Some brands say their jeans are eco-friendly. Here's how to find a pair that's actually sustainable
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Patterns and distressing, made by a laser, are displayed at the BPD Washhouse, a denim processing facility, in Jersey City, N.J., Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)A small run of sweatshirts are dyed at the BPD Washhouse, a denim processing facility, in Jersey City, N.J., Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)Piles of denim sit in the showroom of BPD Washhouse, a denim processing facility, in Jersey City, N.J., Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)Bill Curtin, owner of BPD Washhouse, looks over some samples at his denim processing facility in Jersey City, N.J., Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)A cat relaxes in the showroom of BPD Washhouse, a denim processing facility, in Jersey City, N.J., Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)Bryan Morales Ibarra distresses denim by hand at the BPD Washhouse, a denim processing facility, in Jersey City, N.J., Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Behind him is a machine that uses ozone as part of the distressing process, as opposed to the traditional washing and chemicals. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)A piece of clothing is examined for color during a wash at the BPD Washhouse, a denim processing facility, in Jersey City, N.J., Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)A machine that uses oxygen and ozone in place of water and chemicals to distress clothes is seen at the BPD Washhouse, a denim processing facility, in Jersey City, N.J., Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)Ruben Revollo inspects some samples after washing them at the BPD Washhouse, a denim processing facility, in Jersey City, N.J., Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)Bryan Morales Ibarra distresses denim by hand at the BPD Washhouse, a denim processing facility, in Jersey City, N.J., Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)A laser is used to create a pattern and distress denim at the BPD Washhouse, a denim processing facility, in Jersey City, N.J., Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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Patterns and distressing, made by a laser, are displayed at the BPD Washhouse, a denim processing facility, in Jersey City, N.J., Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)