| Clothing that is Eco-Friendly, Part 1 |
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| Environment - Environment |
| Written by Ava De Luca |
| Thursday, 11 June 2009 08:26 |
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With all the buzz about going green and being eco-friendly, I decided to see how living green could be applied to the fashion industry. I quickly learned there is a lot more to the topic than I originally thought and that the post I was planning would be best split into multiple parts.
With all the buzz about going green and being eco-friendly, I decided to see how living green could be applied to the fashion industry. I quickly learned there is a lot more to the topic than I originally thought and that the post I was planning would be best split into multiple parts. In the fashion industry, going green means that products or lifestyles are environmentally friendly, or minimize impact on the environment. Within the production process, the more eco-friendly steps that are included, the greener the final product is. Companies can try and consume less natural resources, use organic product, recycle, create less waste and many others, during these production steps. In the fashion world, there is a very basic way to be more green- just buy less stuff. If that's not an option for you, then consider purchasing items from thrift stores, eBay or local garage sales. Essentially, this eliminates more junk going to landfills, because manufactures don't have to make as much stuff. Pretty simple, really. Another good way is to Freecycle! A great way to get and give clothing locally. The average American throws away almost 70 pounds of textiles and clothing EACH YEAR! With a little change in behavior, you can really see the environmental impact this would have. Hey, these options aren't bad, I know, but I love to shop! The thrill of the hunt. Finding the perfect handbag at just the right price. I love it! Well, luckily, there is hope for me from our friends ate Team Treehugger on Planet Green. Shop with a plan. When you bring an article of clothing into your life, its kind of like adopting a dog or cat. That cute little number has to have a place in your wardrobe, and youre agreeing to provide for and give it the longest possible life with you. Abandoning the impulse buy may sound boring, but how exciting is a closet full of stuff that doesnt work? In the long run, knowing what youre looking for before you shop will save time and eliminate clutter. Youll get more use out of a piece that looks and feels great: What colors work for you? What fits work the best? How will the piece get along with everything else in the closet? If the answer to Will I still want to wear this rhinestone-studded bustier in two years? or Can I eventually find a way to use it in a craft project? is no, skip it. Love your duds. Whatever you've chosen, take good care of it. When you get home, change out of work gear and into your famous dressing gown or leisure suit. Dont cook or check the tire pressure in clothes you want to wear in public. Learn how to sew a button back on, or how to coax a nimble friend into doing it for you. Get the name of a local tailor or seamstress for major repairs or alterations. Dry cleaning is not eco-friendly. The industry is getting better, but the little shop down the street uses perc (tetrachloroethylene), a know carcinogen. These are really harmful the the environment. Although your article of clothing may ask for dry cleaning, often it can be hand washed, especially sik, wool and linen. If not, see if a local green cleaner uses wet cleaning or liquid CO2 techniques. Vintage and used clothing are great alternatives. Try a second hand shop and you'll be suprised what good items you can find. They say ones trash is anothers treasure and it's true! From Oscar-worthy vintage dresses to Freecycled denim, you can most likely find something that fits just right and for a lot less money. Often, you're helping out charities at the same time. Everyone wins. Washing clothes wreaks havoc to the environment! It requires a lot of water and energy, so eliminate washes when you can. Turn your clothes inside out and use the lowest temperature possible. If an item is really hurting, make a thin salt past an soak the fabric for a half hour before washing. Choose phosphate-free and biodegradable detergent. Also, try link dry if you can. Treat stains quickly with non-toxic removers. If you're in the market for a new machine, be sure to look for those with the Energy Star label- they are engineered to save energy. Organic clothing can make a difference. Although cotton fabric is marketed as fresh, clean and natural- conventional varieties are not. A third of a pound of chemical fertilizers and pesticides are used to create the cotton for only one T-shirt. That's a lot of direct, unhealthy exposure for wildlife and farmers- not to mention the pollution. Yuck! Thankfully, organic cotton is becoming eaasier to find all the time. Many large stores are getting involved, but we still need to be vigilant about what organic means- to make sure your organic t shirt may have started out that way, processing chemicals and metal-laden dyes may have changed it completely. About the Author: If you're interested in a company that takes pride in their organic clothing, make sure you check MyFashionCorner's excellent selection of Sanuk sandals, jeans and sunglasses. We are really trying to bring clothes that are eco-friendly. We offer a great selection at discount prices. |