Contrary to normal expectations, the glamorous world of fashion and the safeguarding of the environment can go together. More and more people are becoming aware of the ramifications of our actions on the environment, including manufacturers of clothing. Many universities in the United States today are promoting green fashion.The University of the Pacific in California, Kent State University in Ohio, and San Francisco State University are just a few of the schools in the US that made it a point to bring green awareness through education in eco friendly fashion.
Is Fashion Hurting the Environment?
Fashions come and go so quickly. For so many people, that means replacing what has gone out of style for the new trends on a regular basis. After all, who wants to be subjected to the glares that scream, “That was so last season!” With millions of Americans throwing out their outdated crimes of fashion, our landfills are now paying the price. 2.5 billion pounds of post-consumer textile waste is generated in the US each year. That’s almost 10 pounds per person.
The most widely used fiber worldwide and the most popular fabric in the US is cotton. Unfortunately, the production of this material uses nearly 1/3 pound of synthetic fertilizers to manufacture just one t-shirt, and more insecticides than any other crop. The insecticides being employed are the most acutely hazardous. One, Aldicarb, is so poisonous that it can kill a person with a single drop absorbed through the skin. Traces of this chemical have been found in the groundwater of 16 US states. The cotton crop spans 2.5% of the world’s croplands yet consumes 16% of the world’s insecticides. In response to these startling figures, there are clothing options that allow fashion to peacefully coexist with our health and the environment.
Green Fashion and Designers
Some designers patronize farms that grow organic cotton. According to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), organic cotton is grown in farms that use methods which create a minimal impact on the environment. They aim to maintain soil fertility and reduce the use of pesticides.
Another potential option is hemp clothing. Hemp is tolerant enough to be grown in most climates, requires minimal fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. This high-yield crop can help to minimize the greenhouse effect as hemp is a great carbon dioxide absorber. It’s a multi-use crop that produces a wide range of products utilizing nearly every part of the plant including the hemp seeds. Although the current price tag may be higher than cotton, the durability of hemp clothing will allow it to last up to six times as long. And after its usefulness, the used clothing is recyclable in paper production.
Recycled polyester is another clothing option that has cropped up. The material is produced from used soda bottles, a great contribution to the green fashion world. In fact, there are some eco-friendly designers who utilize recycled materials solely.
Promoting green fashion is very rewarding. You can walk past your run of the mill stores at the mall wearing something crafted by hands that care for the environment. Clothing is an expression of who we are. And how great is it to know that the clothes that represent us reflect a consideration of fashion and the environment. That is simply eco-fabulous!
