Eco-Friendly Clothing: Support Companies that Care

You've gone vegetarian or even vegan, or maybe just cut out eating meat once a week for Meatless Mondays. You feel great. You’re glowing, sharing recipes with friends, maybe even losing some extra weight.

What’s the next step in treading lightly and consciously on the earth? Clothing choices. Buying clothes at a Goodwill or Salvation Army store, swapping clothes with friends and repairing the clothes you already have would be the most eco-friendly choice.

But if you enjoy having a brand new piece of clothing in your closet, there are many fabulous companies out there committed to helping people and the planet. They use sustainable manufacturing processes like certified fair trade labor and going USA and/or locally made. They use organic, recycled fibers and low impact dyes. Many have greened up the entire process of creating the clothing, from using less water, to powering the factory with sustainable energy.

Here are some companies to choose from:
fairindigo.com

gaiam.com

gramicci.com

hannaandersson.com

bamboosa.com

purecitizen.com

maggiesorganics.com

etsy.com - There are quite a few etsy shops that use organic cotton, hemp and bamboo to make clothes.

globalgirlfriend.com/store/ggf/site

ecolissa.com

There are many other companies aware of their impact, and care about the future of the planet and its people.

Feel free to contribute an eco-aware clothing company that you support or know of in the comments. If the website of your favorite clothing company does not have the eco- information you are looking, email them and ask: "Where are your clothes made? Have you been to clothing factories and seen the working conditions? What is your company doing to become more green, eco friendly and sustainable?"

Many companies are open to suggestions from customers, and your one seemingly small suggestion or question could be the spark that ignites changes for the better.

Every time you shop you vote and support the processes that brought the product to life. Make an informed, conscious choice that is the healthiest choice for the planet and its people.

Jessica loves nature, fitness and cooking. She loves to learn and share new information on all things sustainable. She believes in following the “4 Rs” of sustainable living: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. She also believes in the power of play and having fun outside more often, so get out and play!