Dharma Bums

Sep 29, 2020

Dharma Bums is an Australian yoga and activewear brand founded by Debbie Lawson and Mat Guthrie in 2013. It aims to create unique garments to empower both those who wear them and those that make them.

Dharma Bums makes sure the impact it has on the world is a positive one. It's inspired by the stunning setting and scenery of the Sydney beaches where it's based.

The sportswear brand designs performance pieces that sculpt and compress with your every move, made ethically and sustainably. It encourages consumers to choose better options and hold companies accountable.

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Sustainability Rating: 7/10

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Category: Clothing

For: Women

Type: Sportswear

Style: Casual

Quality: Medium

Price: $$

Sizes: XS-2XL, 2-14 (US), 4-16 (UK), 34-46 (EU), 6-18 (AU)

Fabrics: Cotton, polyester, nylon, acrylic, spandex, viscose, modal, wool

100% Organic: No

100% Vegan: No

Ethical & Fair: Yes

Recycling: Yes

Producing country: Australia, China

Certifications: OEKO-TEX, Bluesign

Sustainability Practices

"We know that our business activity, from the energy used to run our offices to the dying and packaging of our garments, leaves a footprint on the Earth. We are working conscientiously to continue to reduce our footprint. The Dharma Bums brand is inspired by the world around us, and we intend to take care of it."

Dharma Bums is continuously searching for ethical and sustainable fabrics. Its mission is to expand its use of bio-textiles and biodegradable fabrics. It uses an eco-friendly sublimation printing technique, recycled paper, biodegradable, and compostable packaging.

Dharma Bums uses an average proportion of organic cotton, recycled nylon, and recycled polyester made from post-consumer waste such as plastic bottles. It also uses man-made cellulosic materials such as viscose and Modal from Austrian manufacturer Lenzing.

Dharma Bums produces its activewear in Australia and China. It's committed to ethical supply chains and quality. All of its factories are certified by internationally independent bodies and BSCI accredited. Audits are conducted twice a year to guarantee 11 principles of fairness and safety according to its code of conduct.

Dharma Bums doesn't use any exotic animal skins or fur but uses Woolmark, a blend of merino wool from sheep and acrylic. Wool is obtained from animals subjected to painful treatments and exposed to dangerous substances with long-term disastrous effects on ecosystems and human health. There are more ethical and sustainable alternatives.

Sustainability Goals

Dharma Bums aims to reduce its footprint, water, and chemical usage. It's committed to increasing its mix of sustainable and recycled fabrics over the coming months. It aims to be a plastic-free company by 2022.

However, the label doesn't show any measurement of its water usage, pollution, and waste across its supply chain. It doesn't have any clear sustainability goal to reduce its impact in the future either.

Buy Here

Discover Dharma Bums sustainable collections at dharmabums.com.au.

Reviews And Experiences With Dharma Bums

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What We're Up Against

Multinational corporations overproducing cheap products in the poorest countries.
Huge factories with sweatshop-like conditions underpaying workers.
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