686
Winter activewear and apparel
686's Sustainability Rating:
Fair
Fair
686 is rated Fair because its taking responsibility for its emissions and product lifecycle, but still has work to do in other areas.
686 uses some deadstock material but appears to use mostly high emissions materials, and doesn't share any goals for improving this mix. However, it helps keeps products out of landfill by offering multiple repair services and a limited warranty. 686 publicly reports on its emissions impact, including at a product level, and is climate neutral certified through Change Climate. We hope to see it share more information on its energy use, packaging, or supply chain in the future.
Raw Materials
Commons couldn't find information on the overall proportion of materials this brand uses. For a small brand, we assume use of a mix of material types. 686 makes some garments with deadstock production waste, a lowest emission material, but it also still uses many high emissions materials including nylon, spandex, polyester, and conventional merino wool. It doesn't share any goals for improving its materials mix.
Energy Use & Production
Commons couldn't find information on this brand's energy use. 686 sources and manufactures its materials globally, which is standard practice in the fashion industry.
Packaging & Distribution
Commons couldn't find information on this brand's packaging materials. We assume smaller brands are using a mix of materials.
Repair & Care
686 has a repair program and shares repair guides. It also offers a 1 year warranty for manufacturer defects and a 'practical lifetime' warranty for select items. 686 gives detailed and environmentally conscious care instructions for its garments, though there are some products without care instructions.
Take Back Programs
Commons couldn't find information on any take back programs.
Slow Fashion
686 offers a core evergreen collection with additional releases. It limits new additions and releases. It limits overproduction and waste by reusing waste/deadstock.
Marketing
Commons is still evaluating this brand's marketing emails.
Transparency & Reporting
686 has a prominent sustainability page, with details on circularity, production waste, emissions measurement, emissions reduction, labor practices, and current initiatives and progress This page was last updated in 2023. Like many small brands, it doesn't release an annual sustainability report.
Emissions Tracking
686 internally measures its overall emissions and is climate neutral certified through Change Climate. It reports emissions on an organization-level and is also measuring emissions on a product level for many products.
Emissions Targets
Commons couldn't find emissions reduction targets for 686, but it does share interim reduction plans. 686 offsets its full value chain emissions through its climate neutral certification.
Supply Chain & Labor
686 doesn't publish information about its supply chain partners. It has a supplier code of conduct, which includes provisions banning forced labor and allowing collective bargaining. Its code of conduct doesn't address unauthorized subcontracting, regular partner audits, or paying living wages.
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (harmful) to 5 (best). How we rate →
View sources
What did you think about this rating?
Share your feedback →
Get Rewards
Earn for sustainable purchases
Commons rewards you for sustainable purchases from all our Top Rated brands, plus thousands of everyday purchases — from thrift stores to public transit.
Learn more about rewards ->
