Green Goodness

We're all aware of the waste we produce and the current condition of our environment. Yet we want to live comfortably, remain fashionable and still be earth-friendly. Simple decisions about things as commonplace as the type of clothing we wear can make a difference in preserving the environment and conserving the earth’s precious resources. If we slow down - develop a respectful relationship with nature and understand the limited resources of our earth – our way of thinking and living inevitably changes.

Many clothes are created from synthetic or man-made fibers such as polyester and nylon. The manufacture of most synthetic fibers often involves the use of toxic chemicals and solvents and the by-products of such end up in the wastewater from the manufacturing plants. For example, polyester is made from petroleum, which is in increasingly short supply and has some dependence on foreign oil. In addition, the manufacture of polyester is energy-intensive requiring large amounts of crude oil and harmful emissions are released that can cause or aggravate respiratory disease. Finally, polyester is non-biodegradable.

So a choice to wear clothes made from renewable materials is a start. But some renewables still take a heavy toll on the environment. For instance, conventional cotton used in many clothes depletes the earth and pollutes the environment at the same time. Cotton crops account for a hefty percentage of all the pesticides used in the United States, which significantly impacts the environment. Due to the dangerous pesticides used, health problems arise for the cotton farm workers and certain plants and animals are killed creating an imbalance in the eco-system. While some conventional cotton growers have taken steps to reduce the amount of chemicals used to produce cotton, the environmental footprint still remains.

A better choice is to find materials whose fibers are organic. Taking the extra time to find clothes made from organic fibers such as hemp, cotton, linen, organic wool or bamboo is a way to make a difference. Organic fabric is harvested without using chemical fertilizers and harmful pesticides. The result is a fabric whose creation puts much less stress on our environment. And those fibers can be fashioned into clothes that reflect a lifestyle that respects the environment.

Don’t be overwhelmed in becoming more earth-friendly. Just be aware and make small changes everyday. Recycle when you can; carpool or walk when you can; and buy organic when you can. While none of us can take on the whole problem, we can make small choices, conscious personal decisions, that really do make a difference.

A little organic goodness for the soul!