Why Eco-Friendly Fabric or Clothing Is Needed
Saturday, October 11th, 2008Why Eco-Friendly Fabric or Clothing Is Needed
Today’s gas prices are hurting the economy. Everyone knows that car fuel is made from petroleum, but what many people don’t realize is that petroleum is also used in manufacturing polyester. For those who are trying to cut back on their family’s usage of this valuable limited resource, buying eco-friendly fabric or clothing is a great way to do this. This is just one example of why eco-friendly fabric or clothing is needed.
Polyester manufacturing creates a huge environmental footprint. The EPA states that many textile manufacturers are hazardous waste generators. And since petroleum is used in the manufacturing process, the energy output of creating polyester is not environmentally friendly. For those who are concerned about the state of our environment and would like to preserve it for future generations, buying eco-friendly fabric and clothing is the only option.
Many people don’t realize just how many chemicals are used to manufacture clothing. Many of these chemicals are known to be cancer-causing agents, and those who handle the chemicals must do so only while wearing protective clothing. It is worrisome that we then place these fibers, which have been treated with such harsh chemicals, directly on our skin. There is also major concern about the amount of waste generated by textile manufacturers. The printing process utilizes petroleum and heavy metals. The run-off from these materials flows into waterways and pollutes streams. The production of eco-friendly fabric is much gentler on the environment and on our bodies. Using natural crop-growing practices and natural fibers that are treated with gentle, organic substances provides consumers with a clothing option that not only ensures optimal health, but is also environmentally friendly.
Another grave issue facing the conventional textile market is the issue of labor. Sweat shops have had a lot of publicity in recent years, which has raised awareness around the world about the appalling work conditions for those who make clothes. This cheap labor is part of the reason that clothing is so inexpensive today, but inexpensive is not necessarily the best thing for the environment. Because clothing has become much less expensive, the waste generated by discarded clothes has risen to monstrous levels. There was a time when clothing was mended over and over before ever being discarded. Today, when one fashion is replaced by a new trend, the old clothes, which are still in good shape, are discarded. While many have set up programs to recycle clothing throughout the world, there is still a lot of waste generated by perfectly good clothing that is no longer in style.
Because of the many environmentally unsound practices within the conventional textile market, there are many consumers who want to invest in eco-friendly fabric and clothing. This is creating a large demand for organic fabric companies. Eco-labeling companies such as Global Organic Textile Standard, GreenSafe Mark, and Cradle to Cradle Certification, just to name a few, are a companies that provide a quality assurance system for organic fabric companies. When consumers see an eco label, they know that a quality assurance system is in place. This makes consumers comfortable with the product they buy; a product that they are willing to spend a little more on because it provides them with the peace of mind that their clothing is indeed made from eco-friendly fabric. With so many unsound environmental practices in the textile industry, it is important for consumers to have the option of buying eco-friendly fabric and clothing.