Clothes and other textiles
What are the problems?
Clothes and other textiles can affect the environment to varying
degrees throughout their life cycles.
Before textiles reach the
consumer, they have gone through many different chemical processes.
They may be treated with chemicals to dye them, make them more
hardwearing or wrinkle-resistant, or less flammable.
Some of these chemicals are
carcinogenic or may cause harm to children even before birth. Others
may trigger allergic reactions in some people. Some flame retardants
that are used in certain textiles contain organic bromine compounds
that are persistent (break down very slowly in the environment).
The use of some dangerous
chemicals in textiles is restricted: this applies to azo dyes and
formaldehyde, for example. But it is neither possible nor desirable
to restrict the use of all chemicals.
Worldwide, cotton production
is one of the forms of agriculture with the greatest environmental
impact. To grow cotton efficiently and profitably, the fields are
sprayed with large amounts of pesticides. The most serious effects
are seen in the areas where cotton is grown, but chemicals that
persist in the environment can also spread far and wide across the
globe.
What can you do?
A few manufacturers sell clothes and other textiles that are
ecologically produced. This means that steps have been taken to
reduce the environmental impact of the entire process from
cultivation to finished product.
If products are manufactured
in a way that reduces their environmental impact, they may be
eligible for eco-labelling. The first items of clothing carrying the
EU Flower are now available in Norwegian shops. Other textiles may
be labelled with the ØKO-tex label, which means that they do not
contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about the
ØKO-tex label.
The Nordic Swan
eco-labelling system also has standards for textiles, but so far
(autumn 2002) there have been no applications to have textile
products approved.
When you buy textiles, they
often contain residues of chemicals. Before using them for the first
time you should wash bedclothes and clothes that are worn next to
the skin in order to remove surplus chemicals.
Waste
If you buy good quality textiles, they will last longer. But
sooner or later they are discarded. Perhaps you can deliver clothes,
curtains, rugs etc. that you no longer have any use for to voluntary
organizations, flea markets or second-hand dealers.
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