BELLA+CANVAS Publishes Inaugural Sustainability Report

Norm Hullinger, President of BELLA+CANVAS

BELLA+CANVAS, the Los Angeles–based apparel manufacturer known for its premium basics, has published its first-ever Impact Report, outlining a sweeping vision for sustainability across people, planet and product. The report marks a milestone for the company, establishing baselines and measurable targets to advance ethical practices, reduce environmental impact and drive industry-wide innovation.

Founded in 1992 out of a garage screen-printing venture, BELLA+CANVAS has grown into a global leader with more than 5,000 employees across the U.S., Nicaragua, and Honduras. Despite its scale, the company emphasizes that its future hinges on building a business that is not only profitable but also socially responsible and environmentally conscious.

In 2024, the company achieved Fair Labor Association (FLA) accreditation after a rigorous five-year process, highlighting its commitment to worker rights and supply chain transparency. BELLA+CANVAS also maintained WRAP certification across all U.S. production and sewing facilities.

Employee well-being has been central to its approach with health fairs, on-site clinics, mental health programmes and family planning benefits offered across its operations. The company logged over 105,000 training hours for workers, while programmes in Central America supported workers with education opportunities and inclusivity initiatives, including hiring adults with disabilities.

Community engagement took centre stage through initiatives such as People Day 2024, a month-long celebration of sustainability and wellness that involved more than 2,000 employees. The company also donated over $500,000 in monetary and in-kind contributions, including 43,000 children’s T-shirts to UNHCR in support of refugee children in Tanzania.

BELLA+CANVAS conducted its first greenhouse gas inventory, reporting 5,945 tCO₂e emissions across Scope 1 and 2. In response, it launched major renewable energy projects, including a 1.1 MWh solar installation in Maryland and a 1 MWh rooftop solar array in Nicaragua, set to power operations and benefit local communities.

Water stewardship and waste reduction remain priorities. BELLA+CANVAS dyehouses now Bluesign approved dyes and water-efficient technologies that cut water use by 50% compared to older systems. Meanwhile, fabric waste is being repurposed into new products like the EcoMax Tee or upcycled into accessories through local partnerships, reducing production waste by 51% compared to conventional practices.

Innovation is central to BELLA+CANVAS’s mission to “Be Different.” In 2024, the company launched its EcoMax Tee, made from 100% recycled materials — a blend of reclaimed cotton scraps and PET bottles. Certified under the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), the EcoMax Tee uses no water in its dyeing process and boasts an 85% reduction in water use and a 56% lower carbon footprint compared to conventional T-shirts.

The company also completed its first product lifecycle assessment (LCA), which revealed that its top 10 products, on average, generate 27% fewer emissions, use 30% less fossil fuel, and consume 33% less water than industry norms.

While celebrating these milestones, BELLA+CANVAS acknowledges the challenges ahead. “The apparel industry faces intensifying pressure to address climate impacts and ensure supply chain transparency,” wrote President Norm Hullinger in the report. “While we’ve made significant progress, there’s much more work to be done.”

With sustainability now embedded into governance, operations and product design, BELLA+CANVAS is positioning itself not just as a fashion brand, but as a change-maker in the apparel industry. From supporting workers and communities to investing in clean energy and circular design, the company’s inaugural Impact Report signals a clear ambition: to lead the way in responsible, future-ready fashion.