3. Clothing
Cotton is an environmental
nightmare – more than 10% of all agricultural pesticides are used to grow
cotton, even though it makes up less than 3% of the world’s crops! These
chemicals (including dyeing and finishing processes) pollute waterways, damage
health and kill wildlife.
Cotton is a thirsty crop. And of course, clothes are
often made in terrible sweatshops for little pay. So, Fairtrade, organic and
recycled cottons and hemp are better options. High street retail stores are
beginning to introduce new ethical and organic ranges.
The companies below have been working ethically for
some years. Avoid buying clothes that need dry cleaning - very toxic substances
are used in this process. Don’t over wash your clothes, as this uses so much
water, energy and chemicals. Consider buying jewellery that is ethically made, and
ethically mined.
www.adili.com www.soilassociation.org/textiles
www.wearorganic.org
Bishopston Trading Company
193 Gloucester Rd.,Bristol BS7 8BG
T: 0117 924 5598
W: www.bishopstontrading.co.uk
Fair trade and sometimes organic clothing and bedding made
in S.India
Ethical Catwalk
3
Oulton Farm Barns, Oulton, Norbury,
Staffs.
ST20 0NL
T: 07855 756953
W: www.ethicalcatwalk,co.uk
Sell fairly-traded, organic adults and children’s clothes,
toiletries and accessories, and give talks and fashion show fundraisings.
Greenfibres
Mail
order:Freepost (foe), LON 7805,Totnes TQ9 5ZZ
T: 01803 868001 or 0845 330 3440
W: www.greenfibres.com
Eco goods and garments.
Natural Collection
Dept.
7306, Sunderland,
SR9 9XZ
T: 0870331 33 33
W: www.naturalcollection.com
Clothes, toys, household goods and cosmetics
Natura Pura
W: www.bynature.co.uk
– the first 100% organic maternity range.
People Tree
W: www.peopletree.co.uk
T: 0845 450 4595
Fair trade fashion and organic
clothes catalogue.
TRAID
W: www.traid.org.uk
Recycles and remakes textiles into new clothes, sold in
their UK
shops, to fund health and education projects abroad.
Fairtrade Shop, (see Food
section)
Fabrics Ltd.
Machynlleth.
T: 01654 702463
W: www.organiccotton.biz
Organic, fair trade cotton fabrics. Mail order.
Leather-free shoes
W: www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk
Green Shoes
69 High St.,
Totnes, Devon TQ9 5PB
T: 01803 864 997
W: www.greenshoes.co.uk
Have a vegan range, and will resole
their shoes.