Though they are not always sold in your typical clothing store, organic and sustainable textiles are currently being used in the making of various brands.
Organic fabrics are required to meet Organic Trade Association standards for processing, producing, dyeing and non-toxic handling.
Sustainable fabrics, however, are made from renewable and recycled materials that are produced without federal guidelines and certification.
Organic textiles often include cotton, linen, cashmere, wool, silk and hemp.
Organic cotton is the greatest in demand and is used in many personal care items, such as sanitary products, sheets and even stationary.
Hemp is an extremely durable natural fiber that is used in clothing, skincare products and paper.
Because this renewable resource requires no pesticides and little water to grow, farmers are able to harvest hemp crops in a sustainable way.
Renewable materials, like bamboo, soy and a wood pulp product called Tencel, are used to make sustainable clothing.
Fabrics made from recycled plastic soda bottles, called “POP,” are also one of the latest synthetic options.
Bamboo is the most popular sustainable fabric choice for many companies, because it not only grows fast, but is also easy to farm without pesticides or chemical additives.
These 100 percent biodegradable bamboo threads make excellent fabric for sportswear, because of their anti-bacterial and moisture-wicking properties. Bamboo textiles’ silky feel also allows for a market of everyday apparel.
Just like any other non-organic textiles, these fabrics often require special treatment.
Some may choose to clean their clothes with phosphate-free and biodegradable detergents, followed by air-drying to reduce energy consumption.
However, if the garment’s label calls for dry cleaning, it is suggested that you look into green cleaning.
Rather than using a petroleum-based solvent that is known to harm the environment, you can choose CO2-based green cleaning or even a steam cleaning.
There are many eco-friendly clothing lines out there, some of which are American Apparel, Levi Strauss & Co., Jonano, Rawganique.com and REI.
American Apparel is a U.S.-based, sweatshop-free company that makes its cotton clothes from 20 percent organic materials. With plans of increasing the use of
organic materials to 80 percent in the near future, American Apparel has recycled over a million pounds of scrap fabric per year in addition to having solar panels on the roof of its L.A. headquarters.
Levi Strauss & Co., known for its fabulous denim, uses organic cotton, recycled zippers and buttons, as well as natural indigo dye.
Costing no more than $70, these jeans are long lasting and green-approved.
Jonano offers women’s apparel that is made from certified organic cotton, bamboo, and hemp fabrics.
While using Fair Labor practices and natural dyes that have a low impact on the environment, recycled packaging and shipping materials additionally provide an eco-friendly transport system from the company to consumer.
Rawganique.com uses hemp and organic cotton in the production of its apparel and has a huge collection. Also a hot-spot for accessories, this is the perfect place when shopping for organic sheets, towels, socks, footwear, bags and jewelry.
For those who have a passion for the great outdoors, REI is the perfect place to show some love for the environment.
Whether you are looking for hiking gear or everyday apparel, REI produces apparel made from low-impact, organic and recyclable materials.
An eco-sensitive labeling system indicates what “green” materials were used, which allows consumers to understand exactly what they are wearing.
At this point, many of you may be thinking, “But I just cannot afford to spend the extra money on eco-friendly clothing.” This is when what I call “fashion financials” comes into play: rather than waste money on cheaper clothes that are not made to last, invest your money in better-quality garments with a timeless style.
Whether you decide to make a difference by purchasing clothing from a sustainable source like Threads for Thought or Emma Watson’s new organic line, every effort counts. Fashion, too, can assist in protecting our planet from further destruction.
Carolyn Hatch can be reached at cvhatch@spartans.ut.edu.