Clothes

H&M Has More Sustainable Fabrics!

ckane — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The Swedish-import clothing chain H&M hasn't just now jumped on the sustainable bandwagon, they began incorporating organic cotton in 2004 into some children's items and have eased into it ever since. Now, they're continuing with more organic cotton than ever (2,000 tons will be used this year, as opposed to 30 tons two years ago), as well as organic wool, recycled wool, and recycled polyester.

“We are now using organic cotton in all departments. We’re proud that we’re able to meet increased interest from our customers and at the same time contribute to the increased demand for organically grown cotton. Garments made from organic cotton include both fashion items and updated basics,” says H&M Head of Design Ann-Sofie Johansson.

The organic cotton they use is all certified by the Control Union , and the retailer is also a member of The Organic Exchange, which promotes the growth of the organic cotton industry. In addition to stimulating the growth of the organic cotton industry, which can take a few years for each individual farmer who makes the conversion, H&m also hopes to improve the growing methods for conventional cotton.

That does it: shopping it H&M is no longer a guilty pleasure.

Target's Organic Line, Going Soon

ckane — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Rogan Gregory's beach-safari organic cotton women's fashion collection for Target stores has gotten a mixed response since its debut on May 18. But if you're one of the ones who liked the designs, better get them now, because they're leaving stores June 28. The pieces, many of which have animal prints and incorporate a downtown-streetwear feel, range from $14.99 to $44.99, so actually, good luck finding anything left in stores or online by the end of this month.

Rogan is Target's 11th GO International designer, which is part of a program to bring designer fashion to the great unwashed masses. The New York City- based designer Gregory is also behind the orgainic cotton line Loomstate, as well as the EDUN collection, which aims to stimulate with employment in developing countries.

The GO line debuted at Barney's in New York, as well as in Beverly HIlls. The New York debut was attended by Felicity Huffman, Elizabeth Banks, Amy Smart, and Nicky Hilton, among other celebs. That's kind of cool for giving more cachet to the Target line, but no fair--this is limited-edition and those ladies can afford the usual steeply-priced organic stuff.

Image: Target

Eco Footwear Brand Terra Plana Wants You to Go Barefoot

ckane — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Well-made ethical footwear (and any other -wear) can be so prohibitively expensive, not to mention not even very attractively designed, that I wonder how well it really sells. How many disgruntled consumers just go to their local Payless and buy seven pairs of petrochemical confection for the same price of one pair from the eco brand? Not that I, uh, have ever done that, of course.

Ahem.

Considering that, this is pretty great news, from the Terra Plana website:

Due to extraordinary demand we are sold out of Vivo Barefoot in the USA. We are furiously making more shoes and will have more Vivo Barefoot available in July.

(I love picturing shoemakers furiously toiling away.)

Vivo Barefoot is Terra Plana's line based on the studies that have shownn that walking barefoot is best for the health of the body. (Put a what's-in-it -for-me spin on it, and products can sometimes become more popular.) The durable soles are supposedly so thin you can feel what kind of terrain you're walking on, just like if you were barefoot. The company aims to use as many recycled materials as they can, from parachutes to old coats to soiling materials (we don't know what that last one is, either). They also use chrome-free leathers, vegetable tanned leathers, recycled rubber soles, recycled foam foot beds, and and minimal glue.

Another probable contributor to the high demand: they are cute.

Organic Lingerie and Wedding Dress Ideas

ckane — Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The problem with most of the lines of organic lingerie, I've found, is that often they look beautiful and delicate and all that sexy lingerie jazz, but the bras look to be useless for any kind of support purpose. If you're going to wear one of those flimsy confections (that are not cheap), then why even wear a bra? The Oko Box makes the first organic bra that actually looks practical to me: their organic underwire bra. True--it's not very sexy, but the line has cuter little undies (the ones pictured here made from vintage tree-print fabric), or go to Stella McCartney's organic, sustainable line for the really frilly, lacy fancy pants.

The Oko Box also maintains a rather girly, quite readable blog that recently did a thorough rundown of organic/ eco-friendly wedding gown ideas. Curses to The Oko Box blog for turning me on to yet another droolsome vintage gown online boutique to comb through when I should be working: TheFrock. Le sigh.

Other right-on topics they've covered include organic plus-size clothing, DIY herbal remedies and sex health for teens. This little company also regularly donates to the National Wildlife Federation and they use "100% real people models." They are awesome.

Green your wardrobe: Vintage, Organic, DIY or Recycle

ellen — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:07:42 -0400

A simple way to be more eco conscious is to pay attention to what you're buying when you purchase your clothes and what you're doing with the items you no longer want.

NEW ORGANIC

If you're buying something brand new, look to organic, hemp and bamboo. The made-to-last quality of these products will keep these items around much longer. An Australian article from EcoDirectory reads " buy clothes made to last rather than cheap rubbish". What better way to say it.

For local listings of stores in Brooklyn and Manhattan which carry these eco-friendly products, check out the newly published book, Greenopia NYC.

D I Y

Want to save resources and energy? Do It Yourself! Hand knitting pieces for gifts or for yourself is a great way to do so, while also picking up a social hobby. If you're looking for environmentally friendly materials, and some knitting advice, Purl Soho is a local company that that you may want to check out. They offer new techniques, a chance to schedule an interview with artists, and an array of natural materials such as silk and bamboo.

Vintage Clothing - 1 OF A FIND NYC - Park Slope

Want another great way to reduce your carbon footprint? Purchase vintage or used clothing. Purchasing these types of clothes reduces CO2 and resources that go along with manufacturing, and theres a good chance you're wallet will be happy with often-times lower prices of these already worn, but still in good shape items. We've recently discovered a wonderful retail store in Park Slope that just opened, called One of a Find NYC located at the corner of 7th ave and Lincoln Place.

The owner, Honey Moon hand selects each item on her travels, gathering a wonderful display of vintage and already worn items from around the US. In the store you'll also find a rack of new designs from a Denver designer, created from reused fabrics. The store presents a friendly atmosphere - I met MJ in the store who was very helpful as well.

* image of storefront*

* image inside the store*

RECYCLE

What about those old overalls in your closet that you dont want to admit you still have? Or what about that shirt that you just can't bring yourself to throw away? Well be sure NOT to throw any of them away! Particularly in our local Brooklyn neighborhood, there are many options to recycle those clothes that someone out there will treasure. Local churches have clothes drops, and you may want to consider bringing your old clothes to a local Free Meet, or a clothes swap, such as the Brooklyn Clothing Swap.

www.ehapc.com

[brooklyn green] www.ehapc.wordpress.com

Students Recycle and Reduce Garbage: Take It Or Leave It

akronheim — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The Ithaca College Environmental Society (ICES) found it absurd during move-out time at the end of the academic year when the amount and quality of garbage sky rocketted. They found clothes, mini fridges, hangers, food, microwaves, working electronics, computers, you name it, they found it in the dumpsters at school.

So, they started Take It Or Leave It (TIOLI). They put large bins in every dorm room where students can leave things worth donating or selling. ICES members go around campus, pick up the stuff they want for themselves, donate food and clothes, and then store the school/dorm room supplies to sell at the beginning of nxt year.

It really reduces the waste from the campus at that time of year; a full tractor trailor gets used for sorting the stuff. Plus, you get free stuff for helping out, and it raises between $500-$1000 for the club that year. When I ived in the Boston University dorm in D.C. while interning for Greenpeace's Project Hot Seat, there was a collection for similar things in the basement. I took a purse and some noodles from down there. Everyone donated and much less waste was thrown out than could have been.

It is easy to get people to put their stuff in a different place when it is advertised. It's also easy to collect, take what you want, and donate and sell the rest. It is am amazing way to divert some stuff out of the waste stream into the re-use system and I think it should be implemented at every residential college/university. It just makes sense. And that picture is of me doing it freshmen year...I found a sweet halloween costume!

Want to find out more about recycling?

Recycling Tips: Did You Know You Cannot Recycle Messy Pizza Boxes?

The Benefits of Recycling: Let’s Talk Trash

Recycling the Looking Glass: When Garbage and Art Collide

Top 10 Recycling Resources

Recycled Record Snack Tray

The Benefits of Recycling Cardboard

The Art of Garbage

Reduce, Reuse… FREECYCLE

Recycle Those Electronics!

Back to Basics—RRR

Picking Up Garbage TVs and Recycling as Art

Knight Rider Recycled—Reborn With Green Twist!

Recycling Your Garbage: Where Does it All Go?

Fundraising ADDS UP!

Julia — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 22:29:01 -0400

If you’re looking for a unique and environmentally ethical fundraiser idea, look no further than WE ADD UP fundraising t-shirts. The WE ADD UP fundraising project is an opportunity for schools, colleges, and non-profits to educate their community and make a real impact.

WE ADD UP is a global campaign using organic cotton t-shirts that literally “counts you in” in the fight against global warming. Every tee is one of a kind, in that it is printed with one unique number which represents your place in the sequential global count of all the people who are taking steps to help stop climate change. On the back of each shirt is a word or phrase that describes an action almost anyone can take to reduce their carbon footprint - the contribution their lifestyle makes to greenhouse gases - such as, Unplug, Lights Off, Carpool, Hybrid, Bike, Buy Local, and 18 others. You choose which action you are committed to doing and get counted in.

They pride themselves in the concept of, “No one can do everything. Everyone can do something. And, WE ADD UP.” Groups also receive 20% off all sales and there are no up front costs included. Kids t-shirts are also available! So you can fundraise at any ago level!

This is not all that can be purchased on the website devoted to end global warming, one person at a time. There are also tote bags available, made with fair labor and 100% cotton. Americans run through an overwhelming 380 billion plastic bags per year - and only about 5.2% are recycled. In landfills, plastic bags take over 1,000 years to biodegrade. The tote explains itself by saying you will take neither plastic nor paper bags.

WE ADD UP water bottles are also available. It is really important to remember that plastic water bottles are one of the biggest wastes this country contributes. They are everywhere, and so convenient that you just can’t help it sometimes. Over 85% of plastic water bottles in the US end up as garbage and take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade. Americans spend nearly $11 billion each year on bottled water. Invest in a water bottle for life and this will be a huge contribution to your ethical environmental impact!

The same goes for reusable coffee mugs. Americans throw away 25 billion styrofoam cups every year. You can bring a traveling mug to any café, and lots of times, independent shops offer discounts for filling up your reusable mug.

Count yourself in and contribute to the end of global warming now! WE ADD UP. Check it out at: www.weaddup.com.

Marsupial Provides a Pocket of Warmth

RiverWired.com — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 01:00:00 -0400

It’s Good: The Synchilla Marsupial from Patagonia is a simple, comfortable fleece in the quality traditional on which Patagonia has built its reputation. This model features a “huge,” kangaroo-style pouch with more than enough space for whatever knick knacks you might care to tote around with you.

It’s Green: The Marsupial’s fleece material is made from 85% recycled materials, so you’ll look great, be insulated, and feel good about yourself for reducing your carbon footprint as you strut around in your new digs.

It’s Here: Patagonia.com

It’s: $80

Traverse the Earth with Earth Shoes

RiverWired.com — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:00:00 -0400

It’s Good: Earth is a shoe company that prides itself on comfort, craftsmanship, and design, and the Lazer-K model is no exception. Featuring an exclusive lightweight sole and exceptional ventilation, you’ll be rearing to go on an epic hike every time you strap these babies on.

It’s Green: Not only do all Earth shoes feature their patented “Kalso Negative Heel Technology” for improved posture and comfort, the Lazer-K is also 100% vegan, and is fully certified by The Vegan Society.

It’s Here: PlanetShoes.com

It’s: $89

Natalie Portman’s Eco-Friendly Footwear

RiverWired.com — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

It’s Good: Natalie Portman has teamed up with a host of designers from footwear label Té Casan to create a complete, Spring 2008 line of sexy, stylish shoes that reflect the actress’ personal style and sophistication.

It’s Green: The Té Casan line is completely vegan, and contains zero animal byproducts. Instead, Té Casan’s designers utilize alternative materials, like luxurious Italian and Spanish faux leathers, that look exquisite, but harm no animals in their construction.

It’s Here: TeCasan.com

It’s: Styles range from $160- $450