GET THE FACTS

The High Price of Fashion
As part of its "behind-the-scenes guide to the things we buy," the Worldwatch Institute offers fast facts about clothing production, green alternatives, and actions consumers can take.

Worldwise WiseGuide: Textiles
Consumer advocate Debra Lynn Dadd identifies the good, the bad, and the toxic in clothing and other fabric products.

GreenChoices: Clothes
This British site offers an overview of the environmental impacts associated with materials commonly used in clothing, from wool to PVC.

How "Green" Is Your Gear?
A hiker’s guide to the environmental impact of nylon camping gear.

OPT FOR ORGANIC

The Organic Pages Online
Consumers can search for organic retailers in the "fiber and textiles" section of the Organic Trade Association’s Web-based product directory.

The Sustainable Cotton Project
Information for farmers, manufacturers, and consumers who want to make organic cotton a viable agricultural and economic alternative.

Beneficial T’s
Patagonia’s 100 percent organic cotton T-shirts are available at wholesale prices to companies, both large and small, that are looking to go green.

SAY NO TO SWEATSHOPS

Co-op America/UNITE
Anti-sweatshop campaigns from Co-op America, a network of consumer activists and responsible businesses, and the Union of Needletrades, Industrial, and Textile Employees (UNITE) provide information on clothes made without exploiting workers.

HANDLE WITH CARE

Energy Savers: Laundry Tips
It’s not just what you wear, but how you wash it, that counts. The U.S. Department of Energy offers tips on saving energy and water while doing the laundry.

"The Hidden Life of Laundry" (September/October 2002)
Sierra’s guide to finding the best detergents and bleaches, and learning to wash and dry with minimal environmental impact.

"Greener Cleaners" (September/October 1998)
Sierra looks at the hidden hazard of dry cleaning--the toxic solvent perchloroethylene (or "perc") — and a healthier alternative.

Research assistance by Amanda Hawn.

Up to Top | The Hidden Life of Clothing