Ethical and eco-sustainable clothing is clothing that has been produced without the exploitation of workers in third world countries. It’s also clothing that is made from organic material, recycled material or natural materials such as cotton, linen and wool. Clothing which doesn’t use harmful chemicals in its production such as organochlorine (pesticides and insecticides) and organophosphate (herbicides, fungicides and some insecticides). It is clothing which doesn’t harm the environment in its production.
Ethical clothing has been produced under fair working conditions where workers receive a living wage, have the right to unionize and work in safe conditions.
Ethical and eco-sustainable clothing for travellers and nature lovers.
A traveler is someone who actively seeks new experiences, people and places, while enjoying nature and exploring cultures; within others words, it is about breaking away from your usual routine in life to experience something new. Today’s traveler has needs and desires that extend beyond the usual concerns of regular clothes. They want clothes that are functional, comfortable and durable, simultaneously they demand eco-sustainable and ethical practices at all levels within the clothing industry.
Many travelers wish to be clothing that is both ethical and eco-sustainable. Ethical, because it doesn’t harm humans or animals by choosing cotton , linen or hemp instead of conventional fabrics like polyester . Eco-sustainable , because they don’t want to destroy nature by using unsustainable materials by choosing organic cotton , recycling or ecological fibers .
Today’s traveler also demands to minimize their impact on nature as much as possible.
They want an aesthetic which is based on authenticity rather than artificiality.
The traveler today also wants clothes that are easy to care for, look good and can be packed into a small space. But at the same time they demand eco-sustainable and ethical practices at all levels within the clothing industry. Outfits that are durable, breathable and versatile enough for a traveler’s needs but also responsible in their origins; that can be worn in different climates, resist rain, that dry up fast and are ready to be packed away in a backpack; which emphasize the beauty of the planet while protecting it; which can form an open dialogue between places near and far by giving voice to artisans’ skills .
Problem of conventional travel clothing and how travelers can solve this by using ethical and eco-sustainable alternatives.
Conventional travel clothing is impacting on the environment and people. So you are out traveling the world, exploring sights, bathing in nature’s beauty, tasting local culture , visiting friends or just for a solo trip. You take one step forward and then it hits you – you don’t know what to take along. Clothes? Pah! They’re easy! Just throw in everything that should fit into your backpack and go.
What about the clothes and their impact on the environment and people? If you really think, it is not as easy as that.
Cotton , linen and hemp are ecological fibers that reduce the environmental impact when dyeing and processing, but in most countries they still rely on a lot of chemicals and water . Recycled cotton or organic cotton is more sustainable because it reduces the environmental footprint and pollution.
What are the environmental considerations in clothing manufacturing?
We all know that fashion is a major industry and we can see its effects in our lives: pretty much every day we see new fashions and trends. But few people take into consideration where these fashion items come from or what they are made of.
Let us set the scene for you: thousands of factory workers stand shoulder to shoulder at their sewing machines, producing more and more clothes which are often not even necessary. The fashion industry uses about 30% of global fibre production (Jemmott L, 2011), most commonly polyester and cotton (which is one of the worst materials for the environment because it requires a lot of water and pesticides to grow). Of course, there are also people who sew their own clothes. But this is very time-consuming and not possible for everybody.
As consumers we have little influence on how our clothes are being produced, but we can certainly demand more ethical and sustainable practices from clothing companies. We can also try to reduce the amount of clothing we buy, not by buying less but actually by taking better care of what we have already bought and making sure that our clothes are long lasting. For example, turning old t-shirts into something new is always inspiring.
Carrying everything you need for a two week trip in your hand luggage: that’s what we like to do when traveling. And that means carrying a lot of clothes in the limited space in our backpacks. What we wear and how we carry it is very important, especially if you want to travel light and ethical at the same time.
Factory like ProtoXtype produce ethical and eco-sustainable clothing with travellers in mind