Organic…or Not?
- How do you know the label tells the truth?
You’ve found it: the to-die-for dress you’ve been looking for!
It’s sexy, comfortable and fits like a dream. The color sets off your eyes. And to top it all off, it’s organic! Or at least it’s labeled that way…
The truth is it’s hard to know.
The Hot Green Trend
Suddenly everyone’s interested in sustainability. We want recycled this, organic that. Green’s the word.
You know what that means to business?
Money!
Green is hot. It sells. Companies are falling all over themselves to get in on the action. Many – perhaps most – of them are reputable, and truly do their best to make sure they’re selling the real thing.
Unfortunately, there are always a few bad apples in the bunch who care about nothing but profits.
How can you be sure the clothes you buy really are organic?
Eco-Certification
The problem with the word “organic” is that it doesn’t quite mean the same thing worldwide. Even within one organization, the word ”organic” may take on different meanings.
For example, according to US law, only items containing 95% or more organic content may be labeled “organic.” But if something contains as little as 70% organic content, it may be labeled “made with organic ingredients.”
The best way to be sure the clothes you buy really are organic is to look for evidence of certification. Various organic certifying bodies exist, some government-run, some private. Each may have slightly different requirements, but in general items carrying organic certification are grown without the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers.
Your best bet to be sure you’re getting the real thing is to become familiar with the various organic certifications, such as the ones listed here:
US Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program
In addition, there are scores of other national and regional certifying organizations. When possible, hold off on buying that fabulous garment if you have any doubts. Checking it out may take a little time, but it’s worth it to know that your clothes are truly organic.
