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Sustainable/Biodegradable Products ™
sus·tain bi·o·de·grad·a·ble adj. : Capable of being decomposed by biological agents, especially bacteria: a biodegradable detergent. prod·uct n. : Something produced by human or mechanical effort or by a natural process. seal n. : Something, such as a commercial hallmark, that authenticates, confirms, or attests.
Every purchase we as consumers make acts as a vote for that certain product. If consumers continue to purchase products that are toxic to the environment, not recyclable or not made with recycled materials, manufacturers will never have the incentive to improve their products. Environmentally informed shopping allows individuals to take an active role in decreasing waste. T he environmentally- conscious individual realizes that the ecosystem provides all the necessities of life. However, through current consumer patterns, natural resources are taken from the earth, used, and passed along so that there are few beneficial returns to that ecosystem. Toxins, noxious gasses, contaminants, and undesirable compounds find their way into the water, air and soil. These materials are called "waste." Waste means that natural resources have been diminished so that less is available for use the next time around. Environmental and health- conscious consumers are concerned about the products they buy, but buyer beware, because labels can be misleading. For example, organic cotton does not mean chemical-free and environmentally- friendly does not necessarily mean chemical-free. Consumers aren't always told whether the garment has been chemically- altered at some stage of the process from, the harvesting to the final stages of fabric manufacturing. Although environmental and health conscious consumers have traditionally favored cotton fibres over synthetic clothing, cotton is one of the most environmentally unfriendly crops grown. Although organic cotton standards have helped to decrease the impact that cotton crops have on the environment, there is still a great need for improvement. In contrast to organic cotton, hemp grows extremely fast, producing more fiber yield per acre than any other source. Hemp can produce 250% more fiber than cotton and 600% more fiber than flax using the same amount of land. The acreage needed to obtain equal yields of fiber places hemp at an advantage over other fibers. Hemp leaves the soil in excellent condition for any succeeding crop, especially when weeds may otherwise prove troublesome. Where the ground permits, hemp 's strong roots descend three feet deep or more, anchoring and protecting the soil from runoff and building and preserving topsoil and subsoil structures similar to those found in forests. Moreover, hemp does not exhaust the soil. Hemp plants shed their leaves all through the growing season, adding rich organic matter to the topsoil and helping it retain moisture. Farmers have reported excellent hemp growth on land that has been cultivated steadily for nearly 100 years. As an alternative fabric, hemp provides all the warmth and softness of a natural textile but with a superior durability seldom found in other materials. Hemp is extremely versatile and can be used for countless products such as clothing, accessories, shoes, furniture, and home furnishings. Clothing made from hemp incorporates all the beneficial qualities of an earth-friendly product and will likely last longer than clothing made of cotton and other fiber. The strong fibers make hemp clothing withstand harsh conditions, be it weather, work, or daily life . Blended with other fibers, hemp incorporates the desirable qualities of both textiles. The soft elasticity of cotton or the smooth texture of silk combined with the natural strength of hemp creates a whole new genre of fashion design. There is some controversy about the availability of certified organic hemp fabrics. To our knowledge none exist. Tthere is some question about cotton fabrics remaining “organic” after sizing and other finishing processes. Unless a third party has certified that the fabric is “organic”, the consumer is left with apromise from the manufacturer. So, in the meantime, look for the “Sustainable/Biodegradable Product™” label and restassured you are getting an environmentally safe product. Barbara Filippone of EnviroTexiles has developed this program to reassure consumers that hemp is healthy, even if it is not “organic.” |
a·ble adj. : Capable of being sustained. 
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