categories are estimated based on financial spend, but all in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol Corporate Standard. Our Scope 3 emissions are considered ‘partial’ because we do not have insight into how our retail partners transport or store our products (known as downstream emissions). Otherwise, all applicable emissions categories are included and compensated for.
We measure our carbon intensity as the carbon emitted relative to our revenue growth (t CO2e per million DKK revenue). Unfortunately, we did not hit our goal to reduce our carbon intensity by 50% by 2025, for a number of reasons. This is a sad truth, but it is largely due to a significant change in our measurement scope.
Since setting the 2020 baseline, we’ve increased the accuracy of our emissions data by expanding the measurement scope. In 2023, we began including purchased goods and services (6% of our 2025 impact), and later added consistent data for product use (34% of our 2025 impact) and end-of-life (1% of our 2025 impact). These new categories, which we previously did not measure, now account for approximately 40% of our total impact, making a direct comparison to our 2020 baseline challenging.
Note: We shipped 91% of products (measured by volume) by sea, from gate-to-site.
Changing the scope of our impact data has made it much more accurate, but we have made it more difficult to compare to our baseline year. Given this, we have set a new carbon intensity reduction goal, with 2024 as our new baseline and 2030 as the goal. More on that in Our Commitments.
Good news: Our carbon intensity decreased by 10.5% in 2025, compared to 2024.
The good news is that we’re already on the right track, as our carbon intensity decreased by 10.5% in 2025 compared to the previous year. This is due to a huge improvement in transport emissions (across business travel, commuter transport and product shipments). We’re happy to see our efforts paying off here, as we’ve put a lot of work into ensuring that our production is on schedule so that we can send our goods by sea instead of air.
Certifications
At Organic Basics, we take our certifications very seriously. We are certified to the GOTS, GRS, OCS and RWS standards (certified by CU 1067589). Every year, we are audited to ensure that we are adhering to the standards’ strict environmental, chemical and social requirements. To certify a product to these standards, the entire supply chain must also be certified and follow the same strict requirements. Remember to look for the standards’ label on the hangtag or product page to confirm the product certification!
In 2025, 84% of our sales came from GOTS, GRS, OCS and RWS certified products (certified by CU 1067589). Collections made with TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal, and LENZING™ ECOVERO™ Viscose fibers, made up 14% of sales. The wood used as raw material for these fibers is sourced from certified (FSC® or PEFC certification^) or controlled wood sources. The remaining 2% of sales primarily come from our Core Rib Tank Bralette, which is made with 95% organic cotton, and our Algae Life collection made with recycled nylon and Algaeing™ dyes.
Why are product certifications important? — Why are product certifications important?
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Global Organic Textile Standard
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) covers the processing, manufacturing, packaging, labelling, trading, and distribution of all textiles made from at least 70% certified organic natural fibers.
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Global Recycled Standard
Products certified to the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) contain recycled material that has been independently verified at each stage of the supply chain, from the recycler to the final product. In addition, facilities from the recycler to final supplier have met social, environmental, and chemical requirements.
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Organic Content Standard
Products certified to the Organic Content Standard Blended (OCS Blended) contain between 5-94% certified organically grown content that has been independently verified at each stage of the supply chain, from source to final product.
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Responsible Wool Standard
Products certified to the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) contain wool from farms independently certified to animal welfare and land management requirements.
Social Impact
As a proud member of 1% for the Planet, we donate one percent of our annual sales to support different environmental initiatives around the world. Working with 1% for the Planet verified partners allows us to ensure that our partners are always vetted according to globally recognized standards, while also helping us stay committed to our community values. In 2025, we focused on partnering with fewer non-profits than the previous year, in order to provide more impactful donations. You can see the full list of 1% for the Planet environmental partners that we have supported over the years here.
Cool Earth
In 2025, we continued our partnership with Cool Earth and donated $13,500, contributing directly to communities in the Peruvian Amazon.
The Asháninka communities in Peru's Ene River basin face escalating wildfire threats that destroy crops, homes, and over 242,000 hectares of critical Amazon forest. Climate change is intensifying these risks, threatening both livelihoods and one of the world's most important carbon sinks.
We supported Cool Earth’s PAAMARI Integrated Fire Management strategy, representing 45 Asháninka communities. It combines ancestral fire knowledge with satellite monitoring and meteorological tracking to prevent and control wildfires. The impact of this project:
- 275 community members trained in fire management through the CARE School (175 completed full training)
- 55 active fire brigade members organized into specialized response crews
- 64% reduction in wildfire occurrences
- 81% reduction in burnt area – from 2,648 to 492 hectares
- Zero wildfires recorded in 2025 due to improved prevention and early warning systems
Big Blue Ocean Cleanup
We continued our support of Big Blue Ocean Cleanup in 2025, who we’ve worked with since 2023, with a $13,500 donation.
The funds raised through our campaign have had a direct and meaningful impact, helping us to:
- Organize and equip beach cleanups around the world
- Support Big Blue Ocean Cleanup’s global volunteers with tools and logistics
- Educate communities and schools on the importance of ocean health
- Remove harmful plastic waste from marine environments
A message from Big Blue Ocean Cleanup:
“It’s partnerships like this, rooted in purpose and action, that truly help us drive long-term change. We’re proud to stand alongside a brand like Organic Basics that shares our passion for protecting the natural world.”
Rory Sinclair, CEO, Big Blue Ocean Cleanup
Brave Trails
During the summer of 2025, we partnered with Brave Trails and donated $12,500 USD to support their work with LGBTQ+ youth in the USA.
A message from Brave Trails:
“Organic Basics’ generous $12,500 gift is an investment in the safety, confidence, and leadership of LGBTQ+ youth. Because of this support, Brave Trails is able to create affirming spaces where young people build community, discover their voices, and grow into the leaders our world needs. We are deeply grateful to Organic Basics for standing with queer youth in such a meaningful way.”
Jessica Weissbuch, Executive Director, Brave Trails
CARE
We chose to partner with CARE, to donate $10,000 USD in support of their mission to help displaced people around the world, who have been forced to flee their homes due to sudden emergencies, conflict and persecution.
A message from CARE:
"We are deeply grateful to Organic Basics and its customers for stepping up when it matters most to meet the needs of individuals impacted by disasters and crises. This $10,000 contribution means CARE can support over 50 displaced families with winter bedding kits - providing not just mattresses, blankets and pillows, but also warmth, dignity, and hope through the cold winter season.”
Madden Manion, Corporate Partnerships, CARE.
Drip by Drip
During the Black Friday period, we funded $15,000 USD to support the improvement of hygiene and water facilities at three schools in Faridabad, India. These schools are located within the region of one of our main suppliers, Shyam Tex. This project will officially kick off in early 2026, and we plan to keep our community up-to-date on the project’s process. We’re so excited to fund this impactful project from start-to-finish, thanks to your support. It means a lot to us that it is in the same region as one of our valued suppliers, who we’ve been working with since 2022.
The project aims to improve access to clean drinking water through new filtration systems, and provide menstrual hygiene support for adolescent girls.
Phase 1: Planning and mobilizations
- Coordinate with local schools and authorities
- Conduct baseline data collection
- Prepare training and awareness materials
Phase 2: School Infrastructure and Hygiene Programs
- Repair toilets and sanitation blocks
- Install water filters and RO systems
- Build menstrual hygiene-friendly facilities
- Run hygiene and menstrual hygiene management sessions for students and teachers
- Lead community campaigns and WASH mapping activities
Phase 3: Consolidation & Distribution
- Distribute hygiene kits to vulnerable households
- Conduct follow-ups in schools and communities
- Monitor progress, document learnings, and share results
In-Kind Direct
We donated 4,700 units of clothing to In-Kind Direct, a 1% for the Planet environmental partner based in the UK. We chose to partner with In-Kind Direct as they work with local charities, community groups, food banks, and schools to support a wide range of social issues, from hygiene-poverty and domestic abuse, to unemployment, homelessness, and mental health issues.
Through In-Kind Direct, our goods were donated to The Baby Bank, to support families struggling due to the cost of living crisis in the UK.
“The families we support are really appreciative of the Organic Basics clothing and underwear. We know Vinted exists, where people can get clothing for relatively cheap, but especially with something like underwear, it’s nice to be able to offer brand new products that haven’t been worn. This provides so much more dignity.” – The Baby Bank, recipient of Organic Basics goods via In-Kind Direct
Data transparency
In 2025, we took steps to increase data transparency, by sharing the LCA data that Made2Flow calculates for all of our products.
Our first version of the Digital Product Passport was launched in April. In addition to showing the carbon impact of our production (kg CO2e), we now share our production impact on acidification, energy, eutrophication, freshwater ecotoxicity, land and water. Not sure what that means? Check out the glossary at the end of the report!
We also use our product passport to show where in the world our products were made, from farm to final assembly. We hope to show more detailed information next year, including exactly which facility was responsible for each step in the process.
Note: Illustration shows the average impact of the production of our Core Triangle Bralette in 2025. Data from Made2Flow.
Made2Flow also calculates the difference between our production compared to industry benchmarks. They compare our product LCA data to the average impact of producing a similar product with conventional materials and methods, in the same geographical context. For example, comparing an organic cotton tee made at a certified facility, to a conventional cotton tee made at a regular facility in the same area. You can learn more about the benchmarking methodology in the glossary. We share this figure in the cart, to show how your purchase compares to alternatives on the market. We also added some of these data points to your Order Confirmation email, as an Impact Receipt, so you have full insight into the impact of your purchase!
In 2026, we hope to go further and create a personalized Impact Report, to show our community members the impact of their purchases over time.
Governance
Policies can be a bit of a snooze, but they’re the foundation of a responsible business. While we need to be wary of companies that talk the talk but don’t walk the walk, it’s important that our processes and ideals are always laid out clearly so that we know how things should work, who we want to partner with, and what we expect from them.
In 2025, we enhanced our requirements for new suppliers to include even more recommendations. Every factory that we partner with must comply with our detailed onboarding standards, which cover a range of topics, including:
| Human Rights | To promote shared respect for workers' rights, Organic Basics requires all supplier business partners to undergo annual human rights assessments. Organic Basics accepts the following 3rd party audits for our initial review of a factory's adherence to our Code of Conduct: SLCP, Better Work, LRQA's ERSA FLC, FLA SCI, WRAP, BSCI or SMETA. |
| Chemical Use and Management | Suppliers must conform with the ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) Restricted Substance List manual (RSL) for all manufactured goods and guarantee that products do not contain or exceed the limit of any Restricted Substances mentioned in our restricted substance list. Any fabrics not certified to OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 are subject to additional chemical safety testing with our quality control team. |
| Transparency and Traceability | Suppliers must assist in transparent data collection to ensure we have thorough information about our supply chain. Suppliers must map their general supply chain with TrueTrace, a data management platform. Certified products must be validated with transaction certificates, as per the certification policies. Our partners must also work with Made2Flow, to assist in their LCA calculations by sharing production data. |
| Material Use and Certifications | We prioritize using preferred materials, including but not exclusively organic cotton, recycled nylon, TENCEL™ Lyocell and RWS wool. When producing a fiber covered by a certification scheme, facilities must provide appropriate supporting documents to validate claims. See Our Certifications for more information on why we certify products. |
| Animal Rights Policy | Our suppliers must adhere to our Animal Rights Policy. In 2025, Organic Basics became certified to the Responsible Wool Standard. Our Fine Knit wool collection is our first collection made with 50% RWS wool, and 50% GRS recycled nylon (CU 1087589). Excluding our wool pieces, our products are PETA-Vegan Approved. |
Rajni, Kamlesh, Madhu, Meenu, and Mamta at the facility in Faridabad.
Shyam Tex Exports Limited serves as a dedicated space for fabric cutting and sewing, garment assembly, quality control measures, and so much more.
End of life
Globally, consumption patterns are still in need of change. We need to learn to keep the clothing we have in circulation for longer, and dispose of it carefully when it is no longer fit for wear or repair. In 2025, we continued to focus our efforts on the full lifecycle of the clothing we put out into the world.
We aim to design basics that can fit into any wardrobe and can be worn again and again. We want your OB pieces to last forever, both in terms of quality and style.
We hope that our products will last a long time, but for those that are in need of a little TLC, we’ve also piloted a repair reward to encourage our community to extend the life of their Organic Basics products. Through The Organic Basics Club, customers can share proof that they’ve repaired an older Organic Basics item and receive a small reward.
Wear what you own and don’t buy what you don’t need! Extending the life of clothing you own by just nine months is estimated to generate a 25% annual reduction in its carbon footprint (Hot or Cool Institute, 2022).
In 2025 we launched ReOB, our new take back program, in partnership with Coleo, a recycling facility in Barcelona. Customers based in select countries in the EU can now send their old Organic Basics items to be recycled, downcycled or valorized into energy. We’re looking forward to expanding this program, to hopefully give our community access regardless of where they are based.
Missing our 2025 carbon reduction goals
As explained in Our Impact, we didn’t hit our 2025 carbon intensity reduction goal. We’ve made a few changes, and some mistakes, since setting this goal. Firstly, we didn’t maintain a consistent measurement scope. We have made our impact calculations more accurate over the years, covering more emissions categories to ensure we have a full overview of the impact of our business. However, by doing that we made it difficult to compare our old impact data to recent years. We also made the mistake of setting an ambitious goal without creating a clear strategy for reducing our carbon intensity. Now that we have two years of consistent data, we are setting a new reduction target with 2024 as our baseline year. Our aim is to reduce our carbon intensity by 7% per year, to stay in line with the 1.5ºC pathway. We will use 2024 as our baseline year, and 2030 as the goal.
We still have too much inventory
Last year, one of our major fuck-ups was that we had a lot of delayed product deliveries to our warehouses, which meant we had three seasons’ worth of clothing arrive at our warehouses at the same time. We’ve also been struggling to work through very old stock that we over-ordered many years ago. As a result, we’ve had to work hard to sell through old inventory, by donating products, hosting sample sales, discounting on site, and selling to off-pricers.
The good news is that we’re scaling down the number of units we order for upcoming seasons. We’ve also been working with a forecasting tool for the past two years, which is helping us order the right amount for our permanent (NOOS) collections.
An update on our commitments
Last year, we set 14 commitments for 2025 and 2026. We haven’t achieved everything yet, but we’re not aiming for perfection here, and we never want to be afraid to try. We’ve achieved some, are working on others and have hit one or two stumbling blocks.
Glossary
Acidification
Indicator of the potential acidification of soils and water due to the release of gases such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides.
Carbon intensity
We measure carbon intensity as our carbon emissions (t CO2e) relative to our revenue growth (millions DKK), and it is one of the main sustainability KPIs for our brand.
Cradle-to-grave emissions
The scope of Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) used by Made2Flow, meaning the calculation covers a product's full lifecycle from raw material to the end of its life.
Energy
Use of energy across all processes and sub-processes, such as use of electricity and heat sources.
Eutrophication
Indicator of the enrichment of the aquatic ecosystem with nutrition elements, due to the emission of nitrogen or phosphor containing compounds.
Freshwater ecotoxicity
Impact on freshwater organisms of toxic substances emitted to the environment.
Industry benchmarks
Benchmark data from Made2Flow is based on the development and comparison of two Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), a scientific method used to evaluate the environmental impact of a product. Through this process, the environmental impact of producing our specific product, using data collected throughout the value chain (primary data), is compared with the average impact of producing a similar product that shares key characteristics such as fabric composition, material consumption, etc. This comparison is conducted within the same geographic context for each production process, such as the final assembly, dyeing, knitting, material origin, etc. In addition, preferred materials such as organic cotton are compared to their virgin counterparts, e.g. conventional cotton. As a result, a facility that uses renewable energy, employs more efficient dyeing processes, recycles water, or has access to lower-impact materials will demonstrate a reduced environmental impact in the personalized calculations. The benchmark is based on a proprietary database of +12,000 suppliers.
Land use
The environmental impacts of occupying, reshaping and managing land for human purposes.
Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs)
LCA is a scientific methodology for assessing the environmental impact of goods, processes or services. It tracks the condition of the environment by usingenvironmental indicators (such as greenhouse gas emissions), a methodical tool that uses measurable variables to describe a complex environmental issue. Made2Flow’s LCA methodology is in conformity with ISO 14040 and the latest PEF-CR guidelines.
Scope 1 emissions
Direct emissions that occur from sources owned or controlled by the company
Scope 2 emissions
Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy
Scope 3 emissions
Indirect emissions are a result of an organisation’s operations, but are not owned or controlled by the company
Water
The sum of water used in the direct-process or sub-processes (such as energy generation).
You made it!
Thanks for your support in 2025.
You made it!
Thanks for your support in 2025.
Please reach out to hello@organicbasics.com if you have any questions or feedback about our Impact Report.