Hybrid styles Sustainable T-Shirts
- reptilicus
- Dec 1, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 3, 2025
I thought I would write post about the t-shirts I sell, and show how they are sustainable. They are manufactured and printed by Teemill, a company that is based on the Isle of Wight.
The blog is a bit wordy but it is important to know the facts. Facts that a number of fast fashion companies do not provide. The facts and videos are from Teemill's own website.
Certified Organic Cotton
Teemill organic cotton is certified by GOTS, Global Organic Textile Standard. It is recognised as the world’s leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibres. It defines high level environmental criteria along the entire organic textile supply chain and it requires compliance with social and environmental criteria.
The organic cotton is grown in the North of India where monsoon rains provide the water needed to grow the crop. The water that is used to process the cotton is saved and reused. This is what Teemill call "closed-loop water recycling". The water is clean enough to drink. The cotton husks are made into pellets to feed cattle. There is about 2% cotton wastage that ends up on the factory floor, this "fluff" is made into paper packaging which Teemill uses to package it's products.
Teemill t-shirts are made from 50% pure cotton and 50% recycled cotton. Whilst using solely recycled thread would create a fully recycled product, it compromises the strength of the material, leading to a shorter lifespan.
By incorporating a 50/50 mix of recycled and new cotton, Teemill extends the product's durability, prolongs its lifespan and slows down the frequency at which it needs to be sent back for recycling.
Manufacture
Once the spun cotton fibre is made into t-shirting fabric (jersey), the fabric is cut and sewn made into t-shirts, finishing touches such as labels and other details are added and they are then packed and sent off to the Teemill factory on the Isle of Wight.
Other production centres are in located in Europe and India.
How are printed t-shirts made?
The entire Teemill printing process is digital. They print on demand, meaning nothing is made until after it has been ordered. Once a customer places an order, it is routec to the factory neraest to them as date, where it is printed within seconds.
"In the traditional linear economy of the fashion industry, clothes are produced speculatively, before any orders have been placed. That ends up in 40% of all clothing being created and thrown away without ever being used."
Here at Hybrid Styles I only order small batches of t-shirts. This is not exactly print on demand but it does ensure I do not have an excessive amount of stock at one time. I did consider linking my website to Teemill print on demand, through their website, but it would have added extra cost to the final selling price.
To make sure Teemill t-shirts are carbon neutral, all their factories and manufacturing facilities are using renewable energy. The factories are powered by the wind and sun. These renewable sources of energy minimise pollution, unlike fossil fuels like coal which releases greenhouse gases when used, contributing to global warming.
Hybrid Styles Packaging
Hybrid Styles does not any plastic in it's packaging. All products will be sent wrapped up in acid free tissue paper and packaged in a plant based "plastic".
I hope this has helped you understand some facts about Hybrid Styles t-shirts and how the t-shirts Hybrid Styles we sell are sustainable and if recycled, follow a circular fashion model.
If you want more detailed information please click on these links to Teemill.
Thank you for reading.
Phil
Teemill: Creating a Circular Economy in Fashion
Teemill: How T-Shirts are Made
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