Going green with your clothes? That might mean getting pesticides and fertilizers out of them.
You’re probably not the only one who likes that idea! Walk into almost any grocery store and you’ll see so-called green cleaning products right next to the traditional ones. Take Tide Cold Water detergent, for example. Procter & Gamble claims it deep-cleans clothes in cold water. That saves energy and cuts your bill at the same time. But just how green is Tide, really?
Likewise, car buyers see plenty of environmentally friendly models on the lot. Energy-efficient appliances sit front and center in stores. Meanwhile, clothing is getting its own green revolution.
If you want to support eco-enhancing garments, look for Fairtrade certification.
It’s Fairtrade Fortnight, after all! So what do you do when you want to help the environment and society—and still stay stylish?
I thought a lot about that during a project I did years ago with a sponsor called A Lot To Say. Back then, I promoted recycled plastic apparel at Sundance Film Festival. I spent days showcasing a clothing line made from 100% recycled plastic collected at real waste sites in India.
It wasn’t just a gimmick. It had real potential to transform the clothing industry. We talked about these ideas way back in 2010. Yet now—especially with plastic clogging our oceans—we really need to keep talking.
Let’s not forget our oceans. They bear the brunt of our clothing waste and plastic pollution. Every year, millions of tons of plastic enter the seas, breaking down into microplastics that harm marine life and end up in our food chain. By choosing recycled materials and reducing waste, we can help keep plastic out of the water, protect ecosystems, and ensure healthier oceans for future generations.
So here are three things that worked well for me when I wore eco-friendly shirts.
First, they sparked conversation. Once my son wore one to school. He ended up explaining to a friend why wearing recycled plastic is actually better. I told him: it keeps plastic out of landfills, and avoids harmful chemicals in the fibers against your skin. I loved teaching that. I also learned about the brand’s care in reducing its carbon footprint.
Second, I got great reactions from strangers. When I went to Starbucks, people loved my Fuel shirt. They complimented its look. When I explained it was 100% recycled plastic, that really got them thinking.
Third, understanding the eco-metrics behind it helped me explain it better to others—and to myself. We need to educate people about emissions, water use, and other impacts. Making those “eco-metrics” clear is catchy and useful.
Moreover, by using AIRDYE® technology, these shirts saved massive resources. They cut 1,132,500 megajoules of energy, saved 157,500 gallons of water, and prevented 57,500 kilograms of CO₂-equivalent emissions. That data came from a full Life Cycle Assessment, verified through third-party review. You can even find more at airdye.com.
But green clothing isn’t just about recycled plastic.
It also includes materials like corn or bamboo. Bamboo, for instance, grows incredibly fast without fertilizers or pesticides. Clothes made from bamboo are durable, soft, biodegradable, and even antibacterial.
Let’s be honest: fashion is fickle. Those DayGlo shirts or Hammer pants you loved once? They’re long gone from your closet. But the clothes themselves stick around. Americans toss about 68 pounds of textiles per person every year.
That’s a huge problem. Conventional cotton farming alone relies heavily on pesticides and fertilizers. In fact, that classic combo of a cotton T-shirt and jeans requires about a pound of them.
The fashion industry is finally waking up to its impact. Consumers want more sustainable options. So designers and boutiques are stepping up with eco-conscious styles that are hip, not hippy. Even big brands like H&M, Urban Outfitters, and Uniqlo are joining in. They’re offering materials that reduce waste and pollution.
Reuse and recycle? Absolutely.
Some designers make purses from candy wrappers or new clothes from discarded fabrics. According to the Council for Textile Recycling, this keeps 2.5 billion pounds of textile waste out of landfills every year and that even includes trash from India.
Buying organic is another solid option.
Organic cotton skips the fertilizers and pesticides entirely. Right now, it’s less than 1% of global production. But demand is growing fast. Stores like H&M already have organic cotton lines.
In short, you have choices.
If you want to stay fashionable and go green, pick clothes made with fewer chemicals, recycled materials, and creative reuse. The planet—and your closet—will thank you.
March 12, 2007, By JACKY MYINT Source: The Associated Press.
