Green Product Trends

World's first Carbon Neutral Clothing Factory

2008-06-01T09:33:00.000-07:00

A Sri-Lankan firm claims it is the world's first carbon neutral clothing factory. The plant is a 'green factory' inspired by Marks and Spencer’s five year plan to make their operations more environmentally friendly.
Consumers in England and other developed countries are increasingly getting more "green" conscious. A survey of Marks and Spencer customers found that 78 percent of them wanted to know where, how and what material went in to products they buy.

The MAS group’s new 7 million US dollar Thulhiriya factory, located at an industrial complex managed by the MAS group, was made to meet these new customer concerns.
F
actory designers have gone to great lengths to minimize energy use and its environmental impact. The firm tried to see whether it could cover the whole plant with renewable energy as opposed to the grid energy that has a 65 percent thermal component.

The plant has one of the largest solar power systems in the island which was financed by M&S, explains Ralapanawe, the Sustainability Manager at MAS Intimates.

Some of the remaining electricity needs come from a hydro plant that supplies renewable energy to the grid.

Other techniques to conserve energy include:

Use of LED lights for all lighting
Careful design of windows for natural lighting
Solar reflecting roofs to bounce off heat
Natural environment with trees and good ventilation to eliminate costly air-conditioning

Read more about this article here

Futons made from organic Cotton

2008-05-26T15:17:00.000-07:00

Green Nest, a company specializing in organic and eco-friendly products sells this unique futon made from organic cotton.

The strength of these futons is the 2-inch natural rubber core that maximizes comfort and longevity. Layers of quilted and tufted cotton surround the core and add softness and loft. These futons are versatile enough to be used as a mattress or a sofa. Extremely durable, flexible and resilient. The cover is 100% Organic Cotton fabric.

For more details on this futon, click here

The Era of Green Computing is here

2007-11-22T14:03:00.000-08:00

The era of green computing is now here. A recent study on the vast amounts of energy consumed by data centers illustrated the need to find effective ways to reduce that consumption says AMD CEO Hector Ruiz .

In 2005, U.S-based data centers — including servers, cooling and auxiliary equipment — consumed 4.5 billion kilowatts hours, resulting in electric bills that amounted to $3 billion. “To put this into perspective this is equivalent to 5,000 megawatt nuclear power plants, making the U.S. the hungriest consumer of data center power on the planet,” he said.

Reducing this footprint by even 1% means tremendous savings in energy. Indeed, AMD is one such company making strides to provide more energy efficient computing through its next generation Opteron microprocessor and various computing initiatives. Other companies include IBM and Sun that have invested millions of dollars in developing technologies for greening the data center.

Ruiz noted that AMD has formed the Green Grid, an initiative that brings together companies whose technologies form the eco-system of data centers. The aim is to find ways to bring about more energy efficient computing. That is only part of the equation, though. Government should be a big partner. As a result, he lauded the work the Environmental Protection Agency has done with its Energy Star program to help agencies identify products that are energy efficient. “The era of green computing has begun,” which has presented opportunities for better government and industry partnership, Ruiz said.

More on this article at http://www.gcn.com/online/vol1_no1/43359-1.html

New Algae-Growing Technique Could Lead to Earth-Friendly Fabric, Paint

2007-10-11T03:56:00.000-07:00

Going green is fashionable, but dyeing our clothes has remained a decidedly eco-unfriendly practice. Now, British scientists have developed a way to grow harmless algae to add color to fabric and paint.

The algae, called diatoms, are single-celled organisms that are unique because they pack iridescent shells. The hard silica shells act like crystals -- depending on the configuration of the holes in the shell, the color changes. The perception of color is maintained without altering the chemical composition of fabric, which is a fundamentally different way of producing color.

"As the paint dries, they will all align themselves horizontally at the surface, all reflecting light the same way," said Andrew Parker, the Oxford researcher who helped develop the new technique. "So, even though you have completely transparent paint and completely transparent silica shells, they will produce a very strong color."

The new process is one of several advances that could provide safer and less expensive alternatives.

Read more about this topic here.

The Eco-Fashion Revolution

2007-10-08T19:57:00.000-07:00

In a recent article by Brita Belli, E Magazine. Posted September 17, 2007, consumers are now considering who grew their cotton and who turned it into a wearable object. Less inclined with traditional activist ideals, designers are thinking more like architects creating products with design and textile. For example, Brooklyn designer Nina Valenti, who launched the sustainable line naturevsfuture in 2002, designs peieces that have a strong line, form and texture. Her clothing has severe pleats and soft gathers, military stiffness and feminine slits, the yin and yang of organic and technological forces. Her fabrics range from the expected organic cottons, wools, hemps and soys to fabrics made from recycled soda bottles. Another designer, fusing practicality with design is Carol young. Young's label, undesigned, is a study in wearable sustainable fashion that is decidedly modern in its ability to transcend season and move between office, bicycle, subway and sidewalk. There are skinny jeans layered with dotted, form-fitting dresses topped with demure shrugs. Bold pockets and soft hoodies and bubbled edges.

As Jill Danyelle,an eco-design blogger put its "Green fashion has definitely expanded outward from its 'hippie' connotations of the past," says Danyelle, who is also the fashion editor for inhabitat.com. "We have seen expansion all the way into high-end designer looks down to Wal-Mart. This is what I see as true growth. Yet the percentage of the marketplace is still so miniscule that I believe eco-friendly design in the fashion industry is far from established."

Read more onthis article here.

Green Investing - the next big thing!

2007-10-08T18:29:00.000-07:00

Investing in companies touting green and eco-friendly technology and products is the next big thing in wall street. A recent article in Kiplinger's magazine points out how younger generation is investing in stocks and funds that focus on sustainable, eco-friendly technologies and companies. They're investing in environmentally friendly stocks -- either directly or through funds -- to make money.

Contrary to popular belief, environmental stocks do provide healthy returns as evidenced by rising stocks of companies like United Technologies, a green double play. It has been developing more-efficient helicopters and jet engines, as well as such innovative products as gearless elevators that use half the power of traditional lifts. The industrial conglomerate has also reduced its own energy consumption by 2% a year for ten years and intends to accelerate those savings. Meanwhile, the company has boosted its earnings 14% annually since 2002. Its stock price has doubled, and so have its cash dividends.

One of the nice things about green investing is that the universe of potential investments is large and wide. Green stocks encompass a variety of sectors, company sizes and quality. Many potential investments are young, small and risky. But you can green up a portfolio with a package of proven blue chips, such as General Electric (symbol GE), Johnson Controls (JCI) and United Technologies (UTX). All three work with developers to cool, heat and light buildings more efficiently, among other things. That's important because buildings are responsible for about one-third of the world's energy consumption.

Read more on green investing here.

Hemp is Cool

2007-10-06T21:46:00.000-07:00

Going green is in and with it so is Hemp!

Hemp has been around for decades and is part of the eco-fashion world. Industrial hemp has thousands of uses, from paper to textiles to biodegradable plastics to health food to fuel. Hemp could be used to replace many potentially harmful products, such as tree paper (the process of which uses bleaches and other toxic chemicals, apart from contributing to deforestation), cosmetics (which often contain synthetic oils that can clog pores and provide little nutritional content for the skin), plastics (which are petroleum based and cannot decompose), and more.

"Hemp clothing has received a lot of negative press over the years and the time has come to give this amazing fibre a serious style makeover" says leading Hemp clothing fashion designer Jenny McPherson who sells the Enamore clothing line of hemp based clothing in U.K. Enamore is a creative hemp clothing label launched in 2004 by Brighton based fashion designer Jenny McPherson, her business philosophy is to design and create fashionable, beautiful, contemporary clothing from a wide variety of hemp based fabrics and recycled materials.

Hemp is is currently going through a revival and it’s market potential is being pushed further all the time. The industrial hemp textile market is expanding rapidly with new interesting fabrics being developed every year. More versatile than other natural textiles, hemp can be woven in a variety of weights from linen-like to canvas, and in a wide array of colours and finishes. The fabrics are luxurious and blended with other natural fibres such as silk, wool, yak hair and cotton, they feel great on the skin. Hemp fabrics are great for people with sensitive skin because of the lack of bleaching agents used in the processing.

Expect to see a number of retailers introducing hemp based clothing in the near future.
Links to Hemp fashion:

http://www.wunderland.com/WTS/Andy/Stoners/fashion.html
http://www.inbi-hemp.co.uk/

Kids - The Littlest Eco-Warriers

2007-10-05T19:40:00.000-07:00

Seen and heard, kids are becoming the green movement's stealth weapon, pressuring their parents on everything from lightbulbs to composting. Inside the push to create the littlest eco-warriors.

A recent article in Wall Street Journal shed light on how kids are influencing more "green" purchases and the lifestyles of their parents and family members. In households across the country, kids are going after their parents for environmental offenses, from using plastic cups to serving non-grass-fed beef at the dinner table. Many of these kids are getting more explicit messages about becoming eco-warriors at school and from popular books and movies.

"Kids are putting pressure on their parents, and this is a very good thing," says Laurie David, a producer of the documentary "An Inconvenient Truth." Ms. David is the co-author of a new children's book, "The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming," which urges kids, among other things, to petition mom and dad for recycled-fiber toilet paper. "I know how powerful my kids are," she says. "When they want something, forget it -- all the resistance in the world isn't going to help you."

The Natural Resources Defense Council, the New York nonprofit, has been trying to secure permission from various media companies to use a cartoon character to spread the word. "It is the really, really young kids who are going to change their parents' behavior," says Phil Gutis, the group's spokesman, adding that the message to children ought to be straightforward: "I think it'd be as simple as, 'Kids, tell your parents.' "

We hope that as these young eco-warriers mature, they will in turn foster a greater respect for the environment and help drive the political and business worlds to adopt more eco-friendly policies to help reduce green house gases and other pollutants.

Read more about this article here.

Littleearth fashionable purses

2007-09-23T19:55:00.000-07:00

Littlearth products from the Littlearth family of brands are starting conversations all over the United States and all over the world. Based in Pittsburgh, Littleearth makes unique and trendsetting purses and belts by reusing and recycling materials that would otherwise be overlooked or thrown away.

Check out Littleearth purses and fashions at http://www.littleearh.com

Top Five list of Fall Fashion Trends

2007-09-23T19:41:00.000-07:00

Eco-style diva Summer Rayne Oakes, one of the most widespoken glamorous most glamorous entomologist / environmental scientist on the planet gives us her list of top five fashion trends for this fall:

1. Organic cotton denim

Denims made from organic cotton are big this fall.

2. Sculptural feminine shapes
Slouchy pants and swinging cuts are in favor as are oversized sweaters but all sculptured to fit and flatter a women's body.

3. Vintage & local finds

Old belts and bags at your local vintage are back in vogue.

4. Affordability
More affordable fashions are to hit the market

5. Next wave: Fair trade & socially responsible fashions

Last but not the least, clothing manufactured in shops that observe fair trade & social responsibility abhoring child labor and other inhumane working conditions will be in vogue.

Read more on this article here.

More on eco-friendly cosmetics and skin care

2007-09-18T19:22:00.000-07:00

Launched in 2006, Micky Byrd all-natural product line, is committed to providing a healthier skincare alternative for consumers. Viola strongly believes in the concept that what comes naturally from the earth is far healthier for our bodies than what is artificially manufactured. The product ingredients are naturally and organically derived vegetable oils and botanicals with high moisturizing and skin nourishing properties. Micky Byrd�s products do not contain petroleum products, hazardous chemicals, artificial colors or parabens.

Micky Byrd’s products include handmade body soufflés, body butters, body and bath oils, sugar scrubs, bath salts and hand-cut artsy-styled soaps. All products are handmade in small batches and hand packed to maintain product freshness.

Micky Byrd operates as an eco-friendly, cruelty free and socially conscious company. The company's pledge is to: Be Natural, Be Organic, Be Green and to purchase from Fair Trade suppliers throughout the world. Recycled materials are used for their packaging and they focus on doing business with companies who share their philosophy.

To purchase products and for additional information, visit Micky Byrd�s website at: www.mickybyrd.com.

Skin Care Going Organic and Natural

2007-09-18T19:09:00.000-07:00

Given the wide use of synthetic chemicals in mainstream cosmetics and the consumer worries about the effect of such chemicals on sensitive skin, consumers are turning towards organic and natural skin care solutions in droves.

According to the latest statistics from Organic Monitor, a British-based business research and consulting company that specializes in global organic and related-product industries, natural and organic cosmetics were expected to account for 3 percent of all cosmetic sales in Europe last year.

While that is a small percentage, the amount has been increasing by 20 percent a year recently. And in some countries, like Germany, the sector's market share is expected to approach 10 percent by 2012.

The European market for natural and organic cosmetics totaled €1.1 billion, or $1.5 billion, in revenue in 2006. That is a small fraction of worldwide cosmetics sales - the top-end makeup segment alone totaled $3.1 billion in the United States last year - but no wonder mainstream and luxury brands want a piece of the action.

Traditional companies such as L'Oreal and Clarins have both added natural brands to their portfolios. L'Oréal bought Sanoflore, the leading French producer of organic cosmetics, while Clarins made an initial investment of €3 million in Kibio, another organic brand from France.
Other popular brands focusing on organic skin care include new eco-conscious labels like Bod from Australia and Taer Icelandic from Iceland. Both companies claim they use pure herbs and high-quality essential oils, in products packaged in recyclable glass.

Read more on this article here.

A "Total" Green Home

2007-09-15T11:45:00.000-07:00

More and more people are trying out ways to make their home more eco-friendly. Home are either being remodelled or new eco-friendly houses are being built from scratch that leave less environment footprint or conserve less energy.

In a recent article that appeared in www.firstcoastnews.com, a family in Atlantic Beach, Florida is taking their older home and turning it totally green.

Sarah Boren says they first decided to remodel their 1950's home when they had a second child on the way. "We were expecting a baby so we wanted to add on but we wanted to do it right."

They took their 2-bedroom one-bath beach cottage and turned it into a 3-bedroom home with much more space. The home is still far from being completed but the Borens put a lot of thought in remodeling the home to be green. "The things that come to mind when it comes to green is being environmentally responsible with energy efficiency and water efficiency but also a big part of it was health."

Read more on this here.

Non-Profits go Green!

2007-09-15T11:38:00.001-07:00

I just came across this neat news clip about Habitat for Humanity building a home that is completely eco-friendly.

It is the first earth-friendly habitat for humanity house in Virginia. Builders found creative ways to make it good for the environment and also save the owner some cash. The includes carpets made from recycled coke bottles, walls made from layers of insulation that maintains a constant temperature in winter and summer and therefore saving on electricity costs by about a third.

Habitat for Humanity's director says building the earth-friendly home didn't cost any more than building a regular home, so they hope to build more of these "green" houses in Hampton Roads soon.

Read more about this article here.

Eco-friendly Yoga Stick-E Socks

2007-09-14T03:52:00.000-07:00

Yoga Stick-eTM Socks is the newest patented product for the fastest growing segment in the health and exercise market. Being made from bamboo fiber, they also appeal to today’s eco-friendly movement. Yoga Stick-eTM Socks, U.S. patent #7107626 was invented by Elizabeth Andrews of Libby’s Luxuries LLC to solve several long-standing problems associated with barefoot exercise.

Being made from bamboo fiber, Yoga Stick-eTM Socks are in touch with today’s eco friendly consumer. Bamboo is nature’s most sustainable resource. It is grown without pesticides or chemicals, is 100% biodegradable, and is naturally regenerative. Bamboo is actually a tropical grass with an extensive root system that sends out an average of four to six new shoots per year, naturally replenishing itself and growing to heights of 60 feet or more. Some bamboo species grow up to 4 feet per day.

more on this article here.

Eco-news: Why green is the new black

2007-09-13T19:43:00.000-07:00

Why green is the new black

Sep 13 2007

WE are all being urged to do our bit to save the world these days - whether it's turning off the TV standby or opting for Fairtrade produce.

There has never been more ways to ease your consumer conscience, and fashion is no exception.

The eco-clothing market is booming and suddenly not only is green fashion worthy it's also desirable. Karen Hambridge reports.

WHILE everyone loves a bargain and throwaway fashion is the bread and butter of the high street there's a growing group of shoppers who are aspiring to more ethical ideals.

As consumers seek to spend their "green pounds" the style savvy are increasingly turning to eco-fashion.

Buying organic, eco-friendly and Fairtrade clothing is no longer the preserve of the new-age brigade.

High street store New Look has enrolled TV presenter Fearne Cotton to front an organic campaign and this month Estethica - a space dedicated to eco-sustainable high fashion - celebrates its first anniversary at London Fashion Week.

"Because more and more of us are asking questions - and demanding answers - the ethical clothing movement is gaining momentum," explains Tamsin Blanchard, author of new book Green is the New Black.

"Companies like Marks & Spencer are going full speed ahead to change the way they work, with the target of being carbon neutral by 2012.

"The rest of the British high street is racing to catch up."

One of the biggest changes is the transformation of eco-clothing from kaftans and baggy pants to funky T-shirts and sexy lingerie.

It's fashion people want to wear, not only because it's worthy but equally importantly because it looks good.

There are now eco-friend-ly lines which would give designer togs a run for their money and they are easier to find.

Many companies run successful internet shopping sites and more stores are stocking ethically sourced, Fairtrade and organic fashion.

One such store is Exclusive Roots at Hatton Country World, Warwick.

A retail offshoot of the Tabeisa project the shop offers womenswear, childrenswear, home goods, jewellery, gifts and bags.

Tabeisa is a not-for-profit consortium of four South African and two British higher education institutions including, Coventry University.

It supports trading opportunities for people in disadvantaged communities overseas and helps them start their own businesses.

Last year a Tabeisa backed international competition, Design4Life resulted in two dress designs being made up by workers within the Women in Progress co-operative in Ghana.

The two dresses, under the brand name Global Mamas, then went on sale in Topshop and singer Natalie Imbrughlia was spotted wearing one.

Jane Conlon, chief executive of Tabeisa, seconded from Coventry University, said at last eco-fashion was appealing, not just on moral grounds but because it was attractive.

"I think for a long time Fairtrade had this dusty 'back-of-the-church' image but now goods are very well designed and people want them because they look good."

The shop, Tabeisa's pilot store in Europe, has been open for almost three months and has already attracted a following.

In the longer term she said they hoped to expand the business and develop more outlets.

Jane said: "Exclusive Roots is our trading arm so now we are not only supporting disadvantaged communities in Africa to set up businesses but also helping them to sell their products.

"So we have a lot of organic goods, recycled goods and the Design4Life dresses.

"We have bags which are made from recycled magazines and water packets and jewellery made by women in Kenya."

She added more and more consumers were keen to ensure their hard-earned money not only bought them something nice but offered a better quality of life to its producers.

"People are becoming a lot more aware and are asking where the goods they buy are made and under what conditions.

"I think that can only be a positive thing.

"It can be difficult to enjoy something if you know there has been suffering involved in making it."

Article published at Coventry Telegraph, U.K

Fashionable & Eco-Friendly Clothes

2007-09-13T19:19:00.000-07:00

Eco-friendly clothing is now deemed not only fashionable but also a luxury according to Barbara Cavanaugh, Managing Director of Under The Canopy, a Boca Raton company that designs organic items for the home and for your closet. Their new fashion line includes certified organic t-shirts, linen jeans and silk dresses all made from organic cotton.

Under The Canopy, in business in Boca Raton for over a decade, is part of a growing trend towards organic fibers. As more and more shoppers embrace the "going green" trend, Nationwide sales of organic cotton have nearly tripled since 2003.

Large retailers such as Perry Ellis International have also recently launched an eco-friendly line of outdoor wear. Stores from Macys to Zara also sell organic clothes and items for the home too.

WHY YOU SHOULD GO ORGANIC

2007-09-07T20:25:00.000-07:00

Not so long ago, eco-clothing was synonymous with hippies and hemp, but those who still believe that yarn are in for a stylish shock - because eco-clothing has never been more fashionable. Well-known designers are getting in on the eco act and some even managed to secure themselves a spot at the prestigious London Fashion Week this month.

Unconvinced about going green on the fashion front?

The Soil Association in the UK gives these reasons for cottoning on to organic clothing:

Non-organic cotton farming uses one quarter of the world's pesticides - causing damage to the environment, sinking farmers into debt, causing illness and even death, they claim.

Organic cotton farmers in developing countries report higher incomes plus using viable alternatives to chemicals protects their health.

GM cotton is grown commercially in many countries so choosing organic cotton is the best way to avoid buying GM cotton.

You'll avoid hazardous chemicals - over 8,000 chemicals can be used to turn cotton into a T-shirt or duvet cover.

Stylish organic clothing and household textiles are now widely available so there's no longer a compromise between style and organic integrity.

Preventing Rainforest deforestation by buying eco-friendly furniture

2007-06-22T05:26:00.000-07:00

Do you know that around 8% of timber which entered European Union countries in 2004 was probably illegal and could have landed up as tables and chairs, according to estimates by World Wide Fund for Nature researcher James Hewitt.

A number of shoppers dont realize that when they purchase furniture, that nice bed made of teak wood, they are inadvertently encouraging the deforestation of precious rain forest. The wood that is used in the furniture is more likely to have come from illegal felling of trees in the rain forest in Asia, Africa or Latin America.

Experts say the best way of clamping down on illegal logging of rainforests in Asia, Africa and Latin America is to educate consumers in the West to make sure they buy furniture made from sustainable sources such as plantation wood.

If consumers ask about the sources of wood before they buy furniture, then prices might come down and there would be no financial incentives for locals to cut down these unique and irreplaceable tropical forests, they say.

To this end, the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) issues a logo for furniture made from approved plantation wood as opposed to wood from rainforests, which are ruined forever once chopped down even when loggers attempt to replant secondary forests.
Identifying growing consumer demand for sustainable furniture, Swedish furniture giant Ikea has set itself a goal of ensuring that at least 30% of its wood comes from FSC-approved sources by next year.

“People ask where does the product come from? What kind of wood is it made from? Is it coming from tropical rainforests?” said Sofie Beckham, a forestry coordinator for Ikea.

Shoppers concerned about the environment should instead opt for long-lasting furniture made from approved or recycled wood.

Read more on this article here.

World's first Solar powered cell phone

2007-06-20T03:49:00.000-07:00

HiTech Wealth telecommunications has just begun selling the S116, the worlds first commercial solar powered cell phone and the specs are pretty impressive. The cellphone currently is only available in China.

The solar panels trickle-charge the battery in any amount of light, including indoors (or even by candlelight), and the battery life is 2.5 times longer than it would be without the panels. An hour of direct sunlight will give users 40 extra minutes of talk time. The phone also features a 1.3 mpx camera, and an MP3 player.

With a steep price tag of $510, it is to be wondered if there is a large enough market of dedicated green geeks who will buy this phone. However, we will expect that in the months to come more phones such as these may hit the market bringing the average price of these phones down to a more acceptable level.

Bamboo furniture in vogue

2007-06-17T18:44:00.000-07:00

Although bamboo has been used in furniture for centuries in Asia, it's popularity has risen in the last few years in the western world mainly due to its sustainability characteristics.

Now bamboo is used by architects and designers for construction, for airy summer houses as well as for sturdy flooring, for furniture and design accents, even for dinnerware.

Gardeners in many regions grow bamboo for screening and greening, outdoors and indoors, and long, elegant bamboo poles serve decorative or functional purposes.

Bamboo isn't a tree, but is technically a grass, sometimes defined as a woody grass, explained Brian Funk of the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, curator of the Japanese Hill and Pond Garden and of the Japanese tree-peony collection.

In size it can range from a ground cover 1 to 2 feet high, to timber bamboos topping out at 75 feet or so. "Depending on the climate, the stems could get to a diameter of 8 to 10 inches."

Its fast regrowth makes it a sustainable plant that can be harvested repeatedly. In a favorable habitat, it could grow as fast as 1 foot in 24 hours, Funk said, and it grows back to full size in a few years. Usually stems are allowed to mature, up to about seven years, before being harvested again.

Morris Saintsing, a partner in the South Carolina-based clothing company Bamboosa, said that two years ago when it was founded, early in 2005, Bamboosa was the first company to make its own bamboo fabrics (from imported yarn and fiber) in the United States. Since then, he said, "We've experienced tremendous growth, and we have plans for significant growth over the next three years."

For furniture maker and designer Tucker Robbins, bamboo is "the No. 1 best material for the environment," in addition to being beautiful.

Bamboo is quite versatile, its stalks can be pressed into boards for tough flooring, or it can be crushed to produce fiber for super-comfy clothing, bedding and towels. Many vendors now market bamboo clothes. These vendors include Land's End that makes bamboo towels, Target that makes bamboo sheets, Bamboosa that makes baby socks.

Read more about the article at http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070616/LIVING02/706160339/-1/LOCAL17

Organic Apparel Trend Setters

2007-05-13T20:37:00.000-07:00

My wife and I were sitting in the porch and discussing the definitions of a Fad vs Trend. I stated that while a fad is an infatuation that is relatively short lived, a trend is something that permeates the entire societies very foundation making its way into socia, economical institutions.

One example of a trend that I alluded to is the renewed interest and the growth of organic food, apparel, alternate fuels and natural health products. Although organic food and apparel have been in the market for decades, it has been only recently that there has been a much more renewed interest with almost all major retailers such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot etc., opening up retail spaces for organic food and/or apparel.

Consumer interest in organic goods of all kinds is booming. According to a survey of 67,000 people by the consumer research firm NPD Group, 18% of consumers reported an interest in organic fashion products in 2006, a jump from just 6% in 2004. in the United States alone, sales of organic cotton products increased 55% from 2001 to 2005, according to a report from nonprofit Organic Exchange. Apparel accounts for the largest proportion of merchandise given out in incentive programs every year — 55% of companies reported offering apparel in the most recent Incentive Merchandise Facts Report (April).

Although the mention of organic clothing instills a picture of drab colored boring tees and pants that only your grandparents would wear, that perception is changing with the rise of many designer labelled brands including some by Patagonia and Nike. Indeed, Paul Kiewet, Chairman of Irving, Texas based Promotional Products Association Internation (PPAI) coments: We’re moving away from the old hippie, new age imagery and finally waking up to the fact that we can’t keep damaging the environment.” Adoption of organic apparel and use of reneweable fabrics is on the rise.

One company that is benefitting from this is SOS ( Save our Soil), a texas based company that produces organic apparel. Comments founder Gary Oldman “In the early days, consumers weren’t too aware of what organic cotton was, and it was a real slow marketing process,” says Oldman. “In the past three years, we’ve seen a real increase in the promotional products industry. Maybe [the companies] aren’t even aware of organic cotton, but their customers are asking for it.”

Other companies use other type of renewable resources that are an alternative to organic cotton which is still fairly expensive in the market. Patagonia has successfully marketed fleeces with recycled PET from soda bottles. In addition, recently Patagoria has also announced the expansion of Common Threads Recycling Program, that asks customers to return worn out polar fleece garmets which the company then recycles to make new garments.

Gaiam, another organic trendsetter, is looking into using materials from soy and bamboo. Mill Direct Apparale a Minnesota based company is now distributing polo, long-sleeve and Tees made from Ingeo, a high-performance, reneweable, man-made material that is attracting the attention of many large retailers. Production of Ingeo requires 68 percent less energy than polyester and has the added bonus of being biodegradable.

Companies have been also targetting the baby apparel market. GDiapers is a new bio-degradable diaper that can be flushed down the toilet and is fully organic.

So with all the new interest in going green, is the adoption and growth of organic and renewable products a fad or a trend?

Chandu
Eyezotica.com

Wal-Mart warned of consumer fraud for misleading labelling of organic products

2007-05-11T03:44:00.000-07:00

Consumer fraud investigators in the state of Wisconsin released their findings this week after a three-month long investigation into allegations that Wal-Mart stores throughout the state of Wisconsin had misled consumers by misidentifying conventional food items as organic.
In a letter to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., based in Bentonville, Ark., the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection stated they’d found numerous instances of conventional food products improperly labeled as organic by the retail chain.

Specifically, Wisconsin authorities told Wal-Mart’s legal counsel that “use of the term ‘Wal-Mart Organics’ in combination with reference to a specific non-organic product may be considered to be a misrepresentation and therefore a violation” of Wisconsin state statutes.

More on this.

Takeaways from Organic Conference and Trade Show 2007

2007-05-09T03:00:00.000-07:00

2006 U.S. organic sales show substantial growth
• U.S. organic food sales totaled nearly $17 billion in 2006, representing about 3 percent of all retail sales of food and beverages
• Sales of organic foods grew by 22.1 percent in 2006 to reach $16.9 billion. Sales in 2005 were $13.831 billion

Products to watch
• Organic women’s apparel sales showed a 28 percent gain in 2006
• Organic baby food is an emerging product, with a 21.5 percent gain in 2006
• Organic personal care items showed an average growth rate of 11 percent in 2006, with organic hair- care products posting about 17 percent growth and organic supplements about 15 percent
• Organic beef sales grew about 13.5 percent

Source: Organic Trade Association

Organic eco-friendly shopping: convenience stores

2007-05-06T08:13:00.000-07:00

Consumers are purchasing more organic foods in expanding categories. The category with the most growth over the year is "snacks," with 18 percent of infrequent users claiming to purchase organic snacks. New businesses are popping up to serve the exploding demand for organic and natural foods. One example is Full Moon Foodies Inc. located in Portland, Oregon. Full Moon Foodies is a new retail concept poised to capitalize on the current phenomenon in an underserved market segment, the convenience store. By offering friendly knowledgeable staff, upscale store design, multiple community based locations and the extended hours the larger grocers lack this new concept is poised to make living a healthy organic lifestyle a lot easier.

As the number of high density urban centers increases, the need for quick access to organic and environmentally friendly retail follows. The concept focuses on the high density urban market and will feature a clean and modern upscale design with an inviting atmosphere instead of the traditional convenience store starkness. “We’re not trying to re-invent the convenience store or the organic/natural food concept, we’re trying to make it more accessible”, summarizes Ellisa.

According to the Natural Food Merchandiser, American shoppers spent more than $51 billion on natural and organic products in 2005. The market overview article pointed to several trends in the organic and natural food industry, including increased sales of natural products by 9.1 percent across all retail and direct to consumer sales channels. Organic food sales grew 15.7 percent overall, and the fastest growing segment of organic food products is in the organic fresh meat and seafood sales, which grew by more than 67.4 percent in 2005 to $114 million. Additionally, growth of more than 30 percent occurred in the organic nutrition bars, beer and wine and foodservice segments of the market.

This is good news for the organic food industry and organic food shoppers as a whole.

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