We talked yesterday about the dirty side of conventional cotton, but what’s a green crafter to do?
Conventional cotton comes with quite a bit of not-so-eco baggage. It uses a lot of pesticides to grow, which is bad for workers and for the planet. It’s often genetically modified, and its social impact isn’t so hot, either. If you missed yesterday’s post, which went into these issues in a bit more detail, you can check it out here.
OK, so you’re ready to stock up on some eco-friendly alternatives, but maybe you’re not sure where to start. Don’t fret! We’ve got you covered with five alternatives that you can feel good about buying.
1. Organic cotton
If you absolutely want to keep crafting with cotton, there are lots of organic alternatives out there. By definition, organics can’t be genetically modified, and they must be grown in a way that’s not harmful to the planet. Organic cotton is better for farmers, it’s better for farm workers, and it’s healthier for you as a crafter. What a win!
Organic cotton can be pricier than its non-organic counterpart. This can be a bit of a shock, and I think it’s important to remember that we get what we pay for. You want things grown responsibly, and this is a case where I think opting for quality over quantity can make a really big difference. We’ve covered a ton of eco-friendly organic cotton options in the past, but here are a few:
Next >> Hemp
[Photo by Becky Striepe]
Would like add another company I love because of the organic cotton prints which is Monaluna. Her Scandanavian designs are so fun and original.
Hemp is not without concerns, either. It has to be shipped here from overseas, meaning it’s not doing American workers any favors, there’s all the concerns with shipping, etc.
I agree about the bad side if cotton, but for some of us going organic is just not an option financially. I believe it is ok to use cotton, but use it well – ie. sew your own clothes, make them well so they last, and when you are finished with them pass them on or recycle into something else. Buy second hand clothes – buy second hand clothes and up cycle them, you can make some great original stuff. I guess what I am saying is that if we have to use cotton, use it till its just threads and never let it hit landfill. Don’t all the ‘bad’ stuff that had to happen to make the cotton be in vain!
I totally agree that second hand clothing and fabrics are great alternatives if organic cotton is out of reach!