Building a Sustainable Tech Stack for Apparel

In today’s apparel industry, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s an imperative. Brands are increasingly aware that adopting a sustainable tech stack can reduce waste, enhance customer satisfaction, and demonstrate a commitment to eco-conscious values. At Bold Metrics, we’ve built a network of partnerships with like-minded technology providers, each contributing to a sustainable apparel lifecycle in its unique way. From accurate sizing data to eco-conscious returns and logistics, these partnerships help brands create a thoughtful, sustainable tech stack that benefits both the planet and the bottom line. 

Why Sustainability Matters in Tech Stack Decisions    

Every stage of the apparel journey—from pre-sale to logistics—carries environmental implications. A sustainable tech stack allows brands to manage inventory efficiently, reduce returns, optimize logistics, and keep apparel in circulation for longer. This approach not only aligns with consumer expectations but also tackles issues like waste and excess carbon emissions at the root. 

Before the Sale 

Before the sale, sustainability starts before a product even reaches the consumer. Bold Metrics uses AI-driven body data to help brands deliver precise fit recommendations, eliminating sizing-related returns and reducing excess inventory. Fit is the primary reason behind the 70% of apparel returns. By capturing accurate sizing data, brands can eliminate many of these issues upfront, boosting conversion rates and fostering higher customer satisfaction. 

In circular fashion, resale platforms empower brands to keep products in use longer. Some enable brands to reclaim and resell items, helping keep them out of landfills and extending their lifespan. Also offering similar support by facilitating resale options directly on brand sites, providing customers with sustainable alternatives to new purchases. 

For footwear brands, technology such as 3D scanning provides accurate sizing insights from the start, further reducing returns. These predictive technologies not only increase consumer trust but significantly reduce the environmental toll associated with return logistics and additional production cycles. Such solutions can lead to an estimated reduction in return rates of up to 40% when implemented effectively. 

On the data side - solutions can provide demand-driven insights help brands produce with precision, aligning inventory with real market needs. This minimizes overproduction—a significant source of fashion waste—ensuring brands only manufacture what they’re likely to sell. These solutions enable brands to scale sustainably, reducing waste at every stage of the apparel lifecycle. These platforms can help to predict inventory needs by monitoring market trends, seasonal shifts, and buyer behavior. Brands can optimize stock levels, prevent stockouts, and boost sales—all with precision and ease, reducing waste and overproduction. 

Key Partners: 

• Bold Metrics: We use shopper body data to reduce fit-related returns and inform better design as a straightforward way to combat carbon emissions, landfill waste, and material consumption. 

• ReaLift offers online shoppers a 3D web-based foot-scanning tool to recommend the ideal shoe size for individual footwear products. ReaLift builds online shoppers' confidence in purchasing, minimizes returns, reduces shipping waste, and enhances customer satisfaction. 
  
• Autone: Analyzes and predicts inventory needs by monitoring market trends, seasonal shifts, and buyer behavior. Brands can optimize stock levels, prevent stockouts, and boost sales—all with precision and ease, reducing waste and overproduction. 
  
• Volumental provides precision 3D foot-scanning technology for both in-store and digital platforms, enabling accurate footwear sizing that reduces returns, boosts conversion rates, and elevates customer satisfaction. 
  

Post-Sale: Sustainable Returns Process  

Handling returns sustainably is critical for minimizing waste. Apparel returns generate substantial emissions from reverse logistics, adding to the environmental toll of production.  Partners in post-sale solutions enable brands to manage returns efficiently, encouraging exchanges instead of refunds, which keeps products in circulation longer and reduces the waste associated with returned items. 

“The fashion industry produces 10% of all humanity’s carbon emissions and is the second-largest consumer of the world’s water supply." – Morgan McFall-Johnsen, World Economic Forum 

Similarly, some partners help brands streamline the post-purchase experience by making returns seamless and efficient, while also reducing the carbon footprint and environmental impact associated with returns processing. 

Key Partners: 

• Loop: Loop’s reverse logistics features allow for smart shipping options that cut down on brand’s carbon footprint. Offerings like bulk consolidation options, direct routing to recycling centers, the choice to let shoppers keep items that aren’t worth shipping back,all help brands prioritize sustainability throughout the returns process. 

• ParcelLab: ParcelLab’s platform optimizes the post-purchase journey to reduce waste and emissions, offering proactive updates to improve delivery rates and flexible return options that minimize uneconomical returns. By promoting eco-friendly solutions like in-store collection, parcelLab empowers retailers to provide greener choices. Its data-driven insights help brands analyze logistics and consumer behavior, refine product offerings, and enhance operations. This approach supports environmental goals while driving profitability, boosting customer satisfaction, and building long-term loyalty.
  
• Redo: Redo helps sustainability by optimizing return processes, reducing waste from unnecessary shipments, and promoting efficient resource usage. Its platform encourages the reuse of products by offering flexible return policies, enabling easier exchanges and repairs. By minimizing waste and carbon footprint through better logistics and streamlined operations, Redo supports more sustainable business practices.
• Swap: Swap helps brands streamline the post-purchase experience by focusing on exchanges over refunds, keeping products in circulation longer to minimize waste and reduce environmental impact. 

Logistics: Eco-Conscious Delivery 

Logistics play a substantial role in apparel’s carbon footprint. Brands can further their sustainability goals by partnering with logistics providers focused on carbon-neutral delivery options, zero-emission warehousing, and closed-loop packaging solutions. Sustainable logistics not only support a greener supply chain but also align with the growing consumer preference for eco-friendly shipping options. 

Working with some partners 3PLs are able to achieve greater returns processing velocity, visibility, quality, and profitability. Merchants and other e-commerce technology partners also benefit by enabling more intelligent returns processing workflows, improving returned inventory management and sustainability, and gathering detailed data about the returns process. 

Key Partners: 

• GoBolt: Leading the charge in low-emission delivery through electric vehicles and carbon-neutral logistics solutions, making last-mile delivery truly green. 

• Two Boxes: Providing return processing software that empowers 3PLs and brands to intelligently inspect and disposition returns- greatly improving returned inventory management and overall sustainability. 

Integrating Bold Metrics and Partner Solutions into a Sustainable Tech Stack 

Integrating a sustainable tech stack is crucial for modern apparel brands aiming to balance efficiency with environmental responsibility. Having a suite of expert partner solutions allows brands to address each stage of their operations in a way that is both scalable and eco-friendly. From pre-sale planning, where predictive data on fit and demand help minimize overproduction, to post-sale processes that prioritize sustainable returns, every aspect benefits from the expertise of partners who specialize in specific operational areas. 

Logistics is another area where partnering with proven solutions makes a significant impact, whether through optimized warehousing, reusable packaging, or carbon-neutral deliveries. By collaborating with seasoned technology and logistics providers, brands can navigate these complex needs sustainably and effectively, empowering them to respond to consumer demand for eco-conscious practices without sacrificing operational growth. This approach enables brands to improve the customer experience and contributes to a more sustainable future for the industry. 

Taking the First Step Toward Sustainable Apparel  

Transitioning to a sustainable tech stack may seem daunting, but with the right partners, the journey becomes manageable. By leveraging Bold Metrics and our ecosystem of partners, apparel brands can take concrete steps to align their operations with their sustainability values, delivering both meaningful impact and exceptional customer experiences. As more brands embrace sustainable practices, the entire apparel industry moves closer to a future where fashion and sustainability go hand in hand. 

Interested in revolutionizing sizing for your brand? Explore our AI-driven solutions and join the future of personalized fit.