Environment, Organics, Fair Trade & Recycling at Big Green Purse

How to Shop for Eco-Friendly Clothes - Part 2: Try TENCEL or Lyocell

If we were to separate clothing into categories, somewhere in between natural fibers like cotton or hemp and man-made petroleum fibers like polyester, we'd find Lyocell, "a natural cellulose" product. Lyocell  is made by processing wood pulp into fiber so it can be woven into fabric and sewn into socks, underwear, pants, and blouses, among many other fashion options.

Lyocell, which is also sold under the trade name TENCEL® or Lenzing Lyocell, offers several advantages over conventional cotton and even rayon, another fiber made from cellulose. The trees Lyocell is made from are grown without pesticides, often in sustainably managed forests on land that's not suitable for other crops. Though harsh chemicals are needed to soften the wood pulp so it can be converted into fiber, the chemicals are captured in a "closed loop" processing system so they can be reused rather than discharged into local water supplies. (NOTE: The Organic Clothing blog cautions people who are highly chemically sensitive to be alert to possible allergic reactions to TENCEL.)

Lyocell also offers advantages over cotton when it comes to water. According to this excellent analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council, unless the cotton is only grown using rain water, Lyocell can end up using far less water to produce than either conventional or organic cotton. Sustainable textiles expert Coral Rose notes, "I strongly believe Lenzing’s products are a key component to any sustainable fiber strategy, when considering all the environmental impacts associated with fiber growing and production." 

New Innovations in TENCEL® are giving way to several variations of the fabric. TENCEL® MICRO is a very smooth silky fiber, while TENCEL® with Multitouch can be used to make heavier fabrics like denim.
 
Shopping for TENCEL®

TENCEL® products are widely available, some at very reasonable prices. Forever 21, for example, offers a severl TENCEL-based garments like this blazer.

You can also find a huge selection of TENCEL® clothing at Tianello.

To try out a TENCEL® sheet set, check out Downlite  or even your local Bed Bath and Beyond Store.

 

Use Your Purse!

The U.S. has an extremely high average fiber consumption per capita, approximately 41.8 kg per year compared to the international average of 10.5 kg per year. Clearly, how we choose to spend our money on clothing directly affects the environment. The next time you are faced with a choice between TENCEL® and cotton, choose the most eco-friendly option: TENCEL®.

For More Information...

Don't miss Part 1 of our series, "How to Shop for Eco-Friendly Clothing"

You can learn more about Tencel if you read this interview with Coral Rose, who has been a featured speaker at events such as The ECO-SHOW, All Things Organic (ATO), and Texworld-New York, to name a few. In this article Coral points out how rare it is to find a company that answers the questions “what is the source of our raw materials? [and] Where were the materials harvested, processed, produced?” Her opinion on the environmental impact of fiber growing and production is that Lenzing Modal and Tencel come out on top.

Modal
 Modal, which is also manufactured by Lenzing, is made from beech trees. Modal is highly absorbent and, like Tencel, resists fading.  100% Modal  is most often made into towels or bedding, though it blends very well with cotton and is another great choice for clothing.

How to Shop for Eco-Friendly Clothes - Part 1: Read the Label

If we want our apparel to be "eco," most of us start by buying vintage or second-hand, swapping with friends or family, or dragging out the sewing machine to pull together a pattern or alter an old style into something more trendy. We recycle our clothes in a lot of creative ways, too. But even with all that, we may still need to buy new at some point.

When that time comes, what should you look for? We've previously tackled the problems with buying apparel made from bamboo, even if it claims to be "eco friendly." Organic cotton is among the most reliable options to choose; it's gotten pretty easy to find socks, t-shirts, maybe even some lingerie made from this "green" fiber. But beyond that, the choices are pretty slim, especially if we still do most of our clothes shopping at the mall.

So if bamboo is out and organic cotton is hard to find, what does that leave? We'll attempt to answer that question and more with this primer on how to shop for eco-friendly clothes.

Here's Part #1 - Read the label.

When shopping for "greener" clothes, ignore words like "environmentally friendly," "nature safe," and "eco." Instead, look for third-party certifications  for claims that mean the shirt or shoes or pajamas were predominantly made from sustainable fibers by adults, not kids, in a Fair Trade process that minimizes its environmental impact. The following companies certify companies that meet these criteria.

GOTS - The Global Organic Textile Standard

The raw materials that GOTS certifies must first be approved organic by a trusted company such as The Institute for Marketecology.GOTS will then review every step in the manufacturing process, from the harvesting of raw materials right through to proper product labeling. GOTS pays special attention to the dyeing process, as this can be extremely harmful to the health of workers as well as the environment. GOTS will not certify any manufacturer that uses any heavy metals, formaldehyde, GMO enzymes or carcinogenics.

GOTS is also very strict about environmental discharge during production and chemical residues in the finished product. GOTS will grade a product as an "Organic Textile" if it has at least a 95% organic origin. They will grade a product as "Textile containing organic fibers" if it has at least 70% organic origin. Several companies partner with GOTS and share their standards, including ICEA, based in Italy, ECOCERT, based in France , the Organic Trade Association in the U.S., Soil Association, based in the UK , and the Japan Organic Cotton Association.

Global Enfant sells baby and children s products that are both COTS and SA8000 (see below) certified.
 Recycle a Tee also uses GOTS certified materials.

 

Oeko-Tex® Standard 100

Oeko-Tex is also recognized globally as a reliable and independent 3rd party eco-certification. The company will test and if applicable, certify textile raw materials, as well as intermediate and end products at all stages of production.  Oeko-Tex will allocate a product into one of four classes based on how much contact it has with skin. Products intended for babies, for example, must meet more stringent requirements than those woven into a woman's blouse.  

Eden Home and Green Earth Bamboo  both offer Oeko-Tex-certified clothing for the whole family.

 

 SA8000
If a company states that it is SA8000-certified, it means it has passed a globally recognized social accountability standard for fair and humane working conditions. Specifically, products must meet the following criteria to be considered for SA8000 certification: No Child Labor, No Forced Labor, Proper Health and Safety, Workers' Freedom of Association and Right to Collective Bargaining, No Discrimination, Reasonable Working Hours, and Fair Wages.

 

Fair Trade Certified™ You may already be purchasing Fair Trade coffee or chocolate. This certifying group now also certifying apparel and linens. If you are buying apparel that has been Fair Trade Certified, you can feel good about your purchase knowing that you are helping fight poverty and develop sustainability for some of the world’s most indigent cotton farmers and factory workers.

In the US, HAE NOW and Tompkins Point Apparel are among a handful of companies that have been Fair Trade Certified.

Read more about sustainable and eco-friendly clothing here. And check back soon for Parts 2 and 3 of our eco-friendly clothing series.

 

Washington, D.C. Woman Shifts $1,029 of Her Household Budget to Go Green

It's one thing to say you want to be "eco friendly." It's quite another to put your money where your mouth is and spend real dollars on greener products and services, especially in these days of tight budgets and an uncertain economy.

Yet that's exactly what Bonnie C., a 26-year old resident of Washington, D.C., has done. Bonnie is single, lives in an apartment, and works for the U.S. Government. Here's her story:

"I read a blog post of yours last year encouraging readers to redirect $1000 in spending to green purchases.  This really struck me, and I decided to try it.  I hit $1000 in December when I installed my own programmable thermostat.  Here's how I did it:

BONNIE'S BIG GREEN SHIFTS

Used furniture (sofa, dining table, patio table, TV, TV cabinet): $340, but the TV and cabinet were free!

 Used Bike: $250

Garden Plot, tools, soil: $200

Organic Food: $75

Glass food containers: $40

Organic Body Products: $5 (but I've only run out of toothpaste, so I expect this number to grow)

No VOC Paint: $40

CFL Lightbulbs: $20

Green Cleaning Products: $25

Programmable Thermostat: $34

Total: $1029

Even though I live in an apartment, I installed the thermostat and painted - I'll change them back when I move out.

I think it's also interesting to note that most of these purchases saved me money.  I'm 26, and I don't have a large budget to reallocate, but by buying used items, I must have saved hundreds.  The lightbulbs and thermostat will save me money, AND I don't have to get out of bed in a cold house!  I also bought a fuel-efficient Honda Fit that gets about 34 mpg on average for my typical commute, but 37-38 on long road trips.

This year I'm planning to shift more spending towards food and beauty products.  I'm also trying to get a roommate, which will not only cut down on expenses, but house 2 people using about the same energy as 1.

Most of these were really easy changes, but I'm still getting over sticker shock of organic food and beauty products.

Changing out the thermostat was surprisingly easy.  Yes, there were tons of poorly labeled wires, but we followed the directions carefully and it only took about 30 minutes.

Next I'm looking for a roommate!  I'm also going to try to get into composting.  And I'll keep migrating to better food and beauty products."

Bonnie's also going to keep working on her boyfriend, who was helpful if skeptical. "He was reluctant at first," she says, "but had a positive view after we finished those projects (installing the thermostat and setting up the garden plot)."  I'm still trying to get him into better toiletries and food, but he was a quick sell on green cleaning products!"

Thanks for blogging and motivating me!"
Bonnie

As Bonnie knows, every dollar you shift makes a difference. The way you spend your money is your first line of defense against products that contain toxic ingredients or waste energy. Just as importantly, buying "green" encourages companies to reduce pollution and use water and other natural resources with greater care. Plus, choosing more environmental options often saves you money immediately. For all these reasons, the Big Green Purse One in a Million campaign inspires people to set a goal of shifting at least $1,000 of money they'd spend anyway on the most environmentally-friendly products available.

Thousands of people have already committed to shifting their spending. Why don't you? You can sign up here.

For more inspiring stories like Bonnie's, start here.

Meatless Monday: Here's How You Can Do It

What do you eat when you want to eat less meat? (If "Eat less meat" is NOT on your list of how to live healthier and greener, better read Ten Reasons to Eat Less Meat.)

Many folks used to whipping up burgers, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken nuggets, or pepperoni pizza fear they'll have the diet of a rabbit if they can't put a big juicy steak in the middle of their plate.

In reality, given the abundance of delicious fruits, vegetables, and grains sold in most supermarkets, making meat a bit player at dinner rather than the main event is easier than you think. Here's how you can get started.

* Meatless Monday - If the idea of giving up meat "cold turkey" throws you into a tizzy, why not start with one day - like today? You won't be alone. The "Meatless Monday" movement is gathering steam as folks like Sir Paul McCartney climb on the meat-free bandwagon. 

* Eat meat as an appetizer rather than the main course - Psychologists and dieticians have frequently observed that people derive the most satisfaction out of the first bite or two of whatever they're eating. (Think about it: that first taste elicits an "mmmmm - delicious." The last one? "Ughh - I'm so stuffed.") Could that be true of you, too? If so, relegate meat to appetizer status. Here are a few recipes to get you started.

* Find vegetarian meat substitutes that satisfy your tastebuds as well as your growling stomach. I'm partial to grilled tofu, pan roasted walnuts and pecans, and lentils and garbanzo beans ground into veggie burgers or tossed in soups and salads. Seitan and tempeh could be on the menu, too.

Vegetarian meals can be just as simple -- or complex -- as any meal you'd make with meat. These three  cookbooks provide delicious recipes worth giving a try.

Cookbooks You'll Love:

Salmonella-poisoned eggs make a strong argument for local, organic, family farms.

I love eggs, but I hate food poisoning more.

I'm betting so do the more than 2,000 people who have been sickened by eating tainted eggs produced by factory chicken farms in Iowa. After all, no one I know enjoys the impact salmonella has on their digestive tract, since it induces vomiting, dizziness, diahrrea, fever, abdominal cramps, blood infections and even death. 

 Investigators are still trying to understand how this potentially lethal bacterium was able to infect so many eggs in such a short period of time. One possible cause is getting a lot of attention: the way the laying hens were raised. Conventional poultry operations raise millions of chickens at a time, often in confined spaces and under filthy and inhumane conditions that reduce the ability of the animals to fight off germs. When disease hits, it spreads like wildfire. But with a fire you can see the flames coming. With salmonella, you don't know it's got you until you're doubled over in pain or on your way to the emergency room.

For now, eggs in 14 states in the midwest have been recalled. The good news is that this amounts to less than 1 percent of all eggs produced in the U.S. Still, disease outbreaks like these remind all of us to be vigilant about the food we eat. The following precautions will help you stay healthy:

Florida Resident Shifts $1,137 to Organic Foods, Native Plants & Worm Poop

Worm poop? It's not as crazy as it sounds (see post below). Worm castings (as they're more delicately called) make great organic fertilzer. They're also a terrific choice if you're looking for ways to shift your spending to greener products and services -- in this case, away from concentrated agricultural chemicals and towards all-natural soil amendments. That's just one of the choices Kimberly Button of Orlando made when she joined the Big Green Purse One in a Million campaign. What about others?

Well, Kim also started buying more organic chocolates and tea (who can blaim her?), organic groceries,and organically-based personal care products like body lotions and shampoos. She printed her business cards on recycled paper and bought recycled envelopes, too. Plus, she bought a re-usable stainless steel lunch container so she could forego plastic bags or takeout boxes. All told, she shifted more than $1,000 in just a few months, qualifying her to become a One in a Million member.

Now, you might think it was a "no brainer" for Kim to put her money where her mouth is. After all, she is a green living consultant who has founded her own sustainable business and website. (Make sure you check out her work at GreenWell Consulting and GetGreenBeWell). But she still has to manage a budget, make choices when she shops, and evaluate trade-offs.

So I asked her, "What inspired you to make the shifts to greener products and services?" "I started living greener because of health problems that weren't being adressed by modern medicine - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia," she said. "After quickly realizing the positive health benefits of living green, I really became more in tune with how my decisions directly or indirectly affect the health of the planet as a whole. It's a "Do unto others...." mentality that I have now.  What do my excessive spending habits do to the livelihoods of individuals less fortunate than us around the world?"  
  
Then I wanted to know, "What was easy about the shifts? What was more challenging?"  "Buying organic and healthier foods was definitely easier. There's an instant benefit there.  And buying green cleaners is a no-brainer. Same cost, or less, for the same cleaning power. Paying much more for healthier personal care products can be challenging sometimes, since the cost is often SO much more than the cheap stuff, but these are products that are being absorbed by your skin, so the health benefits to me are more important. I just find ways to use less stuff, and the savings justify the costs!"
 
Being intentional about how she's spending her money has also inspired Kim to plan for the future. "I hope to invest in larger, more expensive items such as rain barrels, a composter, a drip irrigation system and even a hydroponic garden system," she vows. "I know these are so important, but the initial expense can be quite expensive, especially when it also involves some modifications to your home."

In the meantime, Kim will contine to make affordable shifts in her day-to-day purchases that benefit her as well as the environment.

Kim's Shifts in 2010

January	Recycled Envelopes	6.50
February	Biodynamic Lotion (Clearance)	5.00
February	Organic Tea House	4.00
February	Organic Groceries	125.00
February	Non-Profit Org. Donation	25.00
March	Organic personal care products	54.00
March	Organic groceries	130.00
March	Seeds	10.00
March	strawberry & blueberry plants	12.00
April	Organic meats & produce	130.00
March	Organic Restaurant	8.00
March	Non-Profit Org. Donation	15.00
April	Green Business Cards	11.00
April	Stainless Steel Lunch Container	18.00
April	Organic Tea House	10.00
April	Eco Tour	80.00
April	Organic Chocolates	6.00
April	Organic Restaurant	54.00
May	Eco Friendly Pest Controls	4.50
May	Recyclable Pots	60.00
May	Compost/ Worm Castings/ Mulch	40.00
May	Organic Groceries	150.00
May	Green Web Site Hosting	40.00
May	Native Plants	30.00
May	Organic Groceries	109.00
TOTAL		$ 1,137

Feeling inspired? You can join the One in a Million campaign yourself. Here's how.

And to read about more One in a Million members, click here.

 

You Want Me to Buy Worm Poop?

It's not really as disgusting as it sounds. Worm poop is known in the world of organic gardening as worm castings (though really, they are poop).

You want to add them to your garden because they're so naturally rich in the kind of bacteria, enzymes and water-soluble nutrients that really give plants a kick in the pants (well, in their leaves, stems, flowers and fruits or vegetables) when the plant absorbs them through its roots. 

Says The Tasteful Garden, "Worm castings are packed with minerals that are essential for plant growth, such as concentrated nitrates, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and calcium. They also contain manganese, copper, zinc, cobalt, borax, iron, carbon and nitrogen. However, the best of all is that these minerals are immediately available to the plant, without the risk of ever burning the plant. Remember that animal manure and chemical fertilizers have to be broken down in the soil before the plant can absorb them."

You can use castings in potting soil, in soil for trees, shrubs, and flowers, and as mulch. You can even mix them with water to make a liquid fertilizer (otherwise known as "worm poop tea.")

If you're really bold, you can build your own worm bin and produce plenty of worm poop on your own.

On the other hand, if that idea totally disgusts you, go ahead and pick up castings from your local nursery or online here, here or here.

What Does "Natural" Mean?

 Dictionary.com defines natural as "not artificial" or "having undergone little or no processing and containing no chemical additives." When I think of "natural" I think of things "as Nature made them" - a tree, a flower, an apple, a bunch of carrots. I can recognize natural products in more or less their original form and can usually figure out whether they're good for me or instead pose some kind of threat (think "natural" poison ivy).

Businesses have long appreciated how much they have to gain by marketing their goods as "natural." It's why they've plastered the word all over products that, ironically, couldn't be farther from their natural state...like "natural" cheese puffs, crayola-colored gummy worms, ice cream that contains partially hydrogenated soybean oil and cocoa processed with alkali, and cleansers, soaps, toothpaste, and make-up that contain lye or lead.

Products like these slide by as "natural" because no law prevents any manufacturer or retailer from claiming they are (unlike the label "organic," which is strictly defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and whose use is policed by both the federal government and consumer groups.) That's why I and many other consumer advocates encourage shoppers to ignore words like natural, earth-friendly, or something else equally appealing but ambiguous. There's no way to know what they really mean.

The Natural Products Association wants to clarify the debate. The group, which represents more than 10,000 retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors of natural foods, dietary supplements, and health/beauty aids has issued a Natural Products Association Standard and Certification for Home Care Products like household cleaners, laundry detergents, and concentrated and ready to use hard-surface cleaners (they've previously issued a similar standard for personal care products). Only products certified under the standard can bear the NPA natural home care seal, which is supposed to signal to consumers that the product can be trusted.

Can it? Or is the standard just a clever attempt by companies better known for harsh and toxic ingredients to greenwash their products and cash in on the "natural" craze?

Six Ways to Green Your Valentine's Day

Here at Big Green Purse, we love love. So naturally, Valentine's Day is one of our favorite days of the year.

As it turns out, it also presents one of the best opportunities to shift your spending to greener goods. Of the billions of dollars spent on Valentine's Day gifts every year, more than a third are spent on flowers.  As beautiful as they may be, conventionally-grown cut flowers are usually doused with toxic pesticides that are damaging to people as well as the environment.

Solution?

• If you're planning to give a bouquet of classic red roses, order organically grown flowers to avoid those harmful chemicals.  Plenty of businesses offer organic roses as well as other flowers. 
• Choose flowers and greens grown locally. 
Your gift will leave a smaller carbon footprint than a bouquet that was flown in from South America or another tropical clime.  Visit Local Harvest to locate the flower grower nearest to you.
• Forage your own blooms.  Spend your money on a reusable vase rather than throwaway flowers, then fill it with holly branches, red twig dogwood, pine boughs, dried hydrangea blooms, cattails, or whatever else you can find in your yard. Garnish with a re-usable red ribbon.
• Give a potted plant instead of cut flowers.  The live plant acts as a mini carbon sink, and will last longer longer than any cut bouquet. Focus on plants that are particularly good at purifying indoor air, like chinese evergreens, spider plants, and peace lilies. 
• Make a basket.  Stock a garden basket with an assortment of flower seeds, a trowel, some gardening gloves, and maybe a new pair of clippers. In the spring, help your beloved sow the seeds, then enjoy the blooms all summer long.
• Dish up some bulbs. Fill a shallow bowl with small pebbles; place five or six narcissus bulbs on top. The bulbs will begin to grow as soon as they're watered; in six weeks, they'll have sprouted beautiful foliage and fragrant blooms that keep Valentine's Day alive long past Feb. 14.

Where's the chocolate, you ask?  Right here!

(Image credit)

Want to save energy? Cuddle up under eco-friendly bedding & blankets.

Outside, the temperatures are dropping. Inside, what do you do? Turn up the heat -- or  stock up on cozy blankets and bedding, especially if they're made from natural fibers like organic cotton, wool, and hemp? 

What makes these materials more environmentally friendly?

Natural fibers breathe more easily than synthetic fabrics, wicking away moisture if you sweat, and creating a layer of insulation when you generate your own body heat. Plus, organic and natural comforters and quilts do not contain 'finishing' chemicals like formaldehyde, a toxin that can irritate the skin, nose, eyes, and respiratory system (babies are especially sensitive). Plus, more environmentally-friendly covers will usually be colored with plant-based or low-impact dyes.

Some options:

Coyuchi environmental bedding is Fair Trade and made from 100 percent organic cotton, minus any solvents or resins.

Loop Organic provides a variety of hypoallergenic blankets and bedding that are also made with high quality organic cotton fibers free of toxic chemicals.

Sleep & Beyond makes classic organic comforters hand-filled with a USDA and WOOLMARK certified organic merino wool fiber called WoolGanique. The natural fiber allows the comforter to regulate and maintain stable body temperatures while keeping moisture away from your skin.

Dreamsacks/Bamboo Dreams blankets and bedding woven from organic bamboo fibers also adjust to your body temperature so they can be used year-round.

I've also found organic cotton and bamboo sheets at various J.C. Penney's and Target stores. If you don't see them while you're shopping, ask the store manager to stock up.

Note: Bedding made from organic fibers is more expensive. You can afford it by saving money on energy when you turn down your thermostat.  According to the Midwest Alliance, for every degree you lower your heat in the 60-degree to 70-degree range, you'll save up to 5 percent on heating costs!

Check out more home energy-saving tips and resources here.