Green Clothing Guide

Introduction
Ethical green clothing has three primary aspects to it: the impact on the environment, the impact of the people who do the work in the end-to-end production, and the impact and treatment of animals or creatures who produce the fibers. This article deals primarily with the first two, although there is a word at the end about the treatment of silkworms.

Effects on the Environment
The growing and processing of “natural” fibers, as mentioned in our (above) definition of green clothing—fibers which are products of the earth, and which will re-compost—are affected by the practices of the farmers and the manufacturing companies involved.

In the production process these fibers may also be combined with wood pulp, soy, and corn, substances that are also compostable, and used in the manufacturing process to create textiles. When this occurs, a lot of energy is expended in the manufacturing process, creating a large carbon footprint, and begging the question as to whether or not there are more energy efficient processes available and whether it is cost-effective to implement them.

The growing needs of some of these plant sources may have the side effect of deforestation of natural areas for commercial growing purposes. Deforestation is the clearing of naturally occurring forests by human activities such as logging or burning in order to either use the trees for production or for gaining more cleared land for agriculture of commodities, building, or keeping livestock. The problem is that if deforestation activities are conducted without appropriate reforestation (restocking of existing forests or woodlands), many undesirable conditions can result, such as damage to the natural habitat of native species, soil erosion, and the relationship of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. If not managed according to environmental principles and when conducted on a large scale, it can result in deforested areas degrading into desert and wasteland.

Fair Trade Issues: People and the Environment
Much of the production of fibers and clothing takes place in developing countries whose workers are often marginalized and have not historically always had much self-sufficiency or stability. International groups have participated in this organized social movement to help ensure producers of many products, including fabrics and green clothing, among other items, are assured fair prices for their work for exports in an effort to provide equity that may not otherwise exist. International standards have been developed to certify producer organizations providing products, to guarantee fair prices, and to effect ethical purchasing through the banning of child and slave labor, safe workplace environments, the right to unionize, and the guarantee of UN-defined human rights.

Along with protecting human rights and working conditions as well as economics, Fairtrade certification also works to protect and conserve the environment upon which produce and raw materials are produced.

Many believe that they must take into consideration the ethical side of fiber and product production, the effects on people and the environment as well as fiber sources, methods of growing, energy expended, and chemicals used in manufacturing before making their choices of green clothing products.

Consider the Silkworm
Ethical green clothing often includes the treatment of the animals or creatures that produce fibers. For example, traditional silk is created by boiling cocoons still holding live silkworms near the end of their transformation cycle just before they emerge as butterflies. To prevent this, alternative processes have been developed that allow the silkworms to complete their metamorphosis, fly away free, and then the silk processing begins only after each cocoon has been checked to make sure it is free of the worm. Silk lovers concerned with how these insects are treated would do well to assure themselves that the silk they buy is ethically developed and processed, known as “humane silk.”

With all the concern about the environment, our health, our quality of life and that of future generations, it makes sense to look at the whole picture of what we can do collectively and as individuals to help preserve life as best we can, one item, one person, one family, one household, one neighborhood, one group, one – whatever (you get the picture) – and, one step at a time.

If you want to “go green,” and your clothing is one of those places where you want to start, great! Being informed about why and how will help you choose how to go about it; it’s part of a movement toward a healthier, more environmentally conscious life.

Now, more than ever, we need to be mindful of our home, the earth. As we care for ourselves, our families, our neighbors, our schools, our workplaces, our countries, we should consider how what we do affects the earth and its living organisms, down to the tiniest blade of grass, the tiniest species that are part of life’s balance (not that you have to LIKE all of them – some you don’t want near you, but there are ways to deal with them without spreading poisons throughout our water systems, etc.).

Recent man-made ecological disasters are taking a toll which will affect the wellbeing of the earth’s ecosystem and all living organisms worldwide in ways as yet unknown and untold.

It may be that you are one of those folks who want to help improve what we hold precious – life on earth, and wish they could help MORE somehow.

As a consumer, you hold a very powerful key to the earth’s future. Markets rise and fall based on your buying, and individual companies’ stock values do as well. Part of your voice comes from the purchasing choices you make on a daily basis.

It all depends on your vision, and how you act on it.

Green clothing and other personal or household products are not the entire answer, but it is a place to start.