Tips For Eco Friendly Clothing

By Sok K Verdery

Within the ever-changing world we live in the current purchasing trend seems to tell consumers to "go green," even though half of us do not fully comprehend exactly what that means. Sure, it would be fantastic to buy products and services similar to what we already use while protecting the environment at the same time, but with all the gimmicks and sales out there how can a consumer know exactly what is legitimate and what is a scam?

For example, I recently read an article that said green clothing is now the latest fashion; but even the author himself did not seem to know what that meant while he threw around bold statements and predictions. This article will focus on green clothing and exactly what the media does not want you to know.

To start ... is there such a thing as "green clothing?" The short answer is yes, because industry has made it possible in recent years to recycle almost anything. Tires are being made into shoes (which ironically cost more than the tires did when new), tee shirts are made from all kinds of recycled materials, and jeans are constructed from threads that are more renewable within our environments.

With that said, the same process that pumps toxic chemicals into our atmosphere is used to recycle many of these materials, so it may more likely be a scenario of killing a forest to save a neighboring tree. While this is not true in all cases, I only mention it to be fair to all parties and help consumers stay informed.

Now that the definition is partially out of the way, how does one determine if a piece of clothing is green? The answer comes from observing the clothing labels that you see within department stores and outlets; two key phrases you are looking for are "made from 100% recycled material" and "made from sustainable resources." What these mean is that either the clothing was made from something from the past or it is created from sources that regenerate faster than it is harvested. By using these processes the strain on natural resources are reduced and it allows our world to recover from the damage we have already caused by aggressive consumption.

So what about the clothing you already have? Well, the resources for those have already been collected, produced in a factory likely dangerous to the environment, and shipped overseas for another drastic waste in natural fossil fuels. No matter what damage may have been created by your former purchases, they are certainly not causing any harm to the environment in their current condition and they should be worn as long as possible. Their usable lives can be extended by washing them less frequently or with gentle cycles, and future purchases should also be made with durability in mind.

By wearing clothing that will last longer or searching for brands made with recycled or renewable materials, you are effectively doing your part in joining the green revolution and protecting the environment. Not to the extent that others would have you believe, mind you, but a difference nonetheless.

Tip: For more eco friendly savings, see the Go Green Coupons from CouponShack.com.

Sok has been helping every day people save money since 2001. It began as a objective to learn how to save money with coupons for online purchases every now and then but has since evolved to a lifestyle. Now Sok spends his time, both online and offline, not only looking for coupons but also how to go beyond just coupons to get extreme savings on every day items. "Don't under-estimate the value of a coupon"

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