Adrian Desbarats's blog

An Easy Way to Pay for Your Organic Clothing While Saving the Planet!

An argument I regularly hear about buying organic clothing is that the raw materials typically come from overseas and all the green houses gases generated in the shipping of those clothing articles to North America far outweighs the eco-friendly benefits.

A lot of big companies have spent considerable effort analyzing the carbon footprint of their clothing from cradle (where it's made) to grave (the point when the clothing item has been retired by the consumer). Many of these studies are readily available. I have read a number of these LCA or Life Cycle Analysis reports and the conclusions are all the same: energy consumption through shipping is but a small part of total energy consumed.

In one such analysis carried out by Mark's and Spencer (February, 2002) it was found that energy consumption resulting from transporting the cotton from India to Egypt for manufacture and then from Egypt to the UK for retail was insignificant, only accounting for less then 1% of total energy consumed!

In contrast, the study found that over 75% of the energy consumed for a typical clothing item was at the consumer level as a result of washing, drying and ironing activity over the lifespan of the clothing item.

So, what does all this mean?

We can all agree that buying organic clothing is extremely important. Organic clothing eliminates pesticides and synthetic fertilizers that are polluting our environment and helps elevate the livelihood of workers in third world countries through fair trade. But at the consumer level, we need to take greater responsibility for our clothing.

By hanging our clothing out on the clothesline during the summer and drying racks during the winter, we could significantly reduce green house gases.

If we went with energy efficient washing machines, re-examined our washing decisions and used less hot water, we could further reduce energy consumption. For example, do you really need to wash that shirt after just one wearing? How about those jeans or pants? Yes, please wash the undies after each use; let's not get radical!

But the biggest energy consumer in a washing machine is in the heating of water. By modifying our hot water usage during the washing process, significant energy can be saved. For example, try warm water as opposed to hot water. Or go with a cold water wash and use an enzymatic detergent. But regardless of what warm water/cold water washing trick you go with, always use a cold water rinse.

Yes it's true that women's organic clothing costs more then conventional clothing. Paying a fair wage to workers and costs associated with certifying and auditing the growing and manufacturing processes gets expensive. But when you buy that organic clothing item, don't you feel so much better about yourself, knowing that you have made a difference?

And by taking responsibility for that clothing item after you've purchased it by air drying and by reducing hot water usage, not only will you increase the clothing's lifespan and significantly reduce green house gas emissions but you will also recover the cost of the premium you paid. It's a win/win scenario!

Adrian Desbarats, the author, has a passionate desire for balance between nature and human needs. A biologist, he started FashionandEarth.com to provide a way for women to wear healthier, Earth friendly, stylish fashions. For more information about Organic Clothing please visit http://www.fashionandearth.com.

Is Rayon from Bamboo Biodegradable? Who Cares? Recycle Clothing

As per usual, I must mention that when I speak of bamboo clothing I am referring specifically to rayon from bamboo.

Recently, the FTC passed a ruling which strictly prohibits eco-clothing retailers from making unsubstantiated claims about their clothing. For example, all bamboo clothing must be advertised and labeled as Rayon from Bamboo. Additionally, retailers are not allowed to make unsubstantiated claims such as "bamboo is antimicrobial" or "bamboo is biodegradable".

For the most part, I am very pleased with the FTC ruling as it will help bring accountability and credibility to this fledgling industry.

However, I do question their claim regarding biodegradability. For instance, in one press release they state the following:
"Commission charges that these rayon products are not biodegradable because they will not break down in a reasonably short time after customary disposal."

What exactly does that mean? From the perspective of an environmentally concerned consumer I would find that remark confusing. So, I am going to take a stab at clarifying what I think they meant.

In research conducted at the University of Seoul in Korea (Park et al, 2004) rayon, cotton, linen and acetate based fabrics were tested under a variety of conditions following ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standardized tests. In this study, fabric samples were evaluated for biodegradability under an Activated Sludge test, a Soil Burial test and an Enzymatic Hydrolysis test.

What this study found was that all of these cellulose based fabrics were biodegradable. Interestingly, the rayon showed the highest level of biodegradability in all three tests. And the rate of biodegradation was highly significant. For example, in Activated Sludge tests conducted during the summer almost 30% of all available CO2 was released within 24 days for the rayon fabric. In other words, within less then a month, almost 30% of the cellulose was consumed. Given that a material must break down in around 180 days to be considered biodegradable, I'd say rayon could be classified as biodegradable.

So, I would refute the FTC comments and say yes bamboo clothing textiles are biodegradable. What is really the issue here is that landfill sites, where most products end up, are poorly suited to degrade anything.

You may remember Dr. William Rathje who through the Garbage Project, which he established at the University of Arizona conducted archaeological digs at landfills. Through these digs he found intact 30-year old newspapers (yep, you could even read them), carrots and hot dogs - the sort of items most would have thought would degrade.

Land fill sits are highly compacted, devoid of water, nutrients and soil making it extremely difficult for microbes to thrive and do their thing.
I wonder - based on Dr. Rathje's findings would the FTC claim that hot dogs and carrots are not biodegradable?

What the FTC should really be saying is - yes rayon from bamboo like most cellulose based fibers are biodegradable and for that very reason let's keep them OUT of landfills!

Anything that is biodegradable should simply not be ending up in landfills where it is very unlikely it will break down any time soon. Over 12 million tons of textile waste ends up in our landfills every single year. Over 80% of this waste is perfectly recyclable. So let's do our part to keep our clothing in use as long as possible by handing them down, trading them up, giving them to charity, etc.

But once that item of clothing whether it be organic cotton clothing or bamboo clothing has truly reached its end of life (can't even be used for rags) then send it to the compost pile, not the landfill. As the Korean research clearly demonstrates cellulose based clothing is biodegradable if disposed of properly.

Adrian Desbarats, the author, has a passionate desire for balance between nature and human needs. A biologist, he started FashionandEarth.com to provide a way for women to wear healthier, Earth friendly, stylish fashions. Visit http://www.fashionandearth.com for information on organic clothing.

No Love for Clothing Made From Bamboo

Rayon made from bamboo is not the villain to the environment that the FTC claims it is. When it comes to sustainable textiles, rayon from bamboo is an eco-friendly choice.

There was a recent ruling by the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) regarding bamboo clothing. When referring to bamboo clothing in this article, I refer to rayon from bamboo. And that distinction is the main thread of the FTC ruling.

In this ruling, the FTC requires that all bamboo clothing produced from regenerated cellulose must be labeled both on your web site and clothing labels as Rayon from Bamboo. Furthermore, unsubstantiated claims like bamboo clothing is antimicrobial or bamboo clothing is biodegradable are impermissible.

I have no problem with this new ruling. In fact, I herald it as an important step toward development of this fledgling sustainable clothing industry. This ruling will help bring accountability and credibility to the industry and will help clarify for the customer exactly what they are purchasing.

However, I take issue with certain additional statements by the FTC which take on a bit of a personal tone. One paragraph jumped out in particular: They (bamboo clothing) are made using toxic chemicals in a process that releases pollutants into the air. Extracting bamboo fibers is expensive and time-consuming, and textiles made just from bamboo fiber don't feel silky smooth. You can go to http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/08/bamboo.shtm to read the full press release.

I find statements like the above from an authority like the FTC disturbing. I fully understand and respect the FTC's purpose which is to protect consumers from false claims. However, I do believe they must do so in an unbiased manner and I truly question their impartiality in this case. Yes, rayon from bamboo clothing is produced using using a chemical process employing harsh chemicals such as sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide. But let's put that in perspective.

Most of the bamboo used to make bamboo fiber and bamboo clothing is grown in China by Hebei Jigao Chemical Fiber Company. This facility produces virtually all viscose bamboo on the market. The raw bamboo is certified organic by OCIA (Organic Crop Improvement Association). In other words, the raw bamboo harvested by Jigao has never been touched by pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. To ensure organic certification, Jigao developed its own bamboo plantation in Sichuan Province keeping strict control over it.

All of the fiber produced at Jigao's facilities is Oeko-Tex 100 certified. This certification ensures the staple fiber has been tested and regulated for a variety of chemicals that may be harmful to a personÕs health and by default, to the environment.

Jigao is GB/T28001-2001 Occupational Health and Safety certified meaning the environment in which staff work is as safe as possible. Jigao is also SA8000 certified, a global social accountability standard which ensures decent working conditions.

Jigao also recycles as much of the chemicals as possible in the first part of the pulping stage, a process they hope to have certified. Jigao is doing things right. Are they perfect? No, but who is? They are certainly miles ahead of conventional cotton production which uses pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. And I would argue that rayon from bamboo produced under these conditions is eco-friendly by a long shot when compared to conventional clothing or polyester fabrics.

Not even organic cotton production is perfect. It takes over 17,000 L of water to produce 1 Kg of cotton lint. An enormous amount of water in our new reality where water is at a premium.

Does that mean organic cotton is not environmentally friendly? Of course not! Organic cotton and rayon from bamboo clothing are far better on the environment versus conventional cotton or polyester. Sustainable textiles are very new and although not perfect they will continue to improve providing the industry is supported and nurtured.

And that is why I find the unsubstantiated remarks by the FTC to be particularly disturbing as comments like that from a government body are not supportive.

Hopefully, individual consumers such as yourself will be able to view bamboo clothing for what it is: a valid eco-friendly clothing option.

Adrian Desbarats, the author, has a passionate desire for balance between nature and human needs. A biologist, he started FashionandEarth.com to provide a way for women to wear healthier, Earth friendly, stylish fashions. Visit www.fashionandearth.com for sustainable living clothing choices.

What’s the Scoop on Genetically Modified Crops- Eco Friendly Clothing

As you probably know, organic clothing certified by GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) cannot be produced using genetically modified cotton.

Because of increasing demand for food, there has been heightened interest in the development of GM crops with the argument being improved yield and hence an over-all increase in productivity.

At the surface, the reasoning seems sound but in reality, there are very real dangers.

We simply do not know enough about the potential impact of GM crops on human health and the environment. For example, Ht crops (designed to resist herbicides) should create a reduction in pesticide use. However, in a new report by agricultural economist Dr. Charles Benbrook, "Genetically Engineered Crops and Pesticide Use in the US", it was found that farmers use more pesticide on the top three GM crops: corn, soybeans, and cotton, than on conventional varieties. This occurred due to natural development of herbicide resistant weeds requiring ever increasing herbicide use by farmers.

On the flip side Bt crops are designed so the crop itself produces a chemical protecting it against common pests. Bt crops have resulted in less pesticide consumption. However, recent research found that the insecticidal compounds constantly exuded by the plants have negatively affected micro-organism diversity in the soil. In effect, Bt compounds are killing the soil microbes which are necessary for soil health. Researchers concluded that soil used to grow Bt crops would eventually become uncultivatable.

In another study by the UCS (Union of Concerned Scientists), "Gone to Seed" it was found that DNA from GM crops are contaminating nongenetically modified seeds. This finding has all sorts of serious implications. For example, in a recent occurrence, organic cotton was found to contain GM cotton. This occurrence could be the result of cross pollination from nearby GM cotton. This is serious stuff which can negatively impact the organic cotton clothing industry.

But on a more serious front, the finding by UCS that cross pollination between GM and non-GM crops is occurring opens up the very real possibility that our consumable crops are also being contaminated by pharmaceutical based DNA. What does that mean? For the past decade, big pharmaceutical companies have been genetically modifying plant crops to produce drugs. In the US there are no regulations to protect against the possible contamination of non-GM crops by nearby GM crops. Let me provide a superb example outlined by UCS.

Let's say a big pharma is growing corn with the ability to produce a drug such as a growth hormone. The pollen from this GM crop is carried through the air pollinating nearby non-GM corn.

The farmer of the none-GM corn harvests his seeds some of which are now genetically modified. These seeds are sold to a farmer who then grows the corn for food consumption not knowing that some of the corn is actually GM corn.

Some of this GM corn might have the genetic sequence for growth hormone production or might actually have growth hormone in the corn kernels. The consumer then purchases this corn and is unwittingly contaminating themselves and their family with a pharmaceutical drug.

It's a scary scenario but it is very conceivable it has already happened. It is impossible to know for sure as UCS was not able to test for the presence of pharma or industrial DNA because the markers needed to do such tests are not publicly available.

There are very serious risks associated with GM crops. We are messing around with biology; mixing and matching genes across different species. This is a dangerous game in which no one can anticipate all potential side effects with absolute certainty.

There are many natural ways we can increase food supply to feed our increasing population, such as improved agriculture practices, reducing soil erosion and salinization, reducing impact of urban sprawl, reducing pollution of water supplies, etc.

So, for your own health and the health of our planet, say no to GM crops. Buy organic and keep you and our planet healthy. And the next time you want to add to your wardrobe, think about organic cotton clothing instead.

Adrian Desbarats, the author, has a passionate desire for balance between nature and human needs. A biologist, he started FashionandEarth.com to provide a way for women to wear healthier, Earth friendly, stylish fashions. Visit http://www.fashionandearth.com for information on organic clothing.

What Do Clothing Choices Say?

When it comes to the food we eat, more and more people have become conscious of its origins. We want to know where it was grown, if pesticides were used, and how it was produced. Do you know if you are wearing organic clothing? Sadly, when it comes to clothing, many people either turn a blind eye or are simply unaware of the journey their favorite outfit might have taken before it fell into their hands. Look at what you are wearing right now. Do you know where your shoes were produced? Do you know what country your jeans were made in? And most importantly, do you have any idea of the conditions under which they were made?

Unfortunately, organic and fair trade clothing is the exception, not the rule. According to Unicef, an estimated 158 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 are engaged in child labor, which translates roughly to 1 in 6 children in the entire world. While it is not all clothing related, these children typically work in harsh conditions where they are often exposed to dangerous chemicals, dilapidated buildings or hazardous machinery. Not a very good start in life for a young child.

It is not just children, either. It is men and women, who are often underpaid for the work that they do on a daily basis, struggling simply to put food on the table. Efforts to unionize or to improve working conditions are often met with abuse or harassment, explains Americas Union Movement. The fear that production will be moved to another country is prevalent, stripping the local region of a major job provider. According to a special report by the BBC, many seamstresses are forced to retire in their early thirties due to failing eyesight. It is not uncommon for employees to work all night, rarely have a day off, and even faint from exhaustion. Workers are often paid by piece rates, so they struggle to work as quickly as possible, often at the cost of their own well being. It is a complex situation in that most workers are happy for the employment, albeit the conditions are less than ideal. While the goal is never to take jobs away from these people because the jobs are much needed, in many cases the unfairness is too severe to ignore.

The implications of a family pulled apart by sweat shop labor run deep. If children are working, they are not being properly educated, which makes their future even dimmer. Parents are often forced to leave children unattended for days at a time, as they must live close to factories, or on site. In effect, the wages and benefits provided by many textile mills are barely enough to keep a family alive. As a result, generation after generation is stuck on a subsistence treadmill, unable to get off, making just enough to survive but not enough to improve their lives.

What can you do? Knowledge is power. Do not be afraid to ask about the working conditions that a garment was made under at your favorite retailer. Purchase organic clothing or eco-friendly made from sustainable resources following fair trade practices.

Look for the GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) label. This is without a doubt the most thorough and credible standard encompassing both environmental impact and social impact.

And remember, you are what you wear. If we each make life choices and decisions based on the well-being of our fellow men, women, and children, we can make the world a better place, one garment at a time. For more information about Organic Clothing please visit http://www.fashionandearth.com.

Bamboo Clothing Saves the Environment Choose Organic Clothing; Eco Friendly Clothes

Does Bamboo Clothing Qualify For Sustainable Living Standards?

Detractors of bamboo clothing, which is considered organic clothing, have made a variety of claims namely:

1. Bamboo producers use fertilizers and pesticides on crops to increase productivity.

2. Land is clear cut to produce large bamboo monocultures reducing biodiversity.

3. Harsh chemicals used during production are harmful to people and the environment.

4. The bamboo production process uses excessive energy.

These are all valid concerns and I will share my findings.

Almost all bamboo rayon is produced in China. This is logical given that over 80 percent of global bamboo stands exist in Asia. Unlike cotton, bamboo needs no outside inputs such as irrigation or fertilizer. Its natural resistance to disease means no pesticides or insecticides are needed.

A mature Moso bamboo stand (the species used to produce textiles) has an average yield of 139,000 Kg per ha (Isagi et al, 1997). Compare that to cotton which yields an average of 845 Kg per ha (Kooistra and Termorshuizen, 2006) and you see that bamboo can produce a lot with less.

During manufacture, raw bamboo is pulped, treated with sodium hydroxide and heat to break the pulp down. Carbon disulfide is added to provide structure and the mixture is fed through spinnerets to produce fibers.

In China, all bamboo fiber is produced by one company, Jigao Chemicals. All of the bamboo used by Jigao is certified by the US National Organic Program (NOP).

Any bamboo crops certified as organic by a legitimate body such as NOP cannot employ such practices as clear cutting, synthetic fertilizers or synthetic pesticides. With this certification, the consumer is assured that the bamboo has been cultured in a sustainable manner.

It is true the production of bamboo clothing uses harsh chemicals but let me put that in perspective. All of the bamboo rayon in China is produced by one company from three facilities. As such, there are only three, centralized discharge points to deal with. Make sure these three discharge points are well treated and any impact to the environment and the workers is mitigated.

On the flip side, how do you control the spread of pesticides applied by aerial or land based spraying dispersed over several hundred or thousand acres of land used for conventional farming? Simply not possible because the escape of pesticides into rivers, streams, lakes and, ground water is inevitable.

And there is a significant human toll. For example, each year between 25 and 77 million farmers are poisoned by pesticides of which 1 million require hospitalization and at least 40,000 die (WHO, 2002). That seems a high price to pay to keep us in fashion.

In 2007 a study by CleanMetrics Corporation was commissioned to evaluate the green house gas, called GHG, production for each major textile group in production today. The table below summarizes our findings:

Fiber GHG Emissions
(C02 EQ/Kg Product)1
Bamboo Rayon 2.18
Organic Cotton 1.31
Hemp2 0.79
Conventional Cotton 3.39
Polyester 4.35

1. Farm to gate GHG estimates including CO2 emissions resulting from fertilizer and pesticide production (in the case of conventional cotton), C02 emissions from the soil and CO2 sequestration by the bamboo and cotton plants.

2. CO2 sequestration data could not be found for hemp. As such, the GHG value shown here is higher then actual.

Of the major eco-friendly textiles, bamboo rayon has the highest GHG output but it is still 50 percent lower then polyester and 36 percent lower then conventional cotton.

Its low GHG production, zero requirement for pesticides, fertilizers or irrigation and amazing yield makes bamboo clothing a legitimate eco-friendly option.

There is currently over 31 million hectares of land under conventional cotton using 30 million Kg of pesticides each year. For every 100 thousand hectares of this land converted to bamboo, hemp or organic cotton, we eliminate about 100 thousand Kg of pesticides, reduce GHG output by approximately 2 million Kg and save approximately 1,000 lives. We literally can make a difference one shirt at a time!

Adrian Desbarats, the author, has a passionate desire for balance between nature and human needs. A biologist, he started FashionandEarth.com to provide a way for women to wear healthier, Earth friendly, stylish fashions. Visit http://www.fashionandearth.com for sustainable living clothing choices.

Polyester Clothing Hazardous to Health - Choose Natural Clothing

Wearing Polyester Clothing May Be Hazardous To Your Health

Polyester is no substitute for maintaining your health, especially if you are thinking about having children! Consider choosing the potentially safer alternative in eco-friendly clothing.

There are many good reasons to choose eco-friendly clothing over polyester clothing. Polyester clothing is produced using oil which is an obviously unsustainable resource. It also takes a large amount of energy to produce polyester and given that it is not biodegradeable, it fills up our land fills.

But new research is also suggesting that polyester may not be good for our health. Due to its synthetic structure, polyester clothing produces very strong electrostatic potential. Recently, researchers have begun exploring the impact of electrostatic potential on our health. This research is both enlightening and frightening.

One study, reference Shafik A, 2007, explored the effect of different types of textiles on pregnancy in 35 pregnant dogs divided equally into one control and four experimental groups. During pregnancy, the test groups were dressed in a garment made of either pure polyester, cotton or wool, or of a 50/50 polyester-cotton mix. Serum estradiol 17B and progesterone were measured before and every 15 days during pregnancy. Electrostatic potential was assessed on the skin before and after wearing the garment.

The dogs wearing cotton, wool and polyester-cotton mix as well as five of the seven wearing pure polyester garments had normal serum estradiol and progesterone during pregnancy and produced normal offspring. The remaining two animals of the group wearing pure polyester showed low serum progesterone levels in the first month of pregnancy and had spontaneous abortions. Mating was attempted in these two dogs during the subsequent estrous cycle without making them wear polyester garments. Serum levels of reproductive hormones were normal and they produced normal offspring. Electrostatic potential was detected on the skin of only the polyester dressed groups, and was higher in the pure than in the mixed polyester groups.

Given the low numbers involved in this study, conclusions could not be drawn. However, given the fact that low serum progesterone and abortion was observed only in the pure polyester group is a cause for concern. Abortion seemed to be due to the low serum progesterone which may have resulted from the injurious effect of EP on the ovarian or placental function.

Although this study was not statistically conclusive, past research, reference Shafik, 1999, conducted on human males was very clear. In the 1999 experiment, the impact of polyester on spermatogenesis was investigated. In that study, 11 male subjects wore polyester underwear. All subjects wearing the polyester underwear developed a significant electrostatic charge across the scrotum. Of the 11 subjects, 4 individuals developed a significant reduction in sperm count as well as testicular degeneration after 14 months. In a control group wearing cotton underwear, no changes in sperm count was observed.

Removal of the polyester underwear produced a complete reversal in affected subjects back to normal sperm count and elimination of the electrostatic potential.

The study went further to explore the possibility of using polyester as a male contraceptive. The contraceptive effect of a polyester sling applied to the scrotum was studied in 14 men who wore a polyester suspensor for 12 months.
The sling consisted of polyester fabric and was fashioned for the scrotum to lie within it.

The suspensor was used day and night and was changed when soiled. I won't get into the nitty gritty details but the end result is that ALL subjects became azoospermic, zero sperm counts, after approximately 140 days. The good news is that the process was reversible.

It seems clear to this author that polyester has a real and negative impact on the human body seemingly due to the significant electrostatic potential produced by the fabric.

If you are trying to have kids and are a man I would strongly suggest clearing all the polyester underwear out of your drawers! If you are a woman, I would suggest not taking any chances and avoid wearing polyester clothing, at least while pregnant. And while you are at it, stock up your wardrobe with some eco-friendly clothing items. Not only will the planet appreciate it, but maybe your health too!

Adrian Desbarats, the author, has a passionate desire for balance between nature and human needs. A biologist, he started FashionandEarth.com to provide a way for women to wear healthier, Earth friendly, stylish fashions. Visit http://www.fashionandearth.com for information on organic clothing.

Why Wear Eco-Friendly Clothing-Choose Organic Clothing

When it comes to fashion, there are more options out there than ever before. From big box stores to high end designers, consumers are constantly met with advertisements to purchase various products. Amid all these options is the small, but growing, world of eco-fashion. Sustainable fibers are not only comfortable, but they are now available in fashionable, high quality garments, So, why are real women like you choosing organic fashion? We caught up with some fashionable women who love to choose eco-friendly clothing and asked them that very question.

"I purchase organic clothing because that way I know that no pesticides were used in the making of the materials. Those pesticides are harmful to all living animals," says a student at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, in Halifax, NS. She's right. Pesticides that are used to help grow non-organic clothing materials have major ripple effects on the environment, from the workers in the fields to the fish in the streams hundreds of miles away. Choosing to wear clothing that is certified organic guarantees that no harmful pesticides were used to grow the materials in the clothing you wear.

A research analyst in Kingston, Ontario has a few reasons for choosing sustainable fibers. For one, her skin is sensitive to not-so-natural products, and certain fibers tend to irritate it. When she came across bamboo clothing, her skin fell in love: "It's better for my skin and helps prevent my environmental allergies. The fabrics feel amazing!" she gushes, noting her favourite as bamboo. "It has a texture very similar to silk," she says. "It is nice to know that my clothing choices are minimizing the harmful pollutants that are contributing to the environmental toxicities that flourish today". Bamboo, a naturally sustainable resource, is a great choice. Not only does the fabric feel fantastic, but it's easy to care for, has a beautiful drape, and its perfect for sensitive skin.

"I like to financially support the industry that I politically support," says a Research Assistant, also in Kingston, Ontario. "It's responsible buying," she says, and it's true. Many earth friendly companies are family owned and operated, and it's nice to support local businesses and small organizations rather than the huge corporations that are so prevalent in today's business world. It's about awareness and respect for the environment, and purchasing eco-friendly clothing is just part of a bigger picture for an overall lifestyle.

"Some of my favourite brands make clothes out of sustainable resource,"says a personal trainer in Ottawa, Ontario. "It's great for working out because it looks good and feels good!" She should know because she consistently chooses athletic gear that's made from organic cotton or viscose bamboo because it is so breathable. "It drapes beautifully, too," she adds, referring to her post-work out wardrobe. Depending on the weight of the garment you are wearing, you'll find that organic clothing is not only sustainable, but very becoming and flattering, traits that come from both the cut and the fabric of a garment.

So, why do you wear eco-friendly clothing? Is it because of its innately comfortable and wearable qualities? Is it for political or social reasons? Or do you have another reason altogether? Whatever your reason, the result is the same: quality clothing that's chic, and is socially responsible.
Adrian Desbarats, the author, has a passionate desire for balance between nature and human needs. A biologist, he started FashionandEarth.com to provide a way for women to wear healthier, Earth friendly, stylish fashions. Visit http://www.fashionandearth.com for sustainable living clothing choices.

Why Buy Organic Clothing - Wear Healthier

Who would guess that wearing organic clothing has such a huge, eco-friendly impact on the worldwide environment! What you never knew about not-so-innocent cotton and polyester.

Non-organic cotton and polyester make up approximately 80% of all fiber production globally. Approximately 10,000-17,000 L of water is required to produce 1 Kg of cotton lint. This heavy water requirement has led to water shortages in many areas of the world such as the Aral Sea.

Over 73% of cotton fields world wide are irrigated (Kooistra and Termorshuizen, 2006). Improper irrigation techniques such as flood-furrow lead to salinisation. Salinisation is a condition which occurs through evaporation. Water contains minerals such as salt. If water is not allowed to penetrate the soil, that water evaporates, leaving behind the mineral salts. If this happens repeatedly, minerals will build up in the soil top layer. This salt build up will make the soil inhospitable to continued agriculture activity. An estimated 100 million hectares has been abandoned by farmers due to salinisation and cotton is the main crop involved in this arable land loss.

Conventional cotton consumes 11% of the world's pesticides and 24% of the worlds insecticides, despite the fact that cotton only uses 2.4% of total arable land. Additionally pesticide and insecticide use is difficult to control due to its broad blanket application.

Because land application of pesticides and insecticides is difficult to control serious collateral damage to environment is common. For example, it is estimated that pesticides unintentionally kill approximately 67 million birds each year (Lotus, 2004).

Pesticides are highly persistent and as such, will stay around in ground water for a long time. This can lead to pesticides entering our drinking water and slowly poisoning us. For example, Tariq (2003) reported wide spread pesticide contamination of groundwater due to cotton cultivation in Pakistan and India. Pesticide contamination isn't just a third world problem. On Prince Edward Island, Canada, 110 domestic wells have been monitored since 2004 for pesticides. Pesticides were detected in 7.5% of domestic wells in 2004 and has steadily increased to over 15% in 2007 (Government of PEI, 2008).

Low level exposure to pesticides in drinking water won't likely have immediate effects on our health but in the long term, a variety of health effects are possible. There are convincing connections between pesticides and an increased risk of developing a variety of solid tumors such as brain cancer, kidney cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and other cancers such as non-Hodgkins lymphoma, leukemia as well as reproductive effects including: birth defects, fecundity, fetal death, and intrauterine growth retardation (Sanborn et al, 2004).

And these are just the long term effects of chronic or low level exposure to pesticides. In many third world countries, application of pesticides by hand spraying is common and this type of close contact with highly concentrated pesticides can have far more dramatic consequences. It has been estimated that at the global level 40,000 lives are lost annually due to pesticide application (WHO, 2002), representing 10% of all casualties in the agricultural sector (ILO, 1997).

Now let's discuss polyester. The main raw material used to produce polyester is oil. Oil is non-renewable so obviously, polyester production is not sustainable. Polyester is also not biodegradable. Any polyester textiles that end up in the land-fill will remain there for a very long time.

Close to 12 billion pounds of post consumer textile waste ends up in our land-fills every single year (EPA, 2008). With approximately half of this textile waste being non-biodegradable polyester, the implications are obvious.

Polyester production is an energy hog. Approximately 80 GJ of energy is required to produce one metric ton of polyester amounting to green house gas (GHG) emissions of approximately 5.5 mt CO2 per mt polyester (Robert Smith, Lenzing Fibers).

The textile industry is very important to developing economies. However, in its current state it is simply unsustainable. Conventional cotton is polluting our eco-systems, destroying our bio-diversity and poisoning our populations. Polyester is a big contributor to GHG emissions and choking our land-fills.

Organic cotton clothing, organic wool, hemp, Tencel, silk and bamboo offer a way to meet our fashion needs in a responsible manner.

Adrian Desbarats, the author, has a passionate desire for balance between nature and human needs. A biologist, he started FashionandEarth.com to provide a way for women to wear healthier, Earth friendly, stylish fashions. Visit http://www.fashionandearth.com for information on organic clothing.

Soy Based Clothing - Ideal for Women With Sensitive Skin

Soy Based Clothing Brings Surprises and Amazing Benefits!

You take soymilk in your coffee. You choose tofu over turkey. You even use a soy based hand cream and burn soy candles. Did you know that the benefits and uses of soy stretch far beyond these every day uses? In fact, soy is becoming a sought after addition in clothing and garments. While the health properties of taking soy internally are debatable from the perspective that some research indicates that there can be too much of a good thing, the benefits it brings to the fashion industry are indisputable: it is comfortable, environmentally friendly clothing, and has been called the "vegetable cashmere" because of its incredibly soft properties.

Made from tofu manufacturing waste and a by-product of soybean oil production, soy fabric is made from soy protein. Soy clothing is both renewable and biodegradable. The protein is liquefied and then turned into long, continuous fibers, which are then spun into cloth. Because it is essentially made from a production by-product, it is an amazing use of what might otherwise be waste. Soy is typically blended with other fabrics such as organic cotton and/or spandex to produce garments that feel as good as they look. Soy is also known for its luxurious appearance and excellent ventilation properties.

Wash soy clothing on a delicate cycle, and try to avoid washing with rough garments such as denim. Hang or lay flat to dry because using the dryer is not recommended for soy products, as it will wear out your garment. Hanging garments to dry is a good general rule as it is not only good for the fabric, but a better choice for the planet. Soy clothing is known for being quick-to-dry, and becoming increasingly soft as it is washed.

Soy clothing is ideal for women with sensitive skin, as its softness is kind to easily irritated skin. It is also known for being a "sanitarian fibre" which basically means that it has good compatibility with the skin, due to the fact that it contains amino acids. Soy is also known among clothing manufacturers as having a very good capability for dying, ensuring that it holds color well. This means a longer life for your garment, and a good resistance to external factors such as the sun or perspiration. With the proper care, a piece of soy clothing will last you for years to come.

Be good to yourself, and be good to the earth by choosing garments that are sustainable, eco-friendly, comfortable, attractive and fashionable!
Adrian Desbarats, the author, has a passionate desire for balance between nature and human needs. A biologist, he started FashionandEarth.com to provide a way for women to wear healthier, Earth friendly, stylish fashions. Visit http://www.fashionandearth.com for information on organic clothing.