Alternative Fibre Clothing

Bamboo
Bamboo fibre clothing is a green alternative as the bamboo can be harvested every 5-6 years, regrows directly from the roots (making re-planting unnecessary) and requires minimal to no fertilization or pesticides.

In addition bamboo fibre clothing is naturally anti-microbial and requires no harmful chemicals during processing.

Possible concerns: Some bamboo fabric is actually a bamboo/cotton blend that is less environmentally friendly. Cotton (unless organic) has serious negative environmental implications due to the amount of pesticides used.

There are no factories or facilities in North America that extract fiber from bamboo. Therefore all bamboo used in the production of clothing must be grown and processed overseas (negative environmental implications due to transportation).

Dyes are toxic chemicals, and their use and disposal has harmful effects on the environment. Look for bamboo clothing that is un-dyed.

Ottawa-area retailers of bamboo clothing include: Nighties:
 * Karma Wear

Socks:
 * Karma Wear

Tops:
 * Karma Wear

T-shirts:
 * Arbour Environmental Shoppe

Non-local Suppliers

Hemp
Hemp is an environmentally friendly fibre as its manufacture does not require the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers and uses very little water. It has minimal growth requirements and is a renewable resource.

In addition hemp fibre clothing has three times the tensile strength of cotton, and is therefore strong and longlasting.

As an added benefit, hemp fibre clothing is UV and mold-resistant

Possible concerns:

Sometimes hemp is blended with silk to make a softer, more flowing fabric. This of course is not a vegan product.

Hemp that is blended with cotton is less environmentally friendly as cotton consumes far more resources than hemp.

China, the world's leading producer of hemp fabric, uses chemical methods for processing hemp, while producers in Europe have begun using cleaner biologically-based enzyme technology.

Dyes are toxic chemicals, and their use and disposal has harmful effects on the environment. Look for un-dyed hemp clothing.

Ottawa-area retailers of hemp clothing include: Blouses:
 * Karma Wear

Dresses:
 * Arbour Environmental Shoppe
 * Karma Wear

Pants:
 * Arbour Environmental Shoppe
 * Karma Wear

Skirts:
 * Arbour Environmental Shoppe
 * Karma Wear

Socks:
 * Arbour Environmental Shoppe

T-Shirts:
 * Arbour Environmental Shoppe

Non-local Suppliers

Organic Cotton
No toxins or synthetic fertilizers are used. Organic cotton is produced without the use of harsh chemical bleaches or dyes, and is allergy free.

Possible concerns: As with the other alternative fabrics, colored dyes are also a problem with organic cotton clothing. All dyes are toxic chemicals, and their use and disposal has harmful effects on the environment. Look for org. coloured cotton clothing that is grown "on the stem" or undyed organic cotton clothing.

Ottawa-area retailers of organic cotton clothing include: Baby: Children: Hoodies: Jackets: Pants: Polo Shirts/Casual shirts: Shorts: Skirts: Socks: Sport tops: T-shirts: Tank Tops: Underwear:
 * American Apparel
 * Arbour Environmental Shoppe
 * Mountain Equipment Co-op
 * American Apparel
 * Mountain Equipment Co-op
 * Cotton Ginny
 * American Apparel
 * Cotton Ginny
 * Mountain Equipment Co-op
 * Mountain Equipment Co-op
 * Cotton Ginny
 * Mountain Equipment Co-op
 * Cotton Ginny
 * Mountain Equipment Co-op
 * Mountain Equipment Co-op
 * American Apparel
 * Cotton Ginny
 * Mountain Equipment Co-op
 * Roots
 * American Apparel
 * Cotton Ginny
 * American Apparel (women's only)

Non-local Suppliers