Like it or not, the conventional textile industry is sadly one of the most polluting industries in the world.
Because of this, over the past five years we have seen a dramatic increase in consumer demand for apparel that utilizes planet friendly fabrics.
More than a quarter of the world’s insecticides are used for growing conventional cotton and these toxic chemicals kill countless animals, plants, animals, and insects, while polluting our soil and waterways. Pesticides also cause more than 5 million poisonings globally every year for farmers and their families (mostly in third world countries) and they even contain known carcinogens.
What’s worse is that not only are pesticides ridiculously dangerous, they are also really expensive and, ironically, it’s money from our United States taxes that pays to remove these harmful chemicals from our waterways so they don’t leak into our drinking water. How backwards is that?
The EPA has even stepped in on more than one occasion where pesticide run-off has killed hundreds of thousands of fish in our waterways. If diluted runoff is killing our fish, why are we okay with it sprayed all over our foods and cotton crops?
The more emphasis we can put on organic and eco-conscious buying as consumers, the more companies will respond with products that reflect a healthy planet and healthy people.
How can I buy Eco Apparel on a Budget?
I hear this one all the time and trust me I know how you feel. It’s true that apparel, foods, and even household products that are better for us, and for the planet, can be significantly more expensive because they are not produced in the same quantities as conventional products.
The truth is that the more we consume products that reflect how we think and the changes we want to see in our world, the stronger the message is to larger corporations that they need to step it up and re-evaluate their products.
Luckily for us fashionistas out there who want to wear clothes that reflect our values, there are amazing fashion forward pieces to be found. Check out some of my favorite eco retailers below that are truly green and offer comfortable, sexy, and budget friendly fashion.
Nimli www.nimli.com
MyEarth360 www.myearth360.com
Econscious Market www.econsciousmarket.com
Earth Girls Boutique www.earthgirlsboutique.com
The Greenloop www.thegreenloop.com
Visionary Boutique www.visionaryboutique.com
Twig and Twill www.twigandtwill.com
Eco Boutique www.shopecoboutique.com
By
Beth Doane
Rain Tees Founder and Designer