Eco Friendly Fashion
Within the ever-changing world we live in the current purchasing trend
seems to tell consumers to, "
Go
green," even though half of us do not fully comprehend exactly
what that means. Sure, it would be fantastic to buy products and
services similar to what we already use while protecting the environment
at the same time, but with all the gimmicks and sales out there how can
a consumer know exactly what is legitimate and what is a scam? For
example, I recently read an article that said green clothing is now the
latest
eco friendly fashion;
but even the author himself did not seem to know what that meant while
he threw around bold statements and predictions.
To start...is there such a thing as "eco friendly fashion?" The short
answer is yes, because industry has made it possible in recent years to
recycle almost anything. Tires are being made into shoes (which
ironically cost more than the tires did when new), tee shirts are made
from all kinds of recycled materials, and jeans are constructed from
threads that are more renewable within our environments. With that said,
the same process that pumps toxic chemicals into our atmosphere is used
to recycle many of these materials, so it may more likely be a scenario
of killing a forest to save a neighboring tree. While this is not true
in all cases, I only mention it to be fair to all parties and help
consumers stay informed.
Now that the definition is partially out of the way, how does one
determine if a piece of clothing is green? The answer comes from
observing the clothing labels that you see within department stores and
outlets; two key phrases you are looking for are "made from 100%
recycled material" and "made from sustainable resources." What these
mean is that either the clothing was made from something from the past
or it is created from sources that regenerate faster than it is
harvested. By using these processes the strain on natural resources are
reduced and it allows our world to recover from the damages we have
already caused by aggressive consumption.
So what about the clothing you already have? Well, the resources for
those have already been collected, produced in a factory likely
dangerous to the environment, and shipped overseas for another drastic
waste in natural fossil fuels. No matter what damages may have been
created by your former purchases, they are certainly not causing any
harm to the environment in their current condition and they should be
worn as long as possible. Their usable lives can be extended by washing
them less frequently or with gentle cycles, and future purchases should
also be made with durability in mind. By wearing clothing that will last
longer or searching for brands made with recycled or renewable
materials, you are effectively doing your part in joining the green
revolution and protecting the environment. Not to the extent that others
would have you believe, mind you, but a difference nonetheless.
About the author
Sok has been helping every day people save money since 2001. It began
as a objective to learn how to save money with coupons for online
purchases every now and then but has since evolved to a lifestyle. Now
Sok spends his time, both online and offline, not only looking for
coupons but also how to go beyond just coupons to get extreme savings on
every day items. "Don't under-estimate the value of a coupon"