by Phil Chandler

Created on: January 01, 2007   Last Updated: February 01, 2012

A switch to an organic mattress and organic bedding will instantly reduce your exposure by about one third or whatever proportion of the day you spend in bed. One of the most common fire retardants used on mattresses boric acid is also used to kill rats!

Support organic farming

By choosing organic textiles, you divert your disposable income towards supporting organic agriculture, which will encourage more farmers to employ environmentally friendly farming methods.

Support ethical and safe working practices

Farmers working on organic farms are exposed to fewer chemicals. Each year, an estimated 60 million pounds of organophosphate pesticides are applied to U.S. agricultural crops and an additional 17 million pounds are used per year for non-agricultural uses, such as in household pest control products and lawn and garden sprays.

Support the use of natural colour and natural dyed fabrics

Dyeing fabrics and yarns consumes a great deal of energy and produces large quantities of toxic waste. Natural-grown colours remove this processing stage altogether, while natural dyes are generally much less polluting than synthetics.

Support fair and ethical trade practices

There is a strong and growing link between organic and ethical practices among groweres, manufacturers and retailers. Soil Association organic textiles standards now contain the most comprehensive requirements for safe working practices and fair trade.

Reduce the allergens present in the environment

By choosing chemical-free, organic fabrics, you help to reduce the background level of potentially allergenic chemical compounds. A recent U S National Academy of Sciences study suggested that one in four developmental and behavioural problems in children may be linked to genetic and environmental factors, including exposure to lead, mercury and organophosphate pesticides.

Save on toxic waste

Organic fabrics can be composted safely, without contributing to toxins in the soil.

Support biodiversity

Organic farming aids biodiversity at every level of the food chain, by using fewer pesticides and fertilisers and by adopting wildlife-friendly habitat management techniques.

Save energy

Conventional farming is a huge consumer of non-renewable fossil fuels. Organic farms tend to use less energy, instead focusing on careful ecological management and natural balances to solve pest problems.

You can be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.
What you wear says something about you, even if it doesn't have a slogan printed on it.

www.greenfibres.com

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