6 Reasons You Should Make the Switch to Organic Clothing

Photo credit: Pixabay

Written by: Tess DiNapoli

We have come to an understanding that we need to do a better job at reducing our carbon footprint and taking care of the planet. One of the areas where we can start making changes is opting for organic clothes. Although it is not what first comes to mind when we think about ecological threats, the fashion industry makes up to 10% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. It dries up our already limited water resources, and pollutes our air, soil, rivers, and streams. According to the UNECE, 85% of all textiles go to the dump every year!

Trying to be good citizens of the world, we compiled six reasons why organic clothes should be a part of your shopping experience.

1. Protect Yourself

Organic clothes refer to clothes made with organic fabrics, such as organic cotton, silk, wool, and more. It simply means that no chemicals or pesticides were used to grow these materials. Using organic clothes protects your skin, the largest organ of your body, from absorbing the chemicals usually found in conventional clothes. This is especially important if you have sensitive skin. Moreover, non-organic textiles can weaken your immune system, and sometimes even cause irritation.

2. Sustainable Brands Are Available

It might have been challenging to go “organic” a few decades ago, but the collective awareness regarding the textile industry’s ecological harm has increased drastically in the last decade. This awareness has forced multiple brands to improve their sustainability practices. You have a palette of choices now, more than what you could have ever imagined. Brands such as Fundamental Coast that use water bottles & pulverized oyster shells to produce high-quality and modern textiles. No one said you can’t look stunning while doing your part to save the planet.

3. Organic Lifecycle

Did you know that 87% of non-organic fabrics used for clothing are either incinerated or dumped in a landfill? No wonder we are living in these critical times.  Companies, as well as consumers, go through styles and designs at a fanatic rate. On the other hand, organic clothes can biodegrade naturally back into our earth. Thus, you can be reassured that by making this switch, you would be actively contributing to the prevention of further pollution.

4. Protect Other Inhabitants of The Motherland

Our planet’s fauna and flora are jeopardized because of pollution. As mentioned previously, the farming of conventional clothing materials pollutes our soil. Precious natural habitats of our plants and trees can become endangered. Moreover, marine life also suffers from our bad habits as reckless consumers.

Non-organic or synthetic fabrics are simply petroleum-based materials that consist of micro-fabrics and microplastics. When we wash our clothes or they get “dumped” into a water stream, all those materials find their way to the bottom of the ocean. By purchasing natural organic clothes, you can help keep these microplastics away from the trash and out of our environment.

5. Safety and Job Opportunities

The more we buy organic clothes, the more brands will be inclined to produce them. Simple supply and demand reigns supreme, so we need to do our part to choose to do the right thing. This small “switch” to organic materials can help introduce safer working conditions for farmers and their families around the globe, especially in developing countries. They will no longer have to deal with plastics and chemicals in day-to-day life.

6. It Saves Energy, Money and Resources

Unlike its organic counterpart, conventional clothing requires significant amounts of financial and energetic resources. Usually, the production of synthetic fabrics requires fossil fuels, tons of water, harsh chemicals, and other harmful elements. This results in more carbon dioxide emissions, a high consumption of water, and the pollution of air, soil, and water. Opting to commit to organic clothes can improve our planet’s “health”.

It might be difficult to make a complete transition overnight, but you can start small and work your way into purchasing and wearing clothes that are made to last. If you don’t know where to start on your new clothing journey, seek out counsel from professional stylists or programs that can cater to your fashion sense, lifestyle, and body type. We owe it to future generations to take care of our blue planet and become responsible fashionistas that sport a responsible wardrobe.

Additionally, this transition from synthetic to organic will certainly provide new job opportunities for farmers as the demand for organic fabrics grows. Your small actions can help save the life of hardworking textile makers and farmers.

Be the Change

Everyone is now responsible for taking the actions and steps needed to ensure our planet’s safety. Everyone must contribute to humanity’s effort to protect our world from further harm.  Every single person can make a change to switch to organic clothing. Regardless of how small and insignificant it might seem, it will certainly have a positive impact on our future and coming generations.

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Tess DiNapoli is an artist, writer, and copy strategist who works with companies like Fundamental Coast. She has a passion for yoga and often writes about health, wellness and travel, but also enjoys covering the fashion industry and getting insight on the latest trends.