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Eco-friendly Clothing

Rajib Singha
With rising concern for environmental degradation and the 'gradual imbalance' of the ecosystem, eco-friendly clothing has become a welcome alternative for most people.

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Different kinds of eco-friendly apparels are designed and crafted from 'green' and sustainable resources. Products that are organic, recycled, or produced in harmony with nature, form the base of such clothing.
Apart from being gentle on the Earth, this clothing is fashionable enough for 'showing off'. This type of clothing is manufactured from natural fibers.
It is manufactured from man-made fibers, but those which have minimal negative impact on the environment. Common sources of eco-friendly fibers are organic bamboo, hemp, soy silk, and leather-alternatives.

Clothing that Does Not Impact the Environment

Organic Cotton

To make eco-friendly shirts and t-shirts, organic cotton is commonly used. This cotton does not require the use of any kind of pesticides, herbicides, or insecticides during its growth cycle. Here, the bleaching, dyeing and other manufacturing processes are carried out without the help of any chemicals.
As organic cotton is completely chemical-free, it is said to be stronger than regular cotton. The reason why garments produced using this fiber costs more is because the cotton costs more than the conventional variety.

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Bamboo Fabric

This is a natural textile produced using bamboo pulp, and is sustainable. This textile does not require chlorine for bleaching, and is not treated with any chemicals. Bamboo fabric causes no harm to the skin and can be worn directly. This organic fiber is soft and smooth with no sharp spurs to irritate the skin.
Clothing made of this material is an excellent choice for summers. This is because, bamboo fabric has got effective wicking ability. This means, it allows the skin to breathe by pulling away moisture, leaving the skin dry.
This material also prevents unpleasant odors and produces a sweet smell in the wearer's clothes. To add to this, this fabric also has insulating properties. This means that it keeps the wearer cool in summers and warm in winters.

Recycled Fleece

Fleece fabric is manufactured by recycling plastic bottles. This creates less air, water, and soil contamination. Clothes made from this fabric are both lightweight and warm.
Unlike conventional wool, even if completely wet, clothes made of fleece maintain their loft and insulating properties. This fabric does not hold water and allows easy evaporation of moisture from its fibers. As it is a vegan alternative to wool, it is preferred mostly by vegetarians and by those who are allergic to wool.
The clothing lines namely American Apparel, Levi Strauss, Jonano, Rawganique, and REI are manufactured with minimal impact on the environment. These lines are manufactured from organic cotton, bamboo, and hemp fabrics, or recycled materials. Their manufacturing process causes less harm to the environment, as they follow eco-sensitive procedures.