[ *GOING GREEN* ]

Every year we find more and more of our customers are looking for eco-friendly apparel products. It’s a trend we hope never goes out of style. We here at Sapphire believe very much in keeping the Earth clean, and reducing our carbon footprint, as well as yours. We strive to use the most sustainable products as well as environmentally friendly inks. So many people are confused about options they have when it comes to staying Green while trying to output a great product. So I thought I would talk a little bit about the options that are out there today so you can have a better understanding of how you can help.

Cotton is one of the most intensely sprayed crops in the world, and cotton pesticides are the greatest crop contributor to volatile organic compounds in the environment. Cotton requires wide spacing to grow, allowing bare soil to oxidize in the sun, releasing carbon into the atmosphere, allowing rain to wash soil and chemicals into stream, and decreasing soil fertility. we offer organic and environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional cotton such as hemp and bamboo. Hemp is known as a viable clothing fiber due to its durability, versatility, sustainable growing abilities, and long fibers. Organic cotton is grown with safe, nontoxic, non-chemical pest repellants such as manure and herbs, protects the ground, our food, and all animals — including humans. Additionally, organic cotton is pure and has not been genetically altered or modified. These materials can be used for apparel, to totes, to hats.

There are all sorts of ways that apparel is described as being GREEN. Look for these key terms when shopping for "friendly" materials.

ORGANIC: This is the most common term used when GOING GREEN, but what does it actually mean? Organic refers to the way agricultural products—food and fiber—are grown and processed. Organic food production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. Organic foods are minimally processed without artificial ingredients, preservatives, or irradiation to maintain the integrity of the food. Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. No toxins or synthetic fertilizers are used. Organic cotton is produced without the use of harsh chemical bleaches or dyes, and is allergy free.

RECYLCED COTTON : This is another more earth-friendly choice in cotton clothing. Recycled cotton is cotton fabric which has been made from recovered cotton that would otherwise be cast off during the spinning, weaving or cutting process. A trade name for recycled cotton is Eco Fibre; there are no harsh chemicals used in the processing of this fabric.

BAMBOO: For starters, Bamboo takes in five times the volume of greenhouse gasses as an equivalent stand of timber trees and releases 35% more oxygen. It needs no replanting, pesticides or fertilizers, and its roots retain water in the watershed, sustaining riverbanks and reducing water pollution. bamboo fabrics can look and drape like silk, but are more practical because you can machine wash them on the gentle cycle and dry them in the drier or on the clothesline. They somewhat resist wrinkling without the addition of resin finishes added to some polyester/cotton blend fabrics to give them that qualities. The soft, smooth texture is exceptional for the comfort of all who wear it.

HEMP: Hemp grows extremely fast and can be grown in any climate, in any agronomic system. Hemp can be grown with no (or little) herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, or other biocides. Hemp is a natural weed suppressor due to the fast growth of the canopy. Actually, hemp is a weed. Because it grows so fast and densely, it blocks out sunlight to other weeds that are trying to grow. Due to it’s long roots, hemp replenishes soil with nutrients and nitrogen and helps control erosion of topsoil. Also, once harvested, any residue can act as an eco-friendly manure. Hemp produces the same amount of oxygen while it’s growing that it would use in carbon dioxide if burned as a fuel. Also, due to it’s leaf/root ratio (this can often be 10% roots vs 30% leaves), hemp can produce between 20% - 40% more oxygen than will be polluted. Naturally, products made from hemp are 100% biodegradable, recyclable, and reusable. Also, the speed at which hemp grows can provide benefits regarding the resource requirements of the end product.Clothing and textiles made from hemp have no residual chemicals that could affect our health.

I hope you find this information beneficial! Please let us know we can help you obtain any of these items for your apparel needs. Look out for our upcoming blog about our environmentally friendly inks. Make it a GREEN day.