A basic white, 100% cotton T-Shirt. We all have one, but do you know who and what it took to make that? We must go back to the beginning: agriculture. Due to the demands of population and Western countries appetite for fast-fashion, appropriate agricultural technologies are crucial. Typically, growing and harvesting one pound of cotton fiber needed to make a T-shirt takes an enormous and devastating toll on the Earth's air, water, soil and global health.



While we do hold cotton farmers in the United States, it is mostly in developing countries that we import our cotton form. Most of the world's cotton farmers live and work in underdeveloped countries therefore their people suffer from:

• Low levels of safety awareness
• Lack of access to protective apparatus
• Illiteracy
• Poor labeling of pesticides
• Chronic poverty. 

There is roughly $2 billion worth of chemical pesticides released per year. Cotton particularly accounts for 16% of global insecticides released from a single crop. India alone houses one third of the world's cotton farmers, where 54% of all pesticides are used. Since these countries, such as India, aren't as developed, the cotton farmers don't have access to resources or infrastructure we do in the United States. It's also common for child laborers to participate in the application in places such as Central Asia, Egypt, Pakistan, just to name a few. Even if children or adults are not actively participating in the application, it still affects the surrounding villages because they live in near the cotton field or use empty pesticide containers. Can you imagine drinking water from one of these containers?

One of the biggest issues with cotton farming right now is that bio-tech companies, like Monsanto, began patenting seeds. These are often referred to as genetically-modified organisms (GMO) or corporate seeds.   One of the biggest issues with these GMO's is that they defy the sustainable farming tactics used before they were created. Farmer’s can no longer save this harvest’s seed for next year, meaning they are forced to purchase new seeds every year. Corporate seeds destroy nature’s natural evolution and biodiversity because farmers cannot reuse last year’s seed and they are forced to buy expensive fertilizers and pesticides needed to grow their crop.

Some acute symptoms of pesticide poisoning include: headaches, vomiting, tremors, lack of coordination, difficulty breathing, depression, seizures. Some of the chronic effects: Impaired memory and concentration, disorientation, and death. 23 million to 77 million agricultural workers suffer from pesticide poisoning. Although we may not have the loaded gun, there are too many links between pesticides and human ailments.



Photo credit here
  

     Many of us may not be ready to make the full leap into being style conscious, which is okay because this not something you can do overnight. I'm sure that many people reading this blog still shop for brand-new clothes at the mall, in-store, or online. We have been conditioned through society and marketing to shop the newest, hottest trends. To ease into this process, I wanted to give some tips on how to be more eco-conscious when you're shopping.



Get an e-mailed receipt: I know we all hate spam, so I highly recommend making an email specifically for when you make purchases. Ask the cashier if they can email the receipt rather than print it out. Also, any coupons offered can be e-mailed rather than mailed on paper to your address. When you have a separate e-mail specifically for shopping, you only have to check it when necessary.

Don't buy something new for a specific day or event: I see this happen all the time! "I'm going out to dinner tonight, but I have nothing to wear!" Most likely not true. You have plenty to wear. You probably have 3 dresses with the tags still on from previous events you were supposed to wear those to, but never did. As I admitted in my first post, I have previously purchased from fast-fashion retailers, but I can't change what I've already bought. So, my best option is to re-wear and then donate those pieces so they become sustainable. My point being - make use of what you already have.

Donate everything:  If you haven't worn something once within the past year, it's time to say goodbye. If the item no longer fits you, or if your kids have outgrown it, pass it on to someone else or donate it. This is difficult for women especially because we try to talk ourselves into keeping it, but try to be honest with yourself. Plus, the less you have, the less clutter and laundry to do which is a win-win in my book.

Bring a reusable tote everywhere: Plastic/paper bags...no thank you. This is, in my opinion, the easiest way to start being eco-friendly...eliminate the plastic bag! Yes, they may recycle but if you refuse to use it, you are making that one less bag that retailer has to replenish and you won't create any trash in the first place. I have a few usable bags of different sizes, the biggest one I have is from Aldi, actually. A bigger tote is perfect for shopping because clothing and shoes can be bulky, and you won't have multiple bags to lug around with you. These totes are awesome to grocery shop with, too. A quick side note, for you online shoppers, a reusable tote may not apply. When you receive your package in the mail, flatten and save them to reuse them for something you have to mail out, use them as a gift box, or just make sure they are put in the recycling bin.

If anyone has any other great tips, please comment below!

Fashion has changed drastically in recent years. Its gone from 2 to 4 seasons to 52 seasons, where mega-corporations such as H&M and Forever 21 receive shipment on a weekly, possibly even daily basis. As someone who lives in the United States, I understand the desire to buy a shirt that only cost $10. With a high-cost of living and student debt, I can relate to contemplating a fashion purchase that would cost $50. But when I'm honest with myself, do I love this shirt? Will I get a lot of use out of it?