When it comes to protecting the environment‚ your choices matter. If you're reading this‚ you probably already realize that many decisions you make in your everyday life can make a positive difference for the planet. Maybe you've decided to buy local organic produce‚ ride your bike to work‚ or donate to protect local wetlands. Or maybe you're just starting to think "green" and want to explore your eco-friendly options.
Good for you! But environmentally responsible choices are not just about organic foods and carbon footprints. They can be as simple as the eco-friendly shirt on your back. More and more clothing manufacturers now offer environmentally responsible clothing and products for an array of activities.
The term "eco-conscious" is defined as "showing concern for the environment." So it follows that in order for a product to be eco-conscious‚ it should be made using eco-friendly materials and processes that mitigate our impact on the planet. Luckily‚ there are plenty of non-threatening natural fibers and green fabrics used to make superior eco products‚ from organic clothing and shoes to eco-conscious outdoor gear. Organic cotton clothing is gaining in popularity‚ as are green products made of hemp‚ TENCEL®‚ and even recycled polyester.
Sierra Trading Post carries many eco-conscious products‚ and we've created this guide to help you navigate through the sea of green options.
Sierra Trading Post's Eco-Conscious Products
Many products offered at Sierra Trading Post contain one or more of the eco-conscious materials or fabrics described below. Each of these products displays the words "Eco-Conscious" and/or the following green symbol:
When you see the words "Eco-Conscious" or this logo with a product at Sierra Trading Post (either online or in a catalog), you know you're looking at an eco-conscious product that contains some percentage of eco-friendly fabric or material. Shop all Eco-Conscious products.
Eco-Conscious Materials: Benefits & Drawbacks
| Eco-Conscious Material/ Fabric | Benefits (+) | Potential Drawbacks (-) |
| Organic Cotton | Renewable, biodegradable,
non-toxic, comfortable | Often more expensive
than regular cotton |
| Hemp | Renewable, fast-growing,
pesticide free | Must be imported into U.S. |
| Organic Wool | Biodegradable, renewable,
warm when wet | Can be expensive and
hard to find |
| Recycled Polyester | Lowers demand for oil,
less waste, warm when wet | Sometimes expensive; inefficient
methods for obtaining quality fibers |
| TENCEL®/ Lyocell | Biodegradable, comfortable,
rich color, stronger than cotton | Chemical processing required |
| Soy Fiber | Renewable, biodegradable,
soft, durable | Usually more expensive,
chemical processing required |
| Jute | Biodegradable, recyclable,
fast growing, versatile | Rough and coarse good for rugs
and bags, but not clothing |
| Modal | Biodegradable, rich color,
very soft and absorbent | Requires chemical processing |
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Organic Cotton
Regular cotton is responsible for over one-quarter of the world's insecticide-pesticide use, due to its popularity and low insect resistance.
Organic cotton, however, is grown in soil that is certified free of chemical fertilizers and pesticides for at least three years. Not only does organic cotton clothing protect the earth, but it also protects your skin by preventing irritating exposure to unnecessary chemicals. Any clothing or products made from cotton can be made better with organic cotton, because organic cotton is every bit as soft as traditional cotton.
+ Renewable, non-toxic, comfortable, biodegradable
- Tends to be more expensive than regular cotton
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Hemp
Hemp, an extremely tough natural fiber, is once again gaining popularity in the clothing industry due to its extreme eco-usefulness. It's no secret that natural hemp is a wonder fiber -- the Declaration of Independence was printed on hemp paper and George Washington's clothing was even made out of it. Hemp is eco-friendly, sustainable and much easier to grow (without the use of pesticides) than cotton. Cotton fields account for over 25% of America’s pesticide use; hemp fields don't even register on the scale.
Hemp has many uses, is easily renewable and highly versatile. Green clothing made from hemp can be as soft as the softest cotton flannel, as sturdy as denim, and as flowing as linen. More and more apparel companies are turning to hemp to green their clothing collections.
+ Renewable, fast-growing, pesticide free (generally)
- Not grown in the U.S.
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Organic Wool
While all wool clothing is usually a good choice for the environment, certified organic wool clothing goes a few steps further. Organic wool products only use wool from sheep or goats that have not received synthetic hormones, and that live only on organic feed. The pastureland that the animals are raised on must also meet rigid guidelines to protect the land from overuse.
+ Biodegradable, renewable
- Can be expensive, somewhat rare
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Recycled Polyester/ PET
Do you appreciate the benefits of synthetic clothing fabrics, but hate what they're made of? Your best choice is probably recycled polyester or PET (polyethylene terephthalate) clothing. Patagonia was the first outdoor clothing company to offer products made of recycled polyester; they recycle old plastic soda bottles to create their Capilene® and select fleece clothing. You'd be surprised at how soft and comfortable recycled soda bottles can be when Patagonia gets through with them!
The use of recycled polyester for clothing and other products lessens our need for oil, reduces waste (and the toxins required to burn it), and produces less pollution than when starting off with virgin polyester. Many companies are beginning to use recycled polyester in a multitude of products – everything from clothing to rugs and outerwear.
+ Less dependence on oil, less landfill waste, benefits of synthetic fibers
- Expensive, non-biodegradable
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TENCEL®/Lyocell
TENCEL® is an innovative, fairly new fabric with tremendous eco potential. Made from plant cellulose (usually wood pulp), lyocell or TENCEL is manufactured with environmentally friendly processes and is an extremely strong, yet soft, fiber with many uses. Like hemp, TENCEL can be as soft as silk, as flowing as linen, and as warm as wool. It offers the ultimate in warm-weather comfort because it readily absorbs moisture. Used in many green products, the flowing and soft properties of TENCEL make it ideal for use in clothing and bedding.
+ Biodegradable, comfortable, color rich, stronger than cotton
- Requires chemicals and extensive processing to obtain fibers
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Soy Fiber
Soy is a renewable resource and a byproduct of the food industry. Touted by some as "vegetable cashmere," soy clothing is rarer than organic cotton clothing, which makes it more expensive, too.
While some soy fibers are organic, others are not. The organic soy fibers are greener than those from traditionally grown soybeans, yet all soy fibers are typically better for the environment than most traditional fabrics. Soft and smooth with a silky luster, soy is the new "it" fiber of the eco-conscious clothing industry. Just expect to pay a little more when you do find it, as it isn't widely available.
+ Renewable, biodegradable, soft and durable
- Can be expensive, chemical processing required
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Jute
The jute plant only takes 4-5 months to reach maturity, which makes it highly sustainable and quickly renewable. Jute is 100% biodegradable and recyclable. Jute fibers can be woven into gorgeous rugs, mats, accessories, luggage, packaging and even eco-conscious clothing with a naturally golden, silky luster. Jute is widely available for use as both a green textile and a non-textile, and is second only to cotton in the amount grown and the many ways it can be used.
+ Biodegradable, recyclable, fast growing, versatile
- Rough, coarse texture
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Modal
Made with reconstituted cellulose from beech trees, modal is a luxuriously soft and extravagant eco-friendly fabric. 100% biodegradable, this bio-based green fabric is 50% more water-absorbent than cotton, but it dyes just as well, holds color fast, and is resistant to fading. Like lyocell, however, modal may require extensive processing to convert the wood pulp to usable fibers.
Modal is often used in towels, bathrobes and linens, while its silky smooth cousin, MicroModal®, is used in intimates and apparel worn close to the skin. You have to feel MicroModal to believe it − it's that soft!
+ Biodegradable, absorbent, very soft
- Requires chemical processing
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Any Recycled Products
Companies are getting more creative with their recycled products and clothing lines. It seems that just about anything can be recycled into something usable. If you're looking for a product that's truly eco-friendly, you can't go wrong with recycled goods. Along with recycled polyester, Sierra Trading Post also sells green-leaning items made from recycled paper, rubber and wood. Some footwear brands even use recycled rubber tires – complete with the original tread – to make outsoles for their shoes. The list of green products with recycled content will no doubt continue to grow as innovations are made in the industry.
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Final Note
Our buying guide to eco-conscious products is a great place to start thinking green, but there are many other ways to be an earth-friendly shopper. Purchasing name brand products that will stand the test of time, for example, is extremely important. The eco-conscious clothing, outdoor gear and footwear sold at Sierra Trading Post is made to last and backed by some of the best brands available. This alone reduces waste and pollution by minimizing the need for replacement items.
Check out our Environmental Statement to see the green policies at Sierra Trading Post.
Our Guarantee
100% customer satisfaction, guaranteed!
If for any reason you are unsatisfied with your product, feel free to send it back for a full product refund or exchange. Our goal is to provide the best possible care and service for you. No hassle, no fuss − just send it back to us! We'll take care of the rest. With the UPS return service label, your refund is processed immediately, getting you the value you deserve.
Please read our Return Policy.
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