What are We Wearing?

Unpacking Toxic Textiles

1/27/2020

Unpacking Toxic Textiles shares the important takeaways from Green America's recently published end of year [2019] report. Please visit our critical reading section or click here for the 2019 Toxic Textiles Report.

This article outlines the major problem areas within mainstream manufacturing and concludes by emphasizing the importance and power in consumer awareness and activism. So, moral of the story, take a look at the score card below and consider what area(s) you're interested in learning more about! Then, start your research journey and allow it to help inform future purchases, and perhaps, let it encourage & empower you to voice your concerns to companies [you'd otherwise support] that don't seem to be taking initiative/accountability.

For example, here at Clothing Matters, we're currently working to learn more about held chemical policies/management and final product communication (i.e. what do we get to know about what went into the process)?

Covered Sections:
Water Use & Pollution
Microplastics
Air, Soil & Agriculture
Exposing Workers to Toxic Chemicals
Consumer Activism as a Solution

Click here for the full article.

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What Does Organic Wool or "Eco-Wool" Mean?

1/14/2020

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**According to the International Wool Textile Organization (IWTO), “Eco wool” must meet the standards set by the EU Eco-label, which meet:

1. the management of livestock according to organic or holistic management principles
2. the processing of raw wool, using newer, more benign processes rather than harmful scouring and descaling chemicals; and wastewater treatment from scouring and processing
3. weaving according to Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS). Read more about GOTS here.

Take a look at the links provided for a comprehensive overview of what is being done to raise sheep organically, humanely, and much more responsibly. Also take a look at the certifications implemented to enhance consumer confidence, product transparency & traceability.

1. https://oecotextiles.wordpress.com/…/what-does-organic-woo…/
2. https://www.sawaco.ch/en/news/5923/

& for those wanting to do additional research into the various certifications needed to enhance transparency and accountability, our partner has shared a few of the certifications they hold:

The company holds the following main international certifications, including RWS (Responsible Wool Standard), Ecolabel EU, Woolmark, Oeko-Tex, Global Recycled Standard for recycled polyester, Organic Content Standard (Organic Content 100 and Organic Content Blended) and is a bluesign partner, with its supply chain engaged in the certification process.

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An everyday act that helps protect our Amazon of the North- Prevent flushing our forests away...

11/5/2019

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People in the United States use an average of 28 pounds of toilet paper every year—more per capita than any other country.

The magnificent boreal TONGASS National forest is the largest remaining intact forest in the world. It covers over half of Canada and it’s home to hundreds of indigenous communities and billions of animals. The stretches of pristine forest hold and absorb massive loads of carbon from the air. Today, it's being unnecessarily cut for toilet paper and other products for which there are alternatives. Recycled, post-consumer waste toilet paper is available and the only responsible choice. If you don't see it where you shop, PLEASE ask a manager to bring it in.

The destruction of our forests is happening at a terrifying rate, unleashing huge amounts of carbon every day. One million acres of North America's boreal forest including old growth trees are clear-cut every single year.
Take a moment to watch this 3-minute video, outlining what is happening as these forests/carbon reservoirs are uprooted: https://youtu.be/QivHyejstSo

You can donate as little as $1 to help prevent pristine forests that are offsetting climate change from becoming toilet paper. Toilet paper is the number one biggest seller for Costco. If you shop at Costco, please use your voice to ask Costco to provide responsible, truly sustainable choices and STOP using wood from mature forests (which they have claimed is “sustainable").

While there’s a lot of confusing and misleading information out there, especially from tissue companies and logging industry interest groups, a lot of these arguments are as thin as the tissue they’re promoting. The takeaway is simple: The tissue industry must switch to manufacturing products that don’t flush our forests down the toilet. This current tree-to-toilet pipeline is irresponsible and archaic. With the technology and environmental understanding available to us in the 21st century, we shouldn’t be relying on intact forests for products that we use once and throw away. Let Proctor & Gamble (makers of Charmin and other "luxury" brands) know you want them to stop sacrificing forests for their toilet paper; sign petition to Procter & Gamble CEO David Taylor at nrdc.org

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Proud Sponsors of Western Michigan University students' Beach Clean Up!

7/3/2018

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Clothing Matters is concerned about PLASTIC... from micro-fibers of polyester clothing now in our food chain and polluting our Great Lakes ecosystems, to the unprecedented amount of plastic waste that you can see on beaches everywhere.

We proudly partnered with Western Michigan University MBA students on an IMPACT Project Beach Clean-Up and fundraiser at Holland State Park June 24, to support Alliance for the Great Lakes. Students wanted sustainable T-shirts that prevent pollution. They chose a deliciously comfortable, 100% organic cotton shirt and created an encapsulating design for the front. On the back, they chose to print this information about their sustainable choice:

This organic cotton shirt offsets polyester's effects as a primary source of micro-plastic pollution in our Great Lakes & prevents 1/3 lb of insecticide from polluting 700 gallons of water to grow 1 non-organic cotton t-shirt!

The need for us all to understand and take actions that help prevent the myriad of ways in which the plastic you use impacts personal & ecological well-being is paramount.

PLEASE do your share:

~Before you get to the beach (or anywhere else), find ways to avoid Single Use Plastic (SUP) so you aren't part of this

~While at the beach, address the issue of plastic and rally others to join you in picking up as much of it as you can--a pocketful of tiny pieces will prevent them from being mistaken by fish for food.

~Manage and take ALL of your trash with you--even tiny pieces--and encourage others to do the same.

~Before you buy plastic, petroleum-based clothing (polyester/acrylic/nylon/acetate), consider the 1000s of unregulated chemicals used to make apparel, many of which are persistent and hormone-disrupting, absorbable through the skin into bloodstreams and attached to tiny pieces that shed and contribute to what is now a significant source of micro-plastic pollution in our Great Lakes, rivers, oceans and drinking water.

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Study: Your Great Lakes microbrews might come with a hint of microplastic

7/3/2018

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We're proud to provide sustainable apparel & accessories to our LogoWear partners who choose to prevent pollution with the clean comfort of high quality organic cotton and hemp for their brand.
View options~

We invite your team to take a leadership role in helping reduce micro-plastic fiber pollution in our Great Lakes Basin & beyond.

A recently released study out of Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis shares the latest evidence regarding micro-plastic pollution in our Great Lakes. Professor Mary Kosuth, conducted the study, a calling to take actions that reduce the amount of plastic we create & consume.

Polyester and other petroleum-based fabrics (i.e. acrylic, nylon, acetate) are significant sources of micro-fiber pollution in our Great Lakes, rivers & oceans. Clothes release half a million tons of microfibers in the ocean every year, equivalent to more than 50 billion plastic bottles.

Conclusions from the original study:
"This investigation reveals troubling amounts of anthropogenic (from human activity) debris in global tap water, North American beer, and internationally sourced sea salt. Particles were found in 81% of tap water samples, as well as in all 12 brands of beer and sea salt. These findings add to a growing body of knowledge about plastic pollution in human consumables" (Kosuth, 2018).

Michigan Radio recently shares,
"We found in marine environments, at least, these plastic particles are very good at absorbing chemicals from the water," Kosuth said. "So things like PCB, DDT, brominated flame retardents, things like these can actually form a coating on the outside of the plastic particles, which means that we would be ingesting higher amounts of that” (NPR, Michigan Radio).

Listen to the discussion:

http://michiganradio.org/post/study-your-great-lakes-microbrews-might-come-hint-microplastic

For Kosuth's Study:

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0194970

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Fashion Journalist from Grand Rapids Magazine Interviews & Experiences Clothing Matters' Eco-Collection

6/9/2018

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Thank you for the time and effort you put into this piece, Missy!

Ms. Black writes, "A visit to the store is an opportunity to look and feel fashionable in pieces made with practices that respect the earth. Surprisingly soft hemp/organic cotton blends are a favorite of many over the years. Its breathability and softness provide a luxurious feel at affordable prices while reducing the harmful impacts of chemicals in conventional apparel."

Access the full article:
Eco Fashion: It Looks Good On You

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Clothing Matters Partners with Clean Water Action

6/2/2018

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We're proud to partner with Clean Water Action, in sponsorship of Water is Life, to celebrate leadership in protecting water quality of our Great Lakes!

How much do you love our Lakes?

#CleanWaterAction #WaterisLife
#OurGreatLakes

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Clothing Matters & The Mitten Brewing Co. Produce Another Sweet Sustainable Shirt

5/4/2018

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We've proudly partnered to produce another sweet sustainable shirt for The Mitten Brewing Company (#michiganbeer #michiganwater #GrandRapids #Grmi #WestMI #GR #michiganbrewing #craftbeer #localbrews #mittenlove #mibeer) Leading West Michigan breweries to offset the significant carbon footprint that apparel choices have on our environment, this brewery sets an example for others who care to demonstrate stewardship of the place(s) we love and call home.

Speaking of sustainability? What are you wearing- and putting your logo on?

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Clothing Matters' Presence in Inspired Life GR

4/3/2018

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Inspired Life GR is a platform to INSPIRE the people of West Michigan to optimize their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual lives. Clothing Matters has been a sponsor since this event’s debut 3 years ago, partnering with founders to gather a group of leading health and wellness practitioners in the Grand Rapids committed to healing, holistic health care and functional medicine that helps positively transforms their lives. We set up a pop-up shop and had fun with lots of “eco models” curious to learn more about how apparel choices impact health. Thanks to the founders of Inspired Life for choosing organic cotton totes to celebrate the event and all who participated! If you value health & well-being, consider organic cotton totes to share your organization’s mission with the world. We’ll be glad to give you a quote!

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GVSU Student Environmental Coalition chooses sustainable t-shirts & natural tie-dye for uniquely brilliant member t-shirts!

3/29/2018

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Members of GVSU Student Environmental Coalition Club chose 100% organic cotton tees for their logo, and used natural dyes to add brilliance to their eco-conscious creations. Their project perfectly encapsulates the SEC’s mission dedicated to environmental activism and spreading awareness of sustainability issues. “We hope that our fellow students may learn to conserve natural resources and care more about their local environment."

"We boiled the vegetables to make the dyes and used recycled water bottles to dye the shirts! We chose sustainable alternatives in place of traditional artificial dyes. By making our own dyes from natural ingredients (including coffee, avocado pits, beets, blueberries, and turmeric), and choosing organic cotton t-shirts, we reduced the amount of resources used. We can also dispose of everything in an environmentally friendly manner--Everything was composted or recycled after the event. We're making the statement that clothing doesn’t have to harm the environment. It doesn’t have to be a huge sink of resources, and source of pollution. We had a great turn out and a lot of fun; I can’t wait to see how they turn out with the club logos as well!"

-Kyle Hart, co-president of the Student Environmental Coalition Club, Grand Valley State University

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<<Previous

Unpacking Toxic Textiles

What Does Organic Wool or "Eco-Wool" Mean?

An everyday act that helps protect our Amazon of the North- Prevent flushing our forests away...

Proud Sponsors of Western Michigan University students' Beach Clean Up!

Study: Your Great Lakes microbrews might come with a hint of microplastic

Listen to the discussion:

For Kosuth's Study:

Fashion Journalist from Grand Rapids Magazine Interviews & Experiences Clothing Matters' Eco-Collection

Clothing Matters Partners with Clean Water Action

Clothing Matters & The Mitten Brewing Co. Produce Another Sweet Sustainable Shirt

Clothing Matters' Presence in Inspired Life GR

GVSU Student Environmental Coalition chooses sustainable t-shirts & natural tie-dye for uniquely brilliant member t-shirts!

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