Eco-Chic: Clothing, Handbags and Jewelry

Cotton is one of the most pesticide-intensive crops—it takes 1/3 lb of pesticides and fertilizers to produce enough cotton to make one t-shirt.

Nylon and polyester are made from

petrochemicals, which means they are energy intensive and not biodegradable.

Dyes in clothing can cause skin rashes,

headaches, muscle and joint pain, dizziness and difficulty breathing. They also pollute the environment.

Dry cleaning relies on a toxic solvent called

perchloroethylene that causes headaches, nausea and dizziness; it has been linked to reproductive problems in men, miscarriages, and central nervous system disorders. It is a possible carcinogen.

One gold ring generates 20 tons of mine waste. And “conflict” diamonds fund

devastating civil wars in Africa that lead to human abuses and thousands of deaths.

8 million trees are destroyed each year to make catalogues.

Ways to use your Big Green Purse:

o Buy fewer but higher quality clothes or vintage o Swap clothes or buy gently worn clothes from known retailers o Ignore “fast fashion” in favor of styles that will last o Buy clothes made from organic, low impact or recycled materials

Organic cotton Hemp Bamboo Silk Linen Wool

A few thoughts on “miracle” clothes that don’t stain, smell or wrinkle:

o Made with nanoparticles that are not yet fully understood or tested. o Nanoparticles are not able to be removed from the environment once they enter.

Chapter contains additional information on earth-friendly sportswear, shoes, handbags,

jewelry, and baby clothes, as well as links to dozens of online retailers.