Green Goes Simple: Conservation at Home

Future Fashion: Eco-conscious Style

By Alison Baenen for Green Goes Simple

For most of us, getting dressed is personal. We use clothes to convey a message about ourselves to the outside world and to express, perhaps outlandishly or subtly, our aesthetic sensibilities. As such, the questions we run up against in the closet range from the prosaic (“Do these jeans make my butt look big?”) to the theoretical (“Can I wear this on a job interview?”).

But as more and more designers acknowledge the importance of a growing eco-fashion market, we may well be asking bigger-picture questions as we build our wardrobe: What kinds of material is this fabric made of? How much energy was consumed to create this item? Under what kind of working conditions was this made?

These are the concerns facing many designers, including the burgeoning niche of fashion purveyors concerned with creating clothes and accessories that are as sustainable as they are stylish.

But what exactly is eco-fashion?

Raina Blyer, the designer behind the cozy yoga-and-lifestyle line Creem, focuses on two things to keep her line sustainable: natural fabrics and local production. “Materials like recycled or organic cotton, bamboo and hemp are much more eco-friendly than anything poly or synthetic,” says Blyer.

According to Earth Pledge — a non-profit that provides business sustainability counseling — thousands of chemicals are used to transform raw materials into fabric. Plus, up to 25 percent of the world’s pesticides are used to grow non-organic cotton. Some garments, Blyer adds, have a sometimes flame-retardant chemical finish that helps them keep their shape

For her part, Blyer buys vintage when she’s not wearing something from her own line. She also loves trading with other designers and friends. “I try not to buy things that are trendy,” she says. “Buying a lot of cheap items and throwing them out at the end of the season is really wasteful.”

As for the benefits of local production, the same arguments used by locavores  — conscientious foodies who eat local grub — also apply to clothes. Less overseas shipping and international travel means smaller carbon footprints and more stimulation for the local economy. For Blyer, who works out of Manhattan’s Garment District, it’s also satisfying on the human level: “I visit my factories a few times a week. I know what the workers are getting paid and what time they go home,” she says. “You don’t really know what’s happening unless you’re there.”

Of course, harder-to-source textiles and fair trade usually lead to higher prices for the consumer. And while some fast-fashion retailers produce a percentage of their garments using organic cotton, Blyer recommends researching a company directly to learn about their sustainability policies. Currently, there’s no official certification for eco-designers, so it’s up to consumers to read labels, familiarize themselves with company policies and (more often than not) pay a little bit more for sustainably produced goods.

Alison Baenen is a freelance writer based in Brooklyn, N.Y. Her writing has appeared in Style.com, ContributingEditor.com, Epicurious.com and Concierge.com. In addition to editorial work, Alison is a copywriter for Theory, Gilt Groupe and PRPS. Her articles have previously appeared on Green Goes Simple.

Green Goes Simple: Family Footprints

Getting Wise(r) About Waste

By Amy Levin-Epstein for Green Goes Simple

You already know to carry around a reusable tote. They’re not only better for the earth, but also cuter to carry! But there are so many other small changes that can make a big difference in the amount of waste we create. Here, green lifestyle expert Sara Snow, author of Sara Snow’s Fresh Living: The Essential Room-by-room Guide to a Greener, Healthier Family and Home, shares her five best tips for adhering to the adage “Waste not, want not.”

Use Reusable Pouches

Plastic baggies are super-convenient — and super-wasteful. But cute reusable baggies (such as Posh Pouches) are the equivalent of lunch bags for your leftovers. You buy them once and use them over and over.

“These are fully lined in a BPA-, lead- and phthalate-free lining that allows you to wash out PB&J spills, with a strong Velcro closure that will keep even the crumbliest cookies in place,” says Snow. “Use them for snacks, lunches — even makeup and art or craft supplies.”

Buy in Bulk

Plastic, metal and paper packaging is a huge contributor to household waste. “Instead of buying another box of cereal, simply fill a reusable bag with the cereal of your choice from a bulk bin and slip that back into the original box,” suggests Snow. “You can do the same for pasta, beans, rice, crackers, dried fruit, nuts, olive oil, vinegar and many other items.” Bonus: You’ll likely spend less money in the process!

Recharge Your Batteries

Nope, we’re not talking about a day at the spa. Bottom line? Stop buying disposable batteries. “Batteries are a tricky little trash number because they’re tough to recycle and not supposed to be tossed with your regular trash,” says Snow. “A simple way to solve the dilemma is to invest in reusable, rechargeable batteries.”

Go E for Everything

Paper bills, bank statements, greeting cards, business cards, magazines, newspapers, letters — oh my! If it seems like you’re perpetually recycling or throwing out paper, go paper-free, suggests Snow. With computers — and maybe tablets or smartphones — at your fingertips, sending your paperwork through cyberspace has never been easier or safer.

Share Your Treasure

Ever heard the expression, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”? Make sure you’re sharing the wealth. “The next time you clean out your basement or attic, think twice before you declare something garbage; it takes just a little effort to drop those bags at Goodwill instead of in your garbage can,” says Snow. “If you live in a neighborhood, try leaving it at the end of your driveway for a day or two. Most things will disappear overnight, off to a good home where someone has the skills and time to fix that broken wheel, mend the tear or replace the electronics.”

Amy Levin-Epstein is a freelance writer who’s been published in magazines like Glamour, Self and Prevention, on websites like AOL, Babble and Details.com and in newspapers like the New York Post and the Boston Globe. You can read more of her writing at AmyLevinEpstein.com. Her articles have previously appeared on Green Goes Simple.

Green Goes Simple: Family Footprints

Favorite Fall Family Activities

By Marisa Belger for Green Goes Simple

This autumn, make a commitment to have more fun — family fun. Fall is the ideal season for outdoor family frolicking. Emily Anderson — author of Eco-chic Home: Rethink, Reuse & Remake Your Way to Sustainable Style, blogger at Good With Style and mother of two — suggests you try these easy autumn activities for kids and adults. Turn off the TV, throw on a sweater and experience the bounty of the season!

Become a Leaf Detective
“Fall foliage is a perfect way to experience the earth’s natural state,” says Anderson. “Head to the park and enjoy the changing colors of the leaves.” Gather leaves of different shapes and colors, and then learn more about them when you get home by checking out LeafSnap, an online app created by the University of Maryland, Columbia University, the Smithsonian Institution and FindingSpecies.org.

Pick Your Own Harvest
Head to a local farm and pick your own apples, squash or pumpkins. Once you unload your bounty at home, Anderson recommends making an easy recipe together, such as butternut squash soup or applesauce. “Spending time on a local farm is a great way to support agriculture and to teach your kids about where food really comes from,” she says. Check out PickYourOwn.org for farms near you.

Eat Seasonally

The change of seasons is a perfect time to teach your kids about eating food that’s seasonal. Check out your local farmers market for the best of in-season produce that’s been grown nearby. “Eating locally grown food is good for the planet and can be a lot more affordable than the alternative,” says Anderson. “In-season items to look for are sweet potatoes, artichokes, arugula, beets, broccoli, carrots, cranberries, eggplant, kale, leeks and zucchini.” Visit LocalHarvest.org to find farms in your area and check out FruitsAndVeggiesMoreMatters.org for fall recipes you can make with what you find.

Go Slow
Consider hosting a fall-themed dinner party that features nothing but local and in-season food. It’s a great chance to bring friends and family together and to teach your kids about cooking with seasonal foods. If you’re not up for hosting, Anderson recommends checking out Slow Food USA, a sustainable and local food nonprofit that hosts local events around the country.

Decorate Naturally
“Use the bounty of fall to get started on your holiday decorations,” suggests Anderson. Acorns, branches and leaves can all become beautiful festive items with a little paint and imagination. Collect items from your backyard or visit a local park, and this Thanksgiving you’ll have nature’s answer to the ultimate holiday table setting.

Photo Credit: @iStockphoto.com/ericmichaud

Marisa Belger’s work has appeared in Travel + Leisure Family, Natural Health, Prevention and TODAYShow.com, where she wrote a column about eco-friendly living. She was an editor at Lime.com and collaborated with author Josh Dorfman on his bestselling books, The Lazy Environmentalist and The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget.