| An argument I regularly hear about buying organic | | | | By hanging our clothing out on the clothesline during |
| clothing is that the raw materials typically come from | | | | the summer and drying racks during the winter, we |
| overseas and all the green houses gases generated in | | | | could significantly reduce green house gases. |
| the shipping of those clothing articles to North | | | | If we went with energy efficient washing machines, |
| America far outweighs the eco-friendly benefits. | | | | re-examined our washing decisions and used less hot |
| A lot of big companies have spent considerable | | | | water, we could further reduce energy consumption. |
| effort analyzing the carbon footprint of their clothing | | | | For example, do you really need to wash that shirt |
| from cradle (where it's made) to grave (the point | | | | after just one wearing? How about those jeans or |
| when the clothing item has been retired by the | | | | pants? Yes, please wash the undies after each use; |
| consumer). Many of these studies are readily | | | | let's not get radical! |
| available. I have read a number of these LCA or Life | | | | But the biggest energy consumer in a washing |
| Cycle Analysis reports and the conclusions are all the | | | | machine is in the heating of water. By modifying our |
| same: energy consumption through shipping is but a | | | | hot water usage during the washing process, |
| small part of total energy consumed. | | | | significant energy can be saved. For example, try |
| In one such analysis carried out by Mark's and | | | | warm water as opposed to hot water. Or go with a |
| Spencer (February, 2002) it was found that energy | | | | cold water wash and use an enzymatic detergent. |
| consumption resulting from transporting the cotton | | | | But regardless of what warm water/cold water |
| from India to Egypt for manufacture and then from | | | | washing trick you go with, always use a cold water |
| Egypt to the UK for retail was insignificant, only | | | | rinse. |
| accounting for less then 1% of total energy | | | | Yes it's true that women's organic clothing costs |
| consumed! | | | | more then conventional clothing. Paying a fair wage |
| In contrast, the study found that over 75% of the | | | | to workers and costs associated with certifying and |
| energy consumed for a typical clothing item was at | | | | auditing the growing and manufacturing processes |
| the consumer level as a result of washing, drying and | | | | gets expensive. But when you buy that organic |
| ironing activity over the lifespan of the clothing item. | | | | clothing item, don't you feel so much better about |
| So, what does all this mean? | | | | yourself, knowing that you have made a difference? |
| We can all agree that buying organic clothing is | | | | And by taking responsibility for that clothing item |
| extremely important. Organic clothing eliminates | | | | after you've purchased it by air drying and by |
| pesticides and synthetic fertilizers that are polluting | | | | reducing hot water usage, not only will you increase |
| our environment and helps elevate the livelihood of | | | | the clothing's lifespan and significantly reduce green |
| workers in third world countries through fair trade. | | | | house gas emissions but you will also recover the |
| But at the consumer level, we need to take greater | | | | cost of the premium you paid. It's a win/win scenario! |
| responsibility for our clothing. | | | | |