Four Eco-friendly Made in Italy Brands You Should Know About

As a slow fashion company, we at Mirta have advocated for sustainable and responsible business practices since day one. Our made-to-order model and partnerships with artisans all over the country help in promoting and preserving the art of Italian craftsmanship against a backdrop of fast, almost always unethical, fashion. In response to customer feedback and focus on our own sustainability journey, we’ve recently implemented Made in Italy eco-friendly packaging—FSC-certified, multi-functional, and 100% recyclable.

In fact, during the last several years, the topic of sustainability has remained a hot one on the part of companies, driven mainly by consumers and their ever-increasing commitment to a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. A 2020 consumer survey conducted by Deloitte found that 43% of consumers chose brands for their environmental values while 34% looked at their ethical credentials. To follow up on the results, Deloitte ran the survey again in 2021 and the findings show that consumers actually want businesses to help them in adopting a more sustainable lifestyle but are also willing to take more personal responsibility.

What exactly does it mean to be sustainable, though? The United Nations Brundtland Commission’s 1987 definition of sustainability sums it up pretty well: “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

It’s not about being perfect in the journey to sustainability; it’s about taking small actions everyday to lead to an immense impact. We can shop less impulsively and choose longevity over fleeting trends. We can see which materials are less wasteful and opt for eco-friendly packaging while online shopping. We can support brands with transparent practices and ethical production. To help you jump-start your own journey, here are four Made in Italy eco-friendly brands that are making a difference for our planet.

Adelaide C. Ecoage was founded by Adelaide Carta in 2014, a green fashion brand of bags and accessories. Adelaide created the company out of an obsessive and uninhibited need to transform fashion, trying to reform the trivial equivalence of "trendy=anti-ethical" because they fervently believe that real luxury knows no sacrifice.

Defined by unique prints, bold colors, and unique artistry, Adelaide C. Ecoage is an homage to the vibrant history of Sardinia—Adelaide’s homeland—blended with the bold innovation of today. The designer’s choice for eco-friendly and cruelty-free materials such as cork and pinatex, a vegan leather derived from pineapples, showcases her commitment for a better and more eco-conscious future.

Eticlò, derived from “ethical closet”, is an innovative Veneto-based clothing brand. Their mission is to develop sophisticated collections made from sustainable, certified fabrics. The brand combines this approach with a timeless design; they favor enduring style over passing trends. Sustainability and the environment are at the core of every decision they make.

From initial design to the final packaging, Eticlò always goes for the greener route. They aim for minimal environmental impact and only partner with ethical, reputable factories in Italy. All products are made with ecological dyes and crafted from natural organic fibers including cotton, which results in significant water use reduction because it doesn't require the use of pesticides.

What started as a small, family-run linens company in 1969 has evolved into a 15-person powerhouse operation with an international clientele. All products are made in Italy, and every step of the production chain is carefully monitored, from yarn to packaging. Traditional weaving techniques, technological innovation, and material sustainability have made Beltrami synonymous with quality and exclusivity.

One material in particular—exclusive to the Beltrami brand—is authentic wood fiber, an extremely soft and luxurious material extracted from the pulp of birch trees in northern Europe through a sustainable and environmentally-friendly process. The Beltrami brand pours their history, personality, and passion into each project—a fine representation of the Made in Italy excellence known all over the world.

Cereria MaMì is an artisanal soy candle company, born from the idea that humans are linked with nature. Their philosophy is “the world is ours"; it’s up to us to respect and care for it. Everything they create is the result of meticulous craftsmanship, manual work, and careful research for ecological materials.

All candles are made in Italy with the use of 100% natural soybean oil vegetable wax, all poured by hand individually. The soy wax-making process is fairly simple and doesn’t involve toxic chemicals, rendering it environmentally-friendly. The candle containers can also be reused and wicks are available in linen, cotton, hemp, or wood.

To be sustainable means to be eco-conscious, aware of the negative impact of our choices on the planet and willing to do something about it. It requires research, intention, and—most importantly—action. Whether you’re a business or consumer, we all have a role in making the world a better place for future generations, one change at a time.