Brands add clear carbon and water use labels to tags

Published on April 2, 2025

by Brandon Williams

Consumers are increasingly becoming conscious of their environmental impact and are looking for ways to make more sustainable choices when it comes to the products they purchase. Brands have taken notice of this trend and are taking steps to address it by providing clear carbon and water use labels on their tags. This not only allows consumers to make informed decisions, but also holds brands accountable for their environmental impact. Let’s dive deeper into how adding these labels to tags is making a positive impact on the environment and consumer behavior.

Why it Matters

Carbon and water use labels provide crucial information for consumers when it comes to the environmental impact of products. These labels give insight into how much carbon dioxide and water was used throughout the entire lifecycle of the product, from manufacturing to shipping. This data allows consumers to understand the true impact of their purchases on the environment and make more conscious choices.

Brands Taking Action

Many major brands have already started incorporating carbon and water use labels on their tags. Outdoor clothing company Patagonia has been at the forefront of sustainable practices and includes a “Footprint Chronicles” label on their garments, which provides information on the carbon footprint of each product. This allows consumers to compare products and choose the most sustainable option.

Another notable example is Adidas, who has partnered with the non-profit organization Parley for the Oceans to create shoes made from recycled ocean plastic. These shoes come with a QR code on the tag that links to an interactive website, providing information on the environmental impact of each shoe and how it was made. This transparency not only allows consumers to make eco-friendly choices, but also encourages brands to adopt more sustainable practices.

The Impact on Consumer Behavior

With the rise of conscious consumerism, adding clear carbon and water use labels on tags has proven to be an effective way to influence purchasing decisions. A study by the Carbon Trust found that products with carbon labels had a 9% increase in sales compared to those without. In addition, 87% of consumers surveyed said they would be more likely to purchase a product with a carbon label.

This trend is not limited to clothing and apparel brands either. The food industry has also started incorporating carbon labels on packaging, with companies like Tesco and Quorn leading the way. This enables consumers to make more sustainable food choices, further contributing to reducing carbon emissions.

The Future of Labeling

As the demand for sustainable products continues to grow, it’s likely that more and more brands will start incorporating carbon and water use labels on their tags. This will not only help consumers make more environmentally-friendly choices, but also put pressure on brands to adopt more sustainable practices.

In addition, with the advancement of technology, we can expect to see more interactive and informative labels on products in the future. From QR codes to augmented reality, brands will have even more options to provide detailed information on the environmental impact of their products.

Conclusion

Incorporating clear carbon and water use labels on tags is a positive step towards a more sustainable future. This not only helps consumers make informed decisions, but also holds brands accountable for their environmental impact. With more and more brands adopting this practice, we can expect to see a significant decrease in carbon emissions and water use in the years to come.