Tentree

Summary

Sustainable fashion brand Tentree makes essentials using sustainable, comfortable fabrics. Every time a consumer purchases an item, the company plants ten trees. Isn’t that what the world needs right now?

History

In 2011 tree planter Kalen Emsley reached out to old friend David Luba in Hawaii and shortly took a flight there to disuse launching a clothing brand that gave back back to the earth. That was the inspiration of fashion brand,  Tentree. Next, they brought on board Kalen’s brother Derrick, as CEO. The initial support from Emsleys’ hometown of Regina, Saskatchewan was overwhelming and offered them a launch pad to get Tentree off the ground as the community was excited about the idea of trees being planted for each item purchased.

Initially, the team operated out of Kalen’s basement in Regina. Slowly the business took off and the team wanted to increase its impact beyond tree planting to focusing on sustainable fabrics.Their vision was to provide the most environmentally progressive apparel possible to do better by the planet. In March 2013, David, Kalen and Derrick appeared on an episode of Dragon’s Den — a television show where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to venture capitalists with a goal to secure funding. They wound up being nominated as the team with one of the top ten game changing pitches and secured funding to grow Tentree to the next level. The following year, in collaboration with international non-profit organisations, the team had planted one million trees. That year, their apparel was being sold worldwide and they introduced a tree registry program, which allowed customers to track where their trees were being planted and what impact they were having on the environment.

In May 2016, Tentree became a certified B Corporation i.e. a business that met the highest standards of verified social and environmental support, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. And, they crossed the fifteen million trees mark! ”Fifteen million trees is a major milestone for Tentree, but ultimately, it is just the beginning” explained Derrick in a company release. ”Our goal is to become the most environmentally progressive brand on the planet and we are targeting over one billion trees by 2030… It has always been our goal to bring the customer closer to their impact. Their purchase is what allows us to plant trees, provide jobs, and help an incredible number of people. We want every customer to feel emotionally connected to their impact. The tree registry program allows us to do this by highlighting where the trees will be planted, the type of tree, and then allows us to provide updates on the progress.”

August 2016 was a milestone period — the trio relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia, home to some of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in Canada and by virtue attracting the kind of people that would want to work with an earth-first apparel brand. On Earth Day 2019, the team partnered with Eden Reforestation Projects to plant a tree for every ten likes on a particular post on Instagram and quickly reached the goal of 500,000 trees planted! In 2020, Tentree launched its Climate+ program, a collection of brands and change-makers dedicated to doing good for the planet. The future looks bright — Tentree has an ambitious goal of planting one billion trees by 2030, one tree at a time.

Vision

Tentree’s vision revolves around minimising their environmental impact and offering eco-progressive solutions to their consumers. This suggests that the company is dedicated to constantly improving their products and finding innovative ways to reduce their environmental footprint. Overall, the brand vision is rooted in environmental responsibility and the continuous quest for eco-progressive solutions. Their commitment to leaving the smallest possible impact on the environment and offering healthier alternatives to their customers reflects their dedication to creating positive change and making sustainability accessible to all.

Mission Statement

Tentree’s mission statement: Everything we do stems from how to do better by our planet—like planting trees. We plant trees because it’s one of the best ways to create a more sustainable future… We’re constantly looking at innovative ways to make apparel with the smallest possible footprint and create more circular supply chains. To give you some context, a tentree sweatshirt uses on average seventy five per cent less water to make than the other sweatshirts in your closet.

Key Team

Derrick Emsley (CEO)
Kalen Emsley (Founder)
David Luba (Founder)

Products and Services

Tentree offers Apparel and accessories for men and women including T-Shirts, Tanks, Tops, Shirts, Sweaters, Cardigans, Hoodies, Sweatshirts, Dresses, Jumpsuits, Shorts, Skirts, Jogger, Pants, Leggings, Jackets, Coats and Underwear. The brand also offers kidswear.

Awards and Recognition

tentree is recognized for its commitment to environmental conservation through tree planting and sustainable practices. By planting ten trees for every purchase and ensuring responsible production of their clothing, tentree empowers each customer to make a tangible difference. Their dedication to the environment is not merely a marketing ploy but a core belief that will have a significant impact on the planet’s future.

tentree’s recognition also stems from their innovative use of tree planting as a means of restoring the environment, preserving ecosystems and promoting a healthier world. They have leveraged the concept of tree planting to build sustainable communities and improve the quality of life. The founders’ extensive experience in the tree planting industry has enabled them to develop a business model that prioritizes sustainable tree planting methods for maximum impact.

The benefits of tentree’s tree planting initiatives extend beyond environmental restoration. They include the creation and restoration of biodiversity, the removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, the generation of bio-precipitation, and the establishment of sustainable and resilient natural ecosystems. By focusing on these positive outcomes, tentree has gained recognition as a brand that actively contributes to environmental well-being. Through their initiatives, the brand aims to build forests, protect the world and inspire positive change.

References

• How this brand is planting millions of trees with the help of Instagram Forbes
• Ethical manufacturing at tentree tentree
• Twitter account of Tentree Twitter
• Shop tentree Below the Belt
• The apparel brand that plants 10 trees for every purchase Vogue Business
• Instagram account of tentree Instagram
• tentree is Climate Neutral Certified Climate Neutral
• Youtube channel of tentree Youtube
• How one business plans to restore conserve and grow one billion trees in 10 years Forbes
• Official website tentree
• How tentree is tackling climate change The Green Hub
• LinkedIn page of tentree LinkedIn
• How tentree backpacks are saving the planet Forbes
• The ethos of tentree tentree
• 7 Inspiring environmentalist Instagram accounts Vogue
• Eco chic tentree
• Climate action at tentree tentree
• Tentree profiled Eco Stylist
• Facebook page of tentree Facebook
• tentree CEO is a change-maker Forbes