Eco Friendly Clothing

If it's eco, it's in. More and more fashion brands are jumping on the ethical bandwagon, so there's plenty of choice out there.

If you stand back and examine your wardrobe, you're more likely to be fretting over its shortcomings as a fashion statement than as an eco product.

But behind every garment is a story, and often it's not a good one. Many clothes are made from synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester, which come from highly polluting petrochemicals whose manufacture contributes to climate change. They are also non-biodegradable, which means they are difficult to dispose of.

Natural fibres aren't all squeaky clean, either. Cotton uses more pesticide per plant than almost any other crop, causing damage to the environment and the people who farm it. The chemicals used to grow or treat cotton remain in the fabric and are released during the lifetime of the garments so they affect people wearing clothes too. In many parts of the world, garments are dyed or bleached using chemicals which affect workers and flow into sewers and rivers, damaging local ecosystems.

Virtually all polycotton plus all 'easy care' and 'crease resistant' cotton, are treated with the toxic chemical, formaldehyde.

But the fashion industry, or parts of it, is one step ahead, and is now turning its attention to producing a new breed of environmentally friendly clothing, or eco fashion. Eco fashion is manufactured using low carbon, non toxic processes, and includes organic clothing, recycled textiles and materials such as plastic drinks bottles. Yes, it does come with a higher price tag, but wouldn't you rather pay a little more knowing that workers aren't being exploited and the planet trashed?

ORGANICS

Organic fashion, where clothes which have been made with a minimum use of chemicals, does the minimum of damage to the environment. For instance, organic cotton is grown without the use of chemical pesticides and insecticides, and organic cotton garments are often also free from chlorine bleaches and synthetic dyes. Hemp needs few or no agrichemicals to grow, and at the same time it binds and enriches the soil with its deep roots.

Linen is made from flax, another traditional fibre crop which needs few chemical fertilisers, and less pesticide than cotton. Organic wool is produced using sustainable farming practises and without toxic sheep dips. Bamboo has recently been developed as a clothing fibre, which is great for eco fashion as it's highly sustainable, and produces clothing that is soft, breathable and fast drying.

FAIRTRADE AND FASHION

You can find Fairtrade products by looking out for the logo, which guarantees that that product has been made in line with standards as set out by the Fairtrade Foundation.

RECYCLING

Take old clothing to charity shops or recycling points, support fashion brands, charity shops and businesses that use second-hand and recycled products or customise your own clothing to extend its life.

JEWELLERY

Jewellery is not exempt from the ethical minefield, as anyone who has seen the film Blood Diamond will know. In fact diamonds have gone from being a girl's best friend to being a downright eco-enemy, linked to arms funding in Africa, slave child labour in India and huge environmental damage. The ethically minded are now only buying certified diamonds, or shunning diamonds in favour of semi precious stones such as agate, jasper, and carnelian. Gold has a tarnished image, too, for similar reasons. Buy from reputable sources, ask to see certification and think about buying recycled precious metals.


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