Tentree
Rated: Great
Price: $$
Location: Canada
Quick verdict
Tentree is one of the most credible sustainability-first apparel brands operating at scale. With a B Corp score of 136.2 (top 5 globally in apparel), Climate Neutral Certification, 100+ million trees planted, outstanding environmental credentials, and a Trustpilot score of 4.2/5, the brand delivers across nearly every dimension that matters. Materials are 98% eco-friendly (organic cotton, recycled polyester, hemp, TENCEL), manufacturing transparency includes published factory names and locations, and the tree-planting model is verified by reputable partners with QR-code tracking. The main gaps are production in high-labour-risk countries without published living wage verification, and a reliance on carbon offsetting via tree planting rather than aggressive supply chain decarbonisation.
Key info
- Headquarters
- Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Founded
- 2012
- Product categories
- Basics, Activewear, Menswear, Womenswear
- Price range
- $$
- Key certifications
- B Corp (score 136.2), Climate Neutral Certified (since 2020), OEKO-TEX, bluesign (select fabrics), REPREVE recycled polyester partner, Responsible Wool Standard
Tentree sustainability rating
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We Avoid) to 5 (Excellent). How we rate
Rating breakdown
98% of the product range uses eco-friendly materials: organic cotton (majority of cotton), recycled polyester (via REPREVE from recycled plastic bottles), TENCEL Lyocell (closed-loop wood pulp fibre), hemp, and cork details. Some fabrics are OEKO-TEX or bluesign certified. The brand joined the Textile Exchange 2025 Sustainable Cotton Challenge and Recycled Polyester Challenge. A small portion of cotton remains conventional (from a supplier supporting rural artisans where certification is challenging). Natural dyes used for some India-sourced products.
Published factory list with Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, including locations, employee counts, and certifications. Most factories are certified by WRAP, BSCI, Fairtrade, WFTO, or SEDEX/SMETA. Regular announced and unannounced audits. Supplier Code of Conduct requires compliance with ILO standards including living wage, freedom of association, and no forced labour. However, there is no evidence workers are paid living wages, and manufacturing occurs in countries with extreme risk of labour abuse (China, Vietnam, India). Some of the 23 factories have not yet been visited by Tentree directly.
Climate Neutral Certified since 2020: measures and offsets all emissions (manufacturing, shipping, business travel, utilities)—in 2022, planted 25.4 million trees across 10 countries, sequestering 9.6 million tonnes of CO2e. Total planted: 100+ million trees toward a 1 billion by 2030 goal. Tree planting is verified through local partners (Trees for the Future, Eden Reforestation Projects, ECOAN, Global Forest Generation) with photo verification stations. Clothing take-back program via SuperCircle partnership for recycling/resale. FSC-certified paper hangtags (100% recycled), 100% post-consumer recycled plastic mailers.
Published factory list with names, locations, employee counts, certifications, and social compliance details for Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers. Annual sustainability report with detailed strategic information, Partnered with Textile Genesis for blockchain-based fibre tracing (launching full circle traceability). QR code on every product tag lets customers track exactly where their 10 trees are planted and what species. Eco-impact data on product pages. Among the most transparent brands in mid-market sustainable apparel.
T-shirts at $30–$50, hoodies at $60–$80, joggers at $60–$80, jackets at $80–$140, positioned at the affordable end of sustainable apparel (comparable to mainstream brands like Patagonia or prAna, but often less expensive). The tree-planting program adds tangible environmental value with each purchase. Material quality is generally praised (though some reviewers note quality has declined slightly in recent years). Frequent sales further improve accessibility.
What they do well
- Verified tree planting at massive scale: 100+ million trees planted across 10 countries through verified partners; QR code tracking on every product; planting provides local employment and carbon sequestration (9.6M tonnes CO2e in 2022 alone)
- Top-tier B Corp certification: score of 136.2 is among the highest in global apparel; "Best For The World" in Community for multiple consecutive years; certification independently verified by B Lab
- 98% eco-friendly materials: organic cotton, recycled polyester (REPREVE), TENCEL, hemp, and cork across virtually the entire range, not just a "sustainable collection" within a larger conventional line
- Factory-level transparency: published Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier list with locations, certifications, employee counts, and social compliance details, exceeding most mid-market brands
- Climate Neutral Certified: full measurement and offset of all business emissions since 2020, with medium-term reduction targets aligned to science-based pathways
Room for improvement
- Living wage verification gap. Despite strong factory oversight, there is no published evidence that workers throughout the supply chain receive living wages, the single biggest labour gap.
- Reliance on carbon offsetting. While tree planting is genuine and impactful, it should complement, not substitute for, deeper supply chain decarbonisation. The EU's upcoming 2026 ban on generic "climate neutral" claims based on offsets may force a rethink.
- Incomplete factory visits, Some of the 23 factories have not yet been visited directly by Tentree. Full physical audit coverage should be a priority for a brand at this transparency level.
About Tentree
Tentree was born in 2012 when Kalen Emsley, a tree planter, visited his friend David Luba in Hawaii, Inspired by the natural beauty around them, they conceived an apparel brand that would give back to the earth with every purchase. Kalen's brother Derrick joined as CEO, and the three launched from Kalen's basement in Regina, Saskatchewan. The initial concept was simple: plant 10 trees for every item sold. They appeared on Dragon's Den (Canada's Shark Tank) in 2012 and steadily built momentum.
The tree-planting mission has been the brand's backbone. Tentree partners with local nonprofits including Trees for the Future, Eden Reforestation Projects, ECOAN (Peru), and Global Forest Generation to ensure native species are planted in ecosystems where they'll have the greatest impact. Sites span Canada, USA, Madagascar, Indonesia, Kenya, Tanzania, Nepal, Senegal, Haiti, and Peru. The planting programs provide employment in underprivileged communities, hundreds of thousands of days of paid work, As of 2025, over 100 million trees have been planted, with a goal of 1 billion by 2030.
On materials, Tentree has evolved from printing on American Apparel blanks to developing proprietary sustainable fabrics. The TreeBlend (recycled polyester + organic cotton + lyocell) is their signature material. 98% of the range uses eco-friendly materials. The brand works with REPREVE to convert recycled plastic bottles into polyester, and uses TENCEL from FSC-certified wood pulp. Manufacturing happens across factories in China, Vietnam, India, and Turkey, all listed on the website with detailed profiles. Certifications include WRAP, BSCI, Fairtrade, WFTO, and SEDEX/SMETA across the factory base. The brand achieved B Corp certification in 2016 (score: 124) and has increased each recertification, reaching 136.2 in 2022.
For Ecothes readers, Tentree is a strong recommendation, one of the rare brands where the sustainability story holds up under scrutiny across materials, certifications, transparency, and verified environmental impact. The living wage gap and offsetting reliance are real but manageable concerns in the context of an otherwise exemplary profile.
Product highlights
TreeBlend Classic T-Shirt
Organic cotton, recycled polyester, and TENCEL lyocell blend; relaxed fit
$36–$40
Signature fabric showcasing the brand's material innovation; ultra-soft and sustainable triple-blend
Whistler Full Zip Hoodie
Organic cotton fleece with recycled polyester; full zip with cork zipper pull
$78–$88
Best-selling hoodie; coconut-shell/cork details reflect the brand's natural material philosophy
Juniper Hoodie (Tree Graphic)
Organic cotton/recycled polyester blend; iconic tree-ring graphic
$68–$78
The brand's most recognisable product; available in men's, women's, and kids' sizes
Retro Flannel Shirt
100% organic cotton flannel; multiple plaid colourways
$78
Demonstrates the range beyond basics; GOTS-certifiable organic cotton