CRS 231 Organic and Environmental Friendly Clothing

Organic cotton, wool, silk, and hemp

To be considered organic, textiles are made from raw natural fibers like cotton, hemp, ramie, wool, and alpaca that have been grown without the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators or defoliants. To say a shirt is made from a natural fiber such as cotton, does not mean that it is organic, or cannot cause health problems. Growing the natural fibers organically is only half the process to qualify as organic clothing. The manufacturing process is the second part, the part that is the most abused by toxic chemicals. Organic clothes do not receive any synthetic chemical finishes or treatments such as moth resistant, fire retardant, easy care, anti-pilling, stain resistant, or wrinkle-free. Dyes used on organic clothing is either plant or mineral derived, or of natural origin are environmentally responsible low impact dyes. No heavy metals or other harmful chemicals should be used in the dyeing process. An ethically and environmentally aware approach is extended to all aspects of the organic clothing industry.

Cotton

The benefits of choosing organic cotton over regular grown cotton are as follows:
1) Pesticide reduction, and one's personal environmental responsibility.

2) Cotton is the second highest pesticide-laden crop in the world. The use of pesticides in the growing of cotton is the leading cause for thousands of deaths per year. Making a single t-shirt from regular cotton requires 1/3 of a pound of pesticides. In West Central Africa, cotton provides employment for approximately 10 million people, and it is their only cash crop. Therefore, change may come slowly for cotton growers.

3) Organic cotton costs about twice as much to produce because it is labor-intensive and it can produce a lower yield. But instead of using pesticides, ladybugs are used to control pests, and manure is used instead of fertilizer.

Wool

Organic wool clothing and yarn provide the most natural environment for the sheep and the sheep growers, and reduce the lack of pesticide residues and synthetic chemicals next to the skin. Commercially grown wool is laden with chemicals. Then, the sheep are treated with pesticides to kill parasites. The fleece is cleaned with petroleum-based detergents. The dyes used are highly toxic and include heavy metal content. The runoff from these processes pollutes our streams, and workers exposed to these chemicals may suffer neurological damage. New Mexico is the U.S.'s largest producer of certified organic wool, representing about 80% of North American organic wool production.

Silk

Silk, a natural fiber harvested from the cocoon of the silkworm, is a wise choice for organic clothing. The mulberry tree is the silkworm’s primary food source. The major concerns with silk production are labor exploitation and the harm cause by using synthetic dyes. A better choice is dye-free raw silk, and silk which has been treated with natural, plant-based dyes.

Hemp

Hemp is the newest creation in the protest against pesticides. A naturally insect-resistant plant, hemp can yield three times the amount of fiber as cotton, with no need for pesticide use. However, it is still illegal in the U.S., but is currently grown in many countries throughout the world and then imported to the U.S.

The clothing industry is a seven trillion dollar industry worldwide. This money making industry, has been accused of worker exploitation, child labor and environmental pollution. To change these negative connotation's towards the clothing industry, the creation of organic clothing has been introduced, and is now at an increasing growing rate of 11% each year. The organic and environmental safe clothing industry is doing so well, that sales are predicted to reach three billion by the year of 2010. Therefore, it is possible to be well dressed and environmentally conscious!