GBR Legacy aims to source the highest quality, ethically sustainable materials for use in our merchandise line, with respect given to our current knowledge and available options. Every time we add a new product to the store, we review the available evidence to ensure we make the best choice for the environment and for you. Therefore you will notice our products update from time to time as we replenish our stock with more sustainable materials. We are always learning - if you have any feedback on our products and the materials we use, please share it with us.

All currently available materials have their pros, as well as their cons and so we have selected Organic Cotton in our standard clothing range and 

 produce our sunshirts, made of ultra lightweight and breathable UPF50 polyester.

 is our most practical and ethical solution at this time. It is better than normal cotton, in that it uses far fewer chemicals, pollutes less, reduces soil degradation and has fairer conditions for workers, BUT, one shirt can use up to 3,000L of water (1,318L for a normal cotton shirt). It also requires more land than conventional cotton.

 is a great material for the environment. Strong, durable, cheap and one of the most renewable and sustainable fibres for clothing. On the other hand, it is hot and therefore it is not a great option for our climate here in Far North Queensland. It also wrinkles easily, which may lead to holes.

is cool, strong and comfortable, but wrinkles easily, and can shrink in the wash. It requires less water than cotton, can be grown without, or with very few fertilisers and pesticides, and has no waste as the entire plant is spun into fabric. It’s also biodegradable and recyclable. Additionally, we recommend that customers pay attention to the use of dyes as these are often bad for the environment and production can be accelerated using chemicals. If using Linen, it should be certified as the following, GOTS, USDA Organic, or Masters of Linen.

 is another great option as it is soft, breathable, wrinkle-resistant, anti-bacterial and offers UV protection. On the other hand, it is an invasive plant, can shrink in the wash, is expensive and many bamboo clothes are actually made from Rayon, which requires a lot of chemicals to produce. We recommend that if you decide to buy bamboo clothing, it should be made of Tencel or Monocel. Bamboo currently does not use a closed loop design so the benefits of a fast growing crop are largely eroded by its toxic production process.

is better than standard polyester, as It uses recycled materials and it produces 79% fewer carbon emissions. It is resistant to stretching, creasing and shrinking, easy to clean and quick to dry. However, whilst it seems like a great solution, it still sheds microplastics and cannot be recycled indefinitely as the quality degrades each time. (edited). If purchasing recycled polyester clothing, we suggest that you also invest in a microplastics catch bag, which catches any plastics that are shed in the washing process. The microplastics can then be disposed of correctly and not end up in the ocean.

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