MATE the Label is a clean-essentials brand centered on organic cotton, linen, and TENCEL™ Lyocell with non-toxic dyeing, pairing local Los Angeles manufacturing with science-aligned climate targets.
1. Environmental
Sustainability
This rating evaluates the brand’s impact across key environmental risk categories, including raw materials and resource use, climate change, water use and pollution, chemicals and toxicity, land use, biodiversity, waste management, and circularity. Overview: MATE the Label centers its model on organic, plant-based, non-toxic materials, localized manufacturing in Los Angeles, and plastic-free apparel and packaging. Since 2020, the brand has moved from directional claims to data-backed LCAs and Scope 1-3 disclosure (2021–2022), achieved/maintained Climate Neutral/Climate Label certification, and expanded traceability and circularity initiatives. The 2022 report features a quantified company footprint (with a reduction compared to 2021), clearer chemistry governance, and supplier energy improvements.
IMPACT AREA 01
Materials
& Sourcing
- MATE the Label keeps its fiber portfolio intentionally small to reduce chemical burden and has excluded major synthetics: polyester, nylon, and polyamide since 2018. Current fibers include organic cotton (jersey, thermal, terry, fleece, knit), flax linen, TENCEL™ Lyocell, and limited spandex (8%) in Organic Stretch.
- Their organic cotton is primarily sourced from Maharashtra, India; linen from Belarus; TENCEL™ Lyocell from Lenzing (Austria). Fabric is knitted and dyed in the U.S., and garments are garment-dyed in Los Angeles with low-impact (azo-free/formaldehyde-free) dyes.
- MATE has pushed its dye work further: all garment-dyed items now use GOTS-approved organic dyes with its LA partners. Piece-dyed fabrics at external mills aren’t fully covered yet, but the brand is working toward it.
- To stay honest about impacts, MATE uses a “Clean Score” that grades fibers on carbon, water, and chemistry: Organic Jersey, Organic Terry, Organic Thermal, Tencel, and Recycled Cotton earn top marks (5/5); Linen, Fleece, and Organic Stretch sit mid-pack (3/5); and the red-flag list: Polyester, Nylon, Rayon, Conventional Cotton scores 1/5 and stays out of the range.
- Compared with 2020/2021, MATE now shares clearer LCA numbers by fabric (carbon and water), and its dye policy isn’t just a promise; It’s implemented for garment dyeing with GOTS-approved inputs. That’s real movement from principles to process.
IMPACT AREA 02
Climate
& Emissions
- MATE is Climate Label-certified (formerly Climate Neutral Certified): they measure Scope 1-3 emissions each year (cradle-to-customer), and publish a reduction plan.
- In 2022, the brand reports a total footprint of 1,261 tCO₂e across Scopes 1-3. Presents year-over-year charts and states it is working to keep emissions aligned with science-aligned targets.
- MATE has committed to -50% Scope 1-2 and -30% average emissions per garment by 2030, relative to a 2020 baseline. Its modeled pathway indicates roughly a 42% total reduction versus business-as-usual.
- Upstream, the supplier Sree Santhosh (India) operates a vertically integrated line (spinning → knitting → cut/sew) powered by ~98% renewable energy (onsite solar + wind), which lowers the energy burden of knitting and dyeing.
- For 2022, verified offsets were directed to a wind energy project in China.
- Product LCAs provide context for where emissions land at the item level: Shirts 3.3 kg CO₂e, Jackets 5.4, Pants 3.3, Sweaters 6.8, reflecting 21-32% reductions versus less-sustainable baselines. For full comparability, it would help to see clear definitions of the referenced ”conventional” baselines.
IMPACT AREA 03
Water
& Chemicals
- MATE maintains a Restricted Chemicals & Dyes List covering 31 chemicals and 49 dyes, and confirms azo-free and formaldehyde-free chemistry for garment dyeing performed under its direct LA oversight.
- The 2022 clean-chemistry update narrows the fabric portfolio to biobased, breathable, microplastic-free fibers and outlines a plan to extend the same chemistry rules to the piece-dyed supply chain, while commissioning five graduate researchers to run a full chemical analysis across the supply chain.
- Water impacts at the material level are now quantified: Organic Cotton Jersey and TENCEL™ Lyocell each show ~85% lower water use versus conventional baselines, with gallons per fabric published to support comparability.
- They have not yet disclosed: facility-level water withdrawal/discharge data; third-party ZDHC/bluesign®/OEKO-TEX wastewater or chemistry certifications; and full chemistry control across piece-dyed processes handled by external mills.
IMPACT AREA 04
Circularity
& Waste
- The reMATE program now captures 100% of cutting scraps and sends them for mechanical recycling with New Denim Project (Guatemala).
- For 2023, the plan expands circular options by accepting non-MATE items into the recycling stream, enabling customer resale of MATE items, and rolling out Repair & Resale to extend product life.
- Packaging and trims remain plastic-free. They use recycled paper hangtags (soy ink), organic cotton labels, compostable mailers, pearwood buttons, and 100% trims.