ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE VIDEO - Cotton - Child Labour & Human Rights Abuses
ORGANIC CLOTHING
Organic Clothing can have a texture or social label. CNN Money wrote an article in July 2006 address how some of the big industry has begun to adopt both processes. The Organic Trade Association describes organic cotton processes on their website. They also have their own fiber standard at the Organic Trade Association's Fiber Processing Standards. Organic cotton is grown to have low impact on the local environment. Systems replenish soil fertility and reduce pesticides. Third-party certification organizations can help verify that organic producers meet the criteria set by the OTA.
Other types of clothing are included such as organic wool, recycled polyester, recyclable polyester, chlorine free wool, and hemp. These types of production products can cut don on the environmental toll as well as more comfort and some feel a healthier wardrobe.
Organic Wool
Organic wool begins with organic livestock producers such as organic sheep farmers. They must provide organic feed and without use of certain antibiotics or growth hormones. The reduction of pesticides also should be handled organically. Controlled grazing should be implemented. They also reduce use of certain detergents, dyes, and other irritating substances. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic producers use the methods and materials per guidelines for organic production. The Organic Trade Association has developed guidelines for the processing of organic wool.
Organic Cotton
Organic cotton farmers use bio-based rather than traditionally chemical based systems for crops, livestock and production. Reduction of potential exposure to toxic chemicals from synthetic pesticides is one of the goals of organic cotton products. Limit waste soources to the ground, air, water and food supply. Two websites give great inisight on the organic cotton production and farming, first Organic Consumers Association and the Organic Trade Association.
Hemp Clothes
Hemp products are vast and old. They not only include hemp clothes, hemp shoes, hemp sneakers, they also include cellulose, insulation, biomass fuel, paper, shampoo and others. The Hemp Industry Association and the North Amercian Industrial Hemp Council discuss the many options besides hemp clothes that are available.
Fair Trade Clothes
Fair trade is a focus on paying worker's fair wages rather than minimum in any country, especially third world. Fair trade clothing and apparel consists of various small shops selling indigenous products. One example is NOVICA, in association with National Geographic which looks for local artist talent who can use locally grown or prepared materials to provide items for sale. Novica today serves as an online arts agent for more than 1,700 artists in countries around the world.The International Fair Trade Association provides a detailed background on the topic.
The Organic Trade Association describes growth trends in organic clothing in a July 2004 article. Patagonia has a very good description of organic cotton and organic wool from their their point of view concerning pure or good fibers when with relatable to organic.
Others take it to the level of cleaning. Planet offers several types of detergents that they feel are less taxing on the environment. Such as
