Dress Naturally
The days of faded synthetic fabrics are a thing of the past. Today’s green movement has brought forth a new consciousness for how fibers are grown and manufactured. Organic cotton and natural fibers are replacing traditional fabrics and synthetic fibers. Just as concern over the harmful effects of insecticides and pesticides in our food supply has given rise to the demand for organic produce and vegetables, concern over the high use of insecticides and pesticides in growing cotton and other natural fibers has given rise to demand for organic cottons and garments free of these and other poisons and carcinogens.
Visit Project571 for organically echo chic clothing.
Are you aware that:
- Conventionally grown cotton accounts for more than 25% of worldwide insecticide use and 10% of the pesticides. Pesticides used on cotton are among the most hazardous.
- Children are at greater risk for pesticide-related health problems than adults. Millions of children in the US receive up to 35% of their estimated lifetime dose of some carcinogenic pesticides by age five through food, contaminated drinking water, household use, and pesticide drift.
- It takes one pound of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to conventionally grow the three pounds of cotton needed to make a T-shirt and a pair of jeans.
- Farm workers working in conventionally grown cotton fields in the US and around the world suffer from an abundance of toxic exposures and related health problems. Pesticides used on cotton cause acute poisonings and chronic illness to farm workers worldwide. Acute respiratory symptoms and other health effects in communities surrounding cotton farms are correlated with high use of defoliation chemicals.
ORGANIC COTTON
Organic cotton is important for the future of our world. Besides the quality-of-life benefits from organic cotton, the quality of clothing produced from organic cotton is also substantially higher. Organic cotton plants produce longer-stable cotton fibers which yield stronger yarn and more durable fabrics. Pesticide-free long-stable cotton also feels softer and more breathable and luxurious against the skin.
HEMP
Hemp has many excellent properties and is being found more and more in quality garments. Hemp is the most environmentally positive crop, actually improving the condition of the soil. It requires no herbicides and is naturally resistant to insects, fungus, and other pests. Hemp has been in use since 770 AD. Since that time, it has been used to make everything from rope to clothing, to paper. As a fabric, hemp filters UV light, so your skin is protected. It resists bacterial growth, so you won’t smell, again, no guarantees about your personal habits, but we’re not adding to the cause. Hemp has four times the strength of cotton so it won’t weaken when washed. A step away from cotton, the drape and hang of hemp has been compared to linen. Like a baseball glove you’ve had for ten years, hemp fabric becomes softer with use. Hemp also absorbs moisture quickly, keeping your body dry. Being one of the most durable fibers on earth, hemp isn’t going anywhere for a long time, except out of our narrow-minded country.
BAMBOO
Bamboo fabric is made from the fibers of bamboo grass, and is softer and more sustainable than cotton. Because it grows so fast - up to one foot every 24 hours - it is one of the most renewable resources on the planet. It also produces 30% more oxygen than a hard wood forest on the same amount of land. Used in everything from flooring and construction to bed sheets, bamboo is quickly becoming a popular choice for environmentally conscious people around the globe.
ORGANIC WOOL
Conventional wool is dipped in pesticides and then a chemical bath to remove lanolin. Luckily there’s such a thing as organic wool from organic sheep farmers. Organic sheep farmers must maintain pastures without chemical fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides, and sheep feed must be certified organic, sans antibiotics or hormones. Organic wool is a warm beautiful fabric and has natural antimicrobial properties. Another benefit of wool is that sheep re-grow wool at an incredible rate, up to 40 pounds a year each! Sheering sheep keeps them healthy and clean while providing plentiful wool for clothing. So no harm no foul!
RECYCLED POLYESTER
Recycled Polyester is a polyester that has been manufactured by using previously used polyester items. In the clothing world, recycled polyester clothes can be created from used clothes. Polyester is still a synthetic fabric, so it’s not going to be as organic as plant fibers such as hemp, bamboo, ramie etc. Traditional polyester has potential health hazards and environmental issues that make it a lot less eco-friendly than it could be. A relatively new brand of polyester called Eco-Intelligent® Polyester (launched in 2001) aims to overcome the health hazards and environmental issues inherent in traditional polyester.
THE FACTS
Conventionally grown cotton accounts for more than 25% of worldwide insecticide use and 10% of the pesticides. Pesticides used on cotton are among the most hazardous.