Press Release Summary = A range of underwear supplied by mail order
retailer Greenfibres is the first in the UK to be given the stamp
of Organic approval by the Soil Association. This is the first step
towards full UK Organic certification for the pioneering company,
about to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
Press Release Body = A range
of underwear supplied by mail order retailer Greenfibres is
the first in the UK to be given the stamp of Organic approval by
the Soil Association. This is the first step towards full UK Organic
certification for the pioneering company, about to celebrate its
10th anniversary.
Other Greenfibres products to be Soil Association certified for
the first time include a range of organic
cotton towels and a selection of organic cotton socks.
While most people have some idea of the reasons why organic food
might be better for us and the environment, the idea of buying
organic clothes is not one that occurs to many of us.
Gabriela Lana, co-director of Greenfibres, says, \"The textiles
industry causes a great deal of pollution and has rather dubious
working practices. Organic clothing is another logical step towards
living an ethical and eco-friendly life. Organic clothes are just
the latest development for those people interested in a sustainable
future.\"
The textile industry is indeed a major source of pollution, using
about one quarter of the pesticides applied to crops worldwide.
Some of these (such as organophosphates, pyrethroids, carbamates
and organochlorines) have been associated with cancer, birth defects,
and hormonal disruption. To grow the cotton for one T-shirt, around
150 grams of pesticides and synthetic fertiliser are used.
Synthetic chemicals are an integral part of textile manufacturing
(including bleaching, dying, and finishing) and are use at all stages
of conventional textile manufacturing. Over 2,500 are used, from
anticreasing and anistatic agents to flame retardants and whitening
agents. Fabrics that are labelled \"wrinkle-resistant\" are usually
treated with a formaldehyde resin. These include no-iron sheets
and bedding, curtains, sleep wear -- any woven fabric, but especially
polyester/cotton blends, marketed as \"permanent press\" or \"easy
care\".
Organic textiles are derived from crops grown according to strict
organic standards and no harmful chemicals are used in their
processing.
All Greenfibres Organic products are certified by one of the major
European certification agencies, which include Bioland (Germany),
Demeter (Germany) and SKAL (Netherlands), and they are very pleased
Soil Association certified garments can now be added to the list.
William Lana summs up by saying, \"Ethical consumers are starting
to make their voices heard and products from food and drink to skincare
and textiles are increasingly becoming available as in Soil Association
quality. This is good news for farmers, good news for innovative
companies and good news for the planet. We\'re very excited to be
part of this velvet revolution where ethical consumers - through
the hundreds of small decisions taken each day - are starting to
define a new operating agenda. Greenfibres having Soil Association
certified underwear is exciting, but the big story is people taking
responsibility for the way the live their lives!\"
NOTES
1. William Lana, co-director of Greenfibres, is chair of the Soil
Association\'s Textiles Standards Committee
2. William and Gabriela Lana started Greenfibres from their sitting
room in 1996. Turnover this year is expected to exceed £1M
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
About Soil Association Organic Textiles Standards
(from SA web site)
The standards cover the processing and manufacture of all natural
fibres including leather and skins. The manufacturing of organic
textiles uses methods that ensure minimal damage to humans and the
environment. All inputs must be assessed on their biodegradability
and their toxicity to fish, algae and water fleas. In addition,
inputs are not allowed if it is suspected, or proven, that the chemicals
or processes used can cause cancer, birth defects or changes to
reproductive organs. Suspected or proven allergens are also banned.
The conditions under which organic fibres can be grown are covered
in existing organic standards. The use of herbicides is prohibited
and artificial pesticides are severely restricted. All animals will
be reared to organic standards and no genetically modified (GM)
inputs are allowed.
Other organisations certifying organic textiles
A number of other organisations currently certify organic textiles,
but the Soil Association is the first UK certifier to do so.
Other labels you might see on textiles include KRAV (Sweden), Demeter
(Germany), IVN - International Association of Natural Textile Manufacturers
(Germany), SKAL (Holland). There are other labels such as Agrocel
(India) which are trade organisations as opposed to independent
certifiers.
In developing our standards we reviewed all those currently available
to ensure we captured the best and most appropriate standards from
elsewhere. In particular we worked within the criteria laid down
by IFOAM regarding toxicity (to humans and wildlife) and biodegradability
when deciding which chemicals and processes are acceptable. IFOAM
is the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements
an international umbrella organisation for organic standards.
The Soil Association is the only UK certifier that is accredited
by IFOAM.
For a garment to be labelled organic by the Soil Association, raw
materials must contain at least 95% organic materials excluding
accessories such as buttons and zips. The remaining 5% can be made
up of a limited range of non-organic fibres if insufficient organic
material is available. If an item contains 70% - 94% organic materials
by weight, it must be labelled made with xx% organic materials.
QUOTES
From Soil Association web site:
\"According to the WHO, 20,000 deaths occur in developing countries
each year from poisoning by agricultural pesticides used on crops,
of which many, due to their relative toxicity, can be attributed
to cotton. In Benin in West Africa, 24 people died as a result of
poisoning from cotton pesticides in 2000 this included 11 children
under the age of 10.\"
2009
