photo: John Foxx/Thinkstock
DCL
Organic clothing may not change the world the way a wholesale switch to renewable energy or electric cars, or the majority of people adopting vegetarian or near-veg diets would, but it is important nevertheless. Which makes it all the more exiting when GreenBiz reports that the number of companies certified to the Global Organic Textile Standard grew 40% last year.
There are now slightly over 2,800 companies in 55 countries certified by the voluntary standard, which covers all steps of the textile manufacturing process.
Companies must meet a number of environmental as well as social criteria to be certified to the standard, which bans the use of genetically modified organisms, toxic heavy metals, chlorine bleaching and hazardous chemicals like formaldehyde. Companies must meet wastewater treatment requirements, cannot use child labor and must providing living wages.
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