One of the best things about buying t shirts is how fun it is. Here are a few of our favourite eco-tees on the site. Clockwise we have: California Rising’s Mind Over Matter, Topo Ranch’s W’s Spray and Saddle Up tees, Andira’s Rainforest Tee and PartyBot’s Little Timmy Tee.
T-shirts haven’t always been the pinnacle of fashion that they are today. They were first made ‘cool’ back in the 1950′s when actors such as Marlon Brando and James Dean started wearing them as regular clothes, a layer or two above their traditional position as underwear. Suddenly, they became a symbol of sex, irreverence and rebellion. Ever since, tees have been a popular means of conveying a personal message, whether political, humorous or downright cool.
And the potential for that message to have a worldwide audience shouldn’t be overlooked. Take, for example, the infamous ‘Che Guevara’ t shirt. The official store reportedly sells a couple of million tees per year, and that’s 40 years after Che’s execution; you can almost guarantee seeing a few if you take a walk in the park on a sunny afternoon.
Today, in a ever more eco-conscious world, t shirts present a wonderful way for us to spread the eco love. With so many beautiful, inspiring and creative designs available for the green thinker, there really is no excuse not to get out there and wear your message for all to see.
What to look out for in an eco-tee:
Materials:
The first step is to always buy t shirts made from organic cotton. Insisting on organic is one of the most powerful statements you can make and here’s why:
According to the Organic Trade Association, organic cotton production increased by 152% in the 2007 to 2008 crop year. The main reason for that massive growth? Consumer demand:
“According to the report, the production increase was driven in large part by the heightened demand for organic cotton from small- to large-sized retailers around the world.”
As I mentioned in my last post about organic pajamas, it’s really important to wear 100% organic next to your skin. Watch out for brands that try and charm you with a simple ’100% cotton’ pitch. Even though regular old cotton sounds clean and healthy, if it’s not 100% organic it’s probably made up of loads of different chemicals and substances.
An added bonus is a company that things about the other materials in its t shirts. For example, PartyPots go the extra mile by using a natural water-based alternative for their adhesive and are responsible for some of the most environmentally friendly screen-printing solvents in the world.
Environmental Footprint:
Buying an environmentally friendly product is all about buying something with a low impact. The two main ways to achieve this with a t shirt are to: i) purchase products made of sustainably sourced core materials (ie. cotton) and to ii) buy as locally as possible.
i) The term ‘organic cotton’ means more than a lack of pesticides in the finished product, it also implies that the cotton was grown in as low-impact way as possible using, for example, sustainable water supplies. So, again, that ’100% organic cotton’ label is a must.
ii) A huge part of reducing the carbon footprint of a product lies in sourcing it as locally as possible. “In 2006, organic fiber linens and clothing sales in the United States grew by 26 percent over the previous year, to reach $203 million” (OTA). That’s the power of the consumer- demand US grown organic cotton and the retailers will deliver! Ideally, you don’t want your t shirt to ever leave these shores on its journey from tiny cotton seed to fully fledged tee.
Fair Trade:
Wherever your t shirt comes from, make sure it’s fair. A lot of eco-companies have close links with their suppliers and this is usually a really positive signal for fair trade. It’s often hard to find out whether you’re buying fair trade produce but if you do your homework there’s a much smaller chance that your money will go towards a company that takes advantage of its workers.
Bonus:
It sounds obvious, but buy quality t shirts. They’ll look good for longer and you’ll be less tempted to buy an unsustainable amount of clothes!
