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However, growing and processing this particular fiber crop is largely unsustainable. For every pound of cotton harvested, a farmer uses up 1/3 lb of chemical, synthetic fertilizer.<ref> http://www.sayitgreen.com/organic/fairtrade.html</ref> As a whole, the US cotton production makes up 25% of all pesticides deployed in the United States. Worldwide, cotton takes up 2.4% of all arable lands yet requires 16% of the world’s pesticides.<ref name="organic">http://www.ota.com/organic/environment/cotton_environment.html</ref> Furthermore, the cotton hulls contain the most potent insecticide residues. They are often used as cattle feed, which means that consumers are purchasing meat containing a concentration of pesticides.<ref name="organic" /> The processing of cotton into usable fibers also adds to the burden on the environment. Manufacturers prefer cotton to be white so that cotton can easily be synthetically dyed to any shade of color.<ref name="peruna">http://www.perunaturtex.com/scientif.htm</ref> Natural cotton is actual beige brown, and so during processing, manufacturers would add bleach and various other chemicals and heavy metal dyes to make cotton pure white. <ref name="savvy">http://savvybrown.com/health/whats-the-problem-with-cotton-part-1/</ref> [[Formaldehyde]] resins would be added in as well to form “easy care” cotton fabric.<ref name="savvy" />
However, growing and processing this particular fiber crop is largely unsustainable. For every pound of cotton harvested, a farmer uses up 1/3 lb of chemical, synthetic fertilizer.<ref> http://www.sayitgreen.com/organic/fairtrade.html</ref> As a whole, the US cotton production makes up 25% of all pesticides deployed in the United States. Worldwide, cotton takes up 2.4% of all arable lands yet requires 16% of the world’s pesticides.<ref name="organic">http://www.ota.com/organic/environment/cotton_environment.html</ref> Furthermore, the cotton hulls contain the most potent insecticide residues. They are often used as cattle feed, which means that consumers are purchasing meat containing a concentration of pesticides.<ref name="organic" /> The processing of cotton into usable fibers also adds to the burden on the environment. Manufacturers prefer cotton to be white so that cotton can easily be synthetically dyed to any shade of color.<ref name="peruna">http://www.perunaturtex.com/scientif.htm</ref> Natural cotton is actual beige brown, and so during processing, manufacturers would add bleach and various other chemicals and heavy metal dyes to make cotton pure white. <ref name="savvy">http://savvybrown.com/health/whats-the-problem-with-cotton-part-1/</ref> [[Formaldehyde]] resins would be added in as well to form “easy care” cotton fabric.<ref name="savvy" />
====Bt cotton====
====Bt cotton====
{{Main|Bt cotton}}
To reduce the use of pesticides and other harmful chemicals, companies have produced [[genetically modified]] (GMO) cottons plants that are resistant to pest infestations. Among the GMO are cotton crops inserted with the Bt ([[Bacillus thuringiensis]]) gene.<ref>http://www.bt.ucsd.edu/gmo.html</ref>
To reduce the use of pesticides and other harmful chemicals, companies have produced [[genetically modified]] (GMO) cottons plants that are resistant to pest infestations. Among the GMO are cotton crops inserted with the Bt ([[''Bacillus thuringiensis'']]) gene.<ref>http://www.bt.ucsd.edu/gmo.html</ref>
Bt cotton crops do not require insecticide applications. Insects that consume cotton containing Bt will stop feeding after a few hours, and die, leaving the cotton plants unharmed.<ref>http://www.bt.ucsd.edu/how_bt_work.html</ref>
Bt cotton crops do not require insecticide applications. Insects that consume cotton containing Bt will stop feeding after a few hours, and die, leaving the cotton plants unharmed.<ref>http://www.bt.ucsd.edu/how_bt_work.html</ref>
As a result of the use of Bt cotton, the cost of pesticide applications decreased between $25 and $65 per acre.<ref name="bt">http://www.bt.ucsd.edu/bt_cotton.html</ref> Bt cotton crops yield 5% more cotton on average compared to traditional cotton crops.<ref name="bt" /> Bt crops also lower the price of cotton by 0.8 cents per pound.<ref name="bt" />
As a result of the use of Bt cotton, the cost of pesticide applications decreased between $25 and $65 per acre.<ref name="bt">http://www.bt.ucsd.edu/bt_cotton.html</ref> Bt cotton crops yield 5% more cotton on average compared to traditional cotton crops.<ref name="bt" /> Bt crops also lower the price of cotton by 0.8 cents per pound.<ref name="bt" />
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[[Ford Motor Company]] co-founder [[Henry Ford]] was known to have worn ties and suits derived from soy products as an effort to promote the use of soybeans for fabrics.<ref>http://www.citybarbs.com/?p=78</ref> However, soy fabrics fell out of public knowledge during [[WWII]], when [[rayon]], [[nylon]], and cotton sales rose sharply.<ref>http://www.cool-organic-clothing.com/soy-clothing.html </ref>
[[Ford Motor Company]] co-founder [[Henry Ford]] was known to have worn ties and suits derived from soy products as an effort to promote the use of soybeans for fabrics.<ref>http://www.citybarbs.com/?p=78</ref> However, soy fabrics fell out of public knowledge during [[WWII]], when [[rayon]], [[nylon]], and cotton sales rose sharply.<ref>http://www.cool-organic-clothing.com/soy-clothing.html </ref>
===Hemp===
===Hemp===
{{Main|Hemp}}
===Bamboo===
===Bamboo===
{{Main|Bamboo}}
===Seaweed===
Bamboo fabrics are made from heavily pulped bamboo grass.<ref name="wise">http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-bamboo-fabric.htm</ref> Making clothing and textile from bamboo is considered sustainable due to the lack of need for pesticides and agrochemicals.<ref name="versus">http://www.d6clothing.com/d6/green-info-bamboo-vs-cotton/</ref> Naturally disease and pest resistant, bamboo is also fast growing. Compared to trees, certain varieties of bamboo can grow 1-4 ft long per day, and can even branch and expand outward because of its underground rhizomes.<ref>http://www.natural-living-for-women.com/bamboo-clothing.html</ref>
⚫
===PET Plastic===
Like cotton fibers, bamboo fibers are not naturally yellowish in color and are bleached white with chemicals during processing.<ref name="wise"/> However, more and more clothing companies are leaving organic bamboo fabrics unbleached.<ref name="wise"/>
{{See also|Bamboo textiles|Bamboo fibre}}
⚫
===PET plastic===
{{Main|PET plastic}}
{{See also|Synthetic fiber|Plastic clothing}}
==Recycled clothing==
==Recycled clothing==
In addition to promoting a sounder environment by producing newer clothing made with sustainable, innovative materials, clothing can also be donated to charities, sold into consignment shops, or recycled into other materials. These methods reduce the amount of landfill spaces occupied by discarded clothes. According to XX, xx% of clothing materials are saved from landfills annually.
In addition to promoting a sounder environment by producing newer clothing made with sustainable, innovative materials, clothing can also be donated to charities, sold into consignment shops, or recycled into other materials. These methods reduce the amount of landfill spaces occupied by discarded clothes. According to XX, xx% of clothing materials are saved from landfills annually.
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* [[Sustainable fashion]]
* [[Sustainable fashion]]
* [[Clothing]]
* [[Clothing]]
* [[Fiber crop]]
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

Revision as of 03:17, 19 November 2010

New Page, still editing, please do not delete, thank you.

Sustainable clothing refers to fabrics derived from eco-friendly resources, such as sustainably grown fiber crops or recycled materials. Historically, being environmentally-conscious towards clothing meant (1) buying clothes from thrift stores or any shops that sell second-hand clothing, or (2) donating used clothes to shops previously mentioned, for future reuse and/or resale. In modern times, with a prominent trend towards sustainability and being ‘green’, sustainable clothing has expanded towards (1) reducing the amount of clothing discarded to landfills, and (2) decreasing the environmental impact of agro-chemicals in producing conventional fiber crops (i.e. cotton). Under the accordance of sustainability, recycled clothing upholds the principle of the “Three R’s of the Environment” – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, as well as the “Three Legs of Sustainability” – Economics, Ecology, and Social Equity. Through the utilization of recycled material for the manufacturing of clothing, this provides an additional realm of economic world profit. Sustainable Clothing will provide a new market for additional job opportunities, continuous net flow of money in the economy, and the reduction of raw materials and virgin resources. Source reduction or reducing the use of raw materials and virgin resources can ultimately reduce carbon emissions during the manufacturing process as well as the resources and carbon emissions that are related to the transportation process. This also prevents the unsustainable usage of extracting materials from the Earth by making use of what has already been used (i.e. recycling).

Traditional fiber crop

Cotton

Main article: Cotton

Cotton, also known as vegetable wool, is a major source of apparel fiber. Celebrated for its excellent absorbency, durability, and intrinsic softness, cotton accounts for over 50% of all clothing produced worldwide. This makes cotton the most widely used clothing fiber.[1] However, growing and processing this particular fiber crop is largely unsustainable. For every pound of cotton harvested, a farmer uses up 1/3 lb of chemical, synthetic fertilizer.[2] As a whole, the US cotton production makes up 25% of all pesticides deployed in the United States. Worldwide, cotton takes up 2.4% of all arable lands yet requires 16% of the world’s pesticides.[3] Furthermore, the cotton hulls contain the most potent insecticide residues. They are often used as cattle feed, which means that consumers are purchasing meat containing a concentration of pesticides.[3] The processing of cotton into usable fibers also adds to the burden on the environment. Manufacturers prefer cotton to be white so that cotton can easily be synthetically dyed to any shade of color.[4] Natural cotton is actual beige brown, and so during processing, manufacturers would add bleach and various other chemicals and heavy metal dyes to make cotton pure white. [5] Formaldehyde resins would be added in as well to form “easy care” cotton fabric.[5]

Bt cotton

Main article: Bt cotton

To reduce the use of pesticides and other harmful chemicals, companies have produced genetically modified (GMO) cottons plants that are resistant to pest infestations. Among the GMO are cotton crops inserted with the Bt (''Bacillus thuringiensis'') gene.[6] Bt cotton crops do not require insecticide applications. Insects that consume cotton containing Bt will stop feeding after a few hours, and die, leaving the cotton plants unharmed.[7] As a result of the use of Bt cotton, the cost of pesticide applications decreased between $25 and $65 per acre.[8] Bt cotton crops yield 5% more cotton on average compared to traditional cotton crops.[8] Bt crops also lower the price of cotton by 0.8 cents per pound.[8] However, there are concerns regarding Bt technology, mainly that insects will eventually develop resistance to the Bt strain. According to an article published in Science Daily, researchers have found that members from a cotton bollworm species, Helicoverpa zea, were Bt resistant in some crop areas of Mississippi and Arkansas during 2003 and 2006.[9] Fortunately, a vase majority of other agricultural pests remain susceptible to Bt.[9]

Alternative fiber materials

Organic cotton

Main article: Organic cotton

Organic cotton is grown without the use of any genetically modification to the crops, without the use of any fertilizers, pesticides, and other synthetic agro-chemicals harmful to the land.[10] Organic cotton tends to be more expensive, but its impact on the environment is kept to a minimum. All cotton marketed as organic in the United States is required to fulfill strict federal regulations regarding how the cotton is grown.[11]

Naturally colored cotton

Main article: Naturally colored cotton

Cotton is naturally grown in varieties of colors. Typically, cotton color can come as mauve, red, yellow, and orange hues.[4] The use of naturally colored cotton has long been historically suppressed, mainly due to the industrial revolution.[4] Back then, it was much cheaper to have uniformly white cotton as a raw source for mass-producing cloth and fabric items.[4] Currently, modern markets have revived a trend in using naturally colored cotton for its noted relevance in reducing harmful environmental impacts. One such example of markets opening to these cotton types would be Sally Fox and her Foxfiber business—naturally colored cotton that Fox have bred and marketed.[12] On an additional note, naturally colored cotton is already colored, and thus do not require synthetic dyes during process. Furthermore, the color of fabrics made from naturally colored cotton does not become worn and fade away compared to synthetically dyed cotton fabrics.[13]

Soy

Main article: Soy

Soy fabrics are derived from the hulls of soybeans—a manufacturing byproduct. Soy fabrics can be blended (i.e. 30%) or made entirely out of soy fibers.[14] Soy clothing is largely biodegradable thus has a minimal impact on environment and landfills. Although not as durable as cotton or hemp fabrics, soy clothing has a soft, elastic feel.[15] Soy clothing is known as the vegetable cashmere for its light and silky sensation.[15] Soy fabrics are also moisture absorbent, anti-bacterial, and UV resistant.[15] Ford Motor Company co-founder Henry Ford was known to have worn ties and suits derived from soy products as an effort to promote the use of soybeans for fabrics.[16] However, soy fabrics fell out of public knowledge during WWII, when rayon, nylon, and cotton sales rose sharply.[17]

Hemp

Main article: Hemp

Bamboo

Main article: Bamboo

Bamboo fabrics are made from heavily pulped bamboo grass.[18] Making clothing and textile from bamboo is considered sustainable due to the lack of need for pesticides and agrochemicals.[19] Naturally disease and pest resistant, bamboo is also fast growing. Compared to trees, certain varieties of bamboo can grow 1-4 ft long per day, and can even branch and expand outward because of its underground rhizomes.[20] Like cotton fibers, bamboo fibers are not naturally yellowish in color and are bleached white with chemicals during processing.[18] However, more and more clothing companies are leaving organic bamboo fabrics unbleached.[18]

See also: Bamboo textiles and Bamboo fibre

PET plastic

Main article: PET plastic
See also: Synthetic fiber and Plastic clothing

Recycled clothing

In addition to promoting a sounder environment by producing newer clothing made with sustainable, innovative materials, clothing can also be donated to charities, sold into consignment shops, or recycled into other materials. These methods reduce the amount of landfill spaces occupied by discarded clothes. According to XX, xx% of clothing materials are saved from landfills annually.

Charities

Main article: Charitable organization

People can opt to donate clothing to charities. In the UK, a charity is a non-profit organization that is given special tax form and distinct legal status.[21]. A charity is “a foundation created to promote the public good”.[22] People donating clothing to charitable organizations in America are often eligible for tax deductions, albeit the donations are itemized.[23]

Clothing donations

Generally,charitable organizations often sell donated clothing rather than directly giving the clothing away. Charities keep 10% of donated clothing for their high quality and retail value for the thrift shops.[24] Charities sell the rest of the donations to textile recycling businesses.[24]

Examples of charitable organization

The following is a list of few charitable organizations known for accepting clothing donations.

  • Salvation Army
Main article: Salvation Army

An Evangelical Christian-based non-profit organization founded in 1865, United Kingdom.[25]

  • Good Will Industries
Main article: Good Will

A non-profit organization founded in 1902, United States, at Boston, MA. Originally started as an urban outreach [26]

  • United Way
Main article: United Way

A non-profit organization originally named Charity Organization Society, established 1887, United States. Currently a coalition of charitable organizations.[27]

  • Oxfam International
Main article: Oxfam

A non-profit organization founded in 1942, United Kingdom. Formerly Oxfam Committee for Famine Relief. Originally established to mitigate famines in Greece caused by Allied naval blockades during World War II.[28]

Controversy

There are “charities” that are actually for-profit organizations. These organizations are often multi-billion dollar firms that keep profits accrued from selling donated clothing.[29] Monetary donations are given for public goodwill, but only at relatively few percentages.[29] For example, Planet Aid, a supposedly non-profit organization that collects donated clothing, reportedly gives only 11% of its total income to charities.[29] Such organizations often use drop-off boxes to collect clothes. These drop-off boxes look similar to their non-profit counterparts, which mislead the public into donating their clothes to them.[30] Such public deception prompted backlash, one example where a mayor called for the city's removal of for-profit clothing donation bins.[31] To search for reputable charities, please see Charity Navigator’s website.[32]

Consignment

Main article: Consignment

In layman’s terms, a clothing consignment shop sells clothes that are owned not by the shop’s owner but by the individual who had given (or consigned) the items to the shop for the owner to sell.[33] The shop owner/seller is the consignee[34], and the owner of the items is the consignor.[35] Both the consignor and the consignee receive portions of the profit made from the item.[36] However, the consignor will not be paid until the items are sold.[36] Therefore, unlike donating clothing to charities, people who consign their clothes to shops can make profit.

Textile recycling

Main article: Textile recycling

According to an ABC News report, charities keep approximately 10% of all the donated clothing received.[24] These clothes tend to be good quality, fashionable, and high valued fabrics that can easily be sold in charities’ thrift shops. Charities sell the other 90% of the clothing donations to textile recycling firms.[24] Textile recycling firms process about 70% of the donated clothing into industrial items such as rags or cleaning cloths.[24] However, 20-25% of the second-hand clothing is sold into an international market.[24] Used jeans collected from America, for example, were sold to low-income customers in Africa for modest prices.[37]

See also

References

  1. ^ http://knol.google.com/k/cotton-fabric#
  2. ^ http://www.sayitgreen.com/organic/fairtrade.html
  3. ^ a b http://www.ota.com/organic/environment/cotton_environment.html
  4. ^ a b c d http://www.perunaturtex.com/scientif.htm
  5. ^ a b http://savvybrown.com/health/whats-the-problem-with-cotton-part-1/
  6. ^ http://www.bt.ucsd.edu/gmo.html
  7. ^ http://www.bt.ucsd.edu/how_bt_work.html
  8. ^ a b c http://www.bt.ucsd.edu/bt_cotton.html
  9. ^ a b http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080207140803.htm
  10. ^ CCVT Sustainable
  11. ^ AMSv1
  12. ^ http://www.vreseis.com/
  13. ^ Dickerson, Dianne K."Naturally Colored Cotton". Page 5
  14. ^ http://www.natural-living-for-women.com/soy-clothing.html
  15. ^ a b c http://www.the-eco-market.com/soy-fabric.html
  16. ^ http://www.citybarbs.com/?p=78
  17. ^ http://www.cool-organic-clothing.com/soy-clothing.html
  18. ^ a b c http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-bamboo-fabric.htm
  19. ^ http://www.d6clothing.com/d6/green-info-bamboo-vs-cotton/
  20. ^ http://www.natural-living-for-women.com/bamboo-clothing.html
  21. ^ http://www.charityfacts.org/charity_facts/index.html
  22. ^ http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=charity
  23. ^ http://taxes.about.com/od/deductionscredits/a/CharityDonation.htm
  24. ^ a b c d e f http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=2743456&page=1
  25. ^ http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-dynamic-arrays/816DE20E46B88B2685257435005070FA?openDocument&charset=utf-8
  26. ^ ministry.http://www.goodwillncw.org/goodwillhistory.htm
  27. ^ http://liveunited.org/pages/history
  28. ^ http://www.oxfam.org.uk/oxfam_in_action/history/index.html
  29. ^ a b c http://www.moneyunder30.com/donating-clothing-beware-for-profit-drop-boxes
  30. ^ http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2010/10/goodwill_warns_fake_donation_b.html
  31. ^ http://www.kirotv.com/news/21727639/detail.html
  32. ^ http://www.charitynavigator.org/
  33. ^ http://www.inventoryops.com/ConsignmentInventory.htm
  34. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consignee
  35. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consignor
  36. ^ a b http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-consignment-shops.htm
  37. ^ http://www.gciatl.com/media.html
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