Fix It, Don't Trash It

Today we live in a throw-away society. Buy new and throw away the old is the mentality of many Americans. Why don't we just learn to fix what we have? What about upcycling or recycling? Think about how many items we throw away each year. What else could we do with them?

My blog focuses on resources for eco-friendly clothing, but that doesn't mean that I want to spread the message of consumerism. I understand that sometimes we cannot find something used, would like a new item, or need gifts for others. I want my readers to understand that my blog is about sustainability in the fashion industry, which also means reduce/reuse/recycle.

I fix or upcycle my families clothing whenever possible. I patch the knees on my kid's pants if they are in otherwise good condition. I mend holes in socks and wool thermals and fix rips in my husband's shirts. I take apart one garment and make another.

 

One problem that we face today is that many do not know how to sew, mend, or darn clothing. I am lucky enough that I do know how to sew, and can fix much of our clothing. I tend to lean towards a sustainable lifestyle, using less and enjoying the fruits of my labor. I love the thought of sitting by the fire on a chilly evening hand stitching clothing or knitting a new scarf. For those of you out there that long for a more sustainable lifestyle; take a sewing class, look at creative blogs on how to fix things, look to the older members of your family that may know how to teach you how to do things yourself. If you really aren't interested or don't have the time, enlist a seamstress or family member to have items fixed for you.

When I do have an item that is to worn or damaged to fix, I make cleaning rags, save the scraps and buttons for other projects, or give the good fabric parts to my daughter to sew with. (She is very imaginative!) We are thinking of making a prayer flag with our fabric scraps. See what you can do, and if you need inspiration, I recommend Google or Pinterest!

Spotlight on Gaiam

Gaiam has been one of my favorite sustainable clothing resources. Since I lead an active lifestyle, I love style mixed with comfort. Their clothing allows me to go from studio to street with just adding a flowing top or wrap. Among other items, I have a lovely asymmetrical skirt from Gaiam that has been in my wardrobe for years, and it is still one of my favorites. I just love the way it flows when I walk, and the soft fabric feels so sensual!

Gaiam is a lifestyle company, which offers casual and yoga/athletic clothing basics for women and men; as well as home goods, wellness products, fitness equipment, and videos. Gaiam even puts outfits together for you, on their "Must Have Looks" page. Below is their Organic Flow Wrap + Organic Flow Capri + Pima Flow Tank + Yoga Wrap Flat. You can purchase the whole outfit on one page - Can you say convenient?!

Photo courtesy of Gaiam

About Gaiam Life:

"Our name GAIAM was created as a fusion of the words Gaia — the name for Mother Earth in the Minoan civilization in ancient Crete — and “I am.” It symbolizes the interconnection of the Earth and all the life it sustains.

Gaiam (pronounced "guy-um") was founded on the concept of making decisions based on personal values that consider all aspects of our lives, as well as our impact on others and the planet, today and in the future. This concept is already shared by over 50 million people in the United States alone — and we believe that it is not just a trend, but a major cultural shift.

We see signs everywhere in today's life experience of how conscious lifestyle values — including social and environmental responsibility, health and wellness, and personal development — are driving more consumer purchase decisions and pervading an ever-wider range of venues, from mass-market grocery stores to online communities. We believe that a growing number of people have a desire for media and products that inspire them to expand their awareness and pursue positive change in their lives."

Please visit Gaiam on their website, or connect via their blog, Gaiam Life, Gaiam TV, or facebook page.

Eco Friendly Business Spotlight - Thirsties, Inc.

I would like to give a shout out to one of my favorite eco-friendly companies, Thirsties, Inc.. Thirsties is not a clothing company, but a cloth diaper manufacturer. Get this - they are manufactured right here in the USA, and most of the materials are sourced in the USA as well.

Cloth diapers are sustainable and eco-friendly, and the number of stylish choices for cloth diapers these days allow them to actually be an accessory to an outfit. Some may think that cloth diapers should not be seen, but have you seen the choices? Those super cute diaper covers make you want to forget the pants! Don't believe me? Check out the stylish choices available on the Thirsties website.

Photos courtesy of Thirsties, Inc.

There are many different choices for cloth diapers in the market these days, but Thirsties is one of my favorites for many reasons. My good friend Erin Kimmett started Thirsties some years ago, with $100, a sewing machine, and a kitchen table. (I just love these stories about how people start their businesses in a garage, or in their kitchen! Oh, she sold the business, and started Eco Enclose with her husband Dave! Wonderful people, doing great things for the earth.) Anyway, she built her company into one of the most popular cloth diaper brands in the world! Her quest for creating sustainable cloth diapers was an inspiration. The Merrill family who now owns the company is continuing to do so, going as far as to recycle the fabric scraps in the warehouse. I worked for the company for 5 years, and am impressed at the level of honesty, consideration, and sustainability the company upholds. Below is how Thirsties helps to decrease their footprint:

• Their warehouse is 100% powered by wind energy.
• All carbon created in the transport of Thirsties products is 100% offset by Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
• All fabric and components are sourced as locally as possible, thereby cutting down on unnecessary transportation (not from China).
• All cutting and sewing is completed locally as well so as to keep transport fuel consumption to a minimum (not from China).
• Retail product packaging is produced in the USA with wind energy from FSC-certified paperboard.
• Reduce, reuse and recycle! Packaging materials are reused and recycled. Any new packaging is made from the highest post-consumer content available. Our new EcoEnclose Poly Mailers are 100% biodegradable and break down even in landfills!
• All in-house printing is done on recycled paper with 100% post-consumer content. Thirsties hang tags are printed in the USA on paper made with 35% post-consumer content.
• We choose fabrics and design diapers that dry quickly and remain soft even when hung to dry to encourage our customers to retire their dryers.
• We are proud to be a member of the Green America Green Business Network™, the oldest, largest, and most diverse network of socially and environmentally responsible businesses in the US.
• The catalog is printed on FSC Certified 55/30% post-consumer content with soy inks which are VOC free.
• All products are packed in boxes that are made of 100% recycled content
• 100%of our scrap fabric is recycled and re-purposed for insulation and other uses.

I have wrestled with the fact that many cloth diapers are made from polyester/PUL, and other man-made materials. (I tend to be a purist and like all things natural and organic.) Thirsties does not offer any organic options at the moment, but hopefully someday that can change. They do offer a Duo Hemp Prefold, which is a wonderfully soft and absorbent cotton and hemp fiber diaper. The company works very hard at being sustainable, and if they offered organics that would just top the cake! There are pure and natural diapering options out there for those who only want natural materials. Wool covers and organic cotton diapers are available, which are as pure as you can get. As always, pay attention to the sustainability of the company and if imported, whether the products are Fair Trade. You can find ratings for cloth diapering products on www.diaperpin.com.

Need some facts on cloth diapers and the environment?

"Sixty times more solid waste and twenty times more raw materials, like crude oil and wood pulp, are used in the manufacturing of disposable diapers. In fact, 25 million trees are consumed and manufactured into baby diapers each year! As the third largest contributor to our landfills, all the toss-away diapers of today will still remain intact 500 years from now." Many people do not think about that, or choose to ignore it. Imagine, how many diapers are in the landfills right now!

I used cloth diapers for my 3 children, and I would do it all over again. The #1 worry that parents experience when contemplating cloth diapers is how to wash the diapers. Don't worry, the manufacturer or boutique employees can help with any questions you have, and Thirsties' Customer Service is one of the best in the business! They also have articles on the blog for help with cloth diapering (I used to write them!) They are with you every step of the way. Yes, it is more work to wash the cloth diapers, but if you are using a well fitted and absorbent cloth diaper, you can avoid many leaks that can be experienced with disposable diapers.

The benefits of using cloth diapers are numerous, and look "Oh so cute" on the bum!