March
2007
Apparel
Alternatives
By Maureen C. Wyse
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True Alternatives
Hemp is an astonishingly versatile alternative to cotton. Its
virtues include taking only 100 days to grow, having great strength
and durability, it is biodegradable, low maintenance, does not
deplete the soil of nutrients, is its own mulch and almost every
part of the plant can be used by industry. Hemp is absorbent, taking
dyes well and has a natural luster. An acre of land will produce
about 1,000 pounds of primary hemp fiber, about two to three times
more than cotton. And hemp fiber, unlike labor-intensive cotton
which needs to be picked, comes right off the plant. Plus, because
hemp has few insect enemies and competition from weeds, there is
little use for pesticides and fertilizers. www.hempest.com
Used Clothing is a true alternative. Whether buying thrift store apparel or
swapping with your friends, used clothing is the way to go. With so many garments
being produced to meet style and seasons, there is a tremendous amount of unwanted
and discarded wears. So skip the retail stores and see how someone else’s
trash could be your treasure.—M.W. |
You may think it’s just a t-shirt. But it’s not. It is blood,
sweat, politics and pesticides with a price tag. And yet, for most of
us, the closest we come to appraising apparel is in terms of color, cut
and value. It’s hard keeping track of worker exploitation and environmental
degradation, but when nudity isn’t an option, we need to do our
best to keep up the fight for others. Here are a handful of companies
trying to do the right thing and actually help you wear social and environmental
justice on your sleeve:
Alternative Apparel guarantees premium merchandise as well as excellent
conditions for workers and vendors. They provide a safe and healthy work
environment with the right to collective bargaining. That said, their
clothing is fashionable and well worth the price. www.alternativeapparel.com
Del Forte Jeans offers more than just 100 percent organic cotton, sweatshop-free,
good-looking jeans made in the U.S. They also work in conjunction with
the Sustainable Cotton Project to provide resources for agricultural
workers. Plus, they offer Rejeaneration Denim, a jeans recycling program.
Simply recycle your old jeans and get 10 percent off your next Del Forte
Denim purchase. To top it all, they use eco-friendly office supplies
and their printing is done on new leaf paper using veggie inks. www.delforte.com
Justice Clothing is on a mission to support democratic principles, workers’ rights
and economic sustainability through the sale and distribution of goods
manufactured by workers who are protected by collective bargaining agreements.
They also go a step further and support workers with the basic needs
of food, shelter, education and medical care. And all products are made
in the U.S. and Canada. From trendy t-shirts and hoodies, to cargo shorts,
Justice Clothing knows what’s up. www.justiceclothing.com
No Sweat is 100 percent union made, sweatshop-free apparel. They strive
to search out fair trade, organic, vegan and sustainable products as
well. No Sweat markets directly to consumers, primarily on the internet,
without advertising. They have formed a commitment to Open Sources, meaning
they show where everything comes from and the individuals behind the
products. From fabulous footwear, including a series of ethical mock-converse
sneakers, to striking message tees, this is a one-stop shopping resource.
www.nosweatapparel.com
Patagonia, yes, one of the largest outdoors outfitters in the country
actually has sustainable business practices. In fact, Patagonia is one
of the few companies fully supported by the Sustainable Cotton Project.
They currently use only recycled polyester or organic cotton in their
wares. In addition, they are huge environmental activists and donate
at least one percent of their sales to grassroots groups. Patagonia is
the place to go for all your eco-friendly, outerwear needs. www.patagonia.com
T. S. Designs is an innovative, full-service
apparel manufacturer and screen-printing company. They value local as
sustainable, and envision
a world where no harmful chemicals are produced, worn or discarded. They
provide a healthy, safe and enjoyable workplace, pay a livable wage,
provide training and an open forum for employee discussion. This company
is unique because they offer organic, sweatshop-free, fair trade products,
and print using a process without PVC, phthalates or solvents. Visit
T.S. Designs to get your message tees, band, company and all other wares
printed! www.tsdesigns.com
For a more extensive list of organic cotton companies visit www.newdream.org/consumer/cotton.php.
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