green

Be Social Change Holds Series on the Future of Fashion

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Paper No. 9The final of a series of 3 gatherings on how to create a sustainable clothing future, the group Be Social Change sponsored a packed July lecture at Wix Lounge in NYC on future trends in fashion production. The panel of experts, moderated by Summer Rayne Oakes, author of “Style, Naturally,” focused on new people breaking into the business and how it can be difficult to do everything they’d like to do to be sustainable when first starting a business – but with a continued ethic, fashion companies can build up to include more green measures over time. They discussed product durability as a factor in sustainability, customization & 3D printing of clothing, banding together with like-minded others to reach target markets instead of competing, and standards for determining product sustainability levels. A very interesting textile featured was made from processed recycled paper. See Paper No. 9.

The Future of Fashion panelFind these panelists on Twitter:
@besocialchange
@paperNo9
@Sroakes
@Shethinx
@twinmiki
@haggarco
@rhoniball

Trashion Fashion with Skraptacular

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The lovely Dominique Drakeford and friends from Scraptacular at Earth Day, Union Square, NYC 2014
The lovely Dominique Drakeford and friends from Scraptacular at Earth Day, Union Square, NYC 2014

My friend Dominique Drakeford of Drake Natural has informed me of a fun and worthwhile organization that I want to share.

“Skraptacular is a grassroots, non-profit organization based in northern Manhattan. We inspire community and environmental awareness by teaching children how they can make the world cleaner and greener by transforming trash into art.” It educates about concepts of sustainability, waste reduction, and smart consumerism, while encouraging children’s creativity.

Founded by Michelle Del Guercio, Skraptacular recently celebrated its third anniversary and fundraiser “A Springing Affair,” and numerous activities for Earth Month. Coming up in May 2014 – two “Trashion” shows, one at the High Line on May 18th and one at the beautiful Brooklyn Grange on May 31st.

Skraptacular is always in need of craft items, funds, and volunteers. Visit their web site to get involved.

Greening Your Keurig Coffee (Part 2)

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Last post I mentioned 2 alternative ways to green up your Keurig coffee by avoiding disposable plastic k-cups. Here is a third alternative—a refillable BPA-free pod in which you use your own coffee grounds. When your coffee is ready, you just dump out the grounds in the garbage or use them for compost. Either way you reduce the plastic waste, and still get the convenience of a quick cup of coffee. Also works with teas. Available on Amazon.

mochamate2

 

New Year’s Resolution: Make Your Keurig Coffee Better for the Earth

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Terrace Cafe Biodegradable Kcups
Terrace Cafe Biodegradable Kcups

I just found a great new innovative product that can help you meet your new year’s resolution to be more green. Keurig coffee makers are convenient and offer a selection of individual coffees, teas and cocoa. However, a “side effect” of these machines is that millions of plastic coffee pods or “K-Cups” become waste in landfills or incinerators. Also the plastic used is often #7, which can be different types of plastic, some of which may contain the hormone disruptor Bisphenol A (BPA).

So to my pleasant surprise I just encountered an eco-friendly version of the Kcup, called Terrace Café Cups, made by a local New York company. It uses only a ring of plastic with a biodegradable filter.

Another alternative is to have a fully biodegradable pod, much like a tea bag, that you use with a washable pod holster that you use each time. These are made by several companies including New Hampshire Roasting Company.

Fill your cup with an organically grown beverage, and you are well on your way to being greener in 2014!

Eileen Fisher Rocks the Runway at Green Festival

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Eileen Fisher -- Green Festival NYC 2013
Eileen Fisher clothing is known for its simple, comfortable design. It is casual but stylish and high end, and can be found at well over 50 Eileen Fisher stores around the country. What makes it special is that the company is committed to using sustainable fabrics such as linen, hemp, and organic cotton. The company makes an effort to work with fair trade producers, and to use low impact dyes on many of its products.

At the Green Festival in NYC (April 2013), I had the pleasure of witnessing a fashion show of the Spring Collection. The best part was that the classic, chic designs were worn by real live eco fashionistas, such as Greta Eagen, Sass Brown, and Emma Grady, all who write about eco fashion. Each model explained why she chose her piece. Eileen Fisher also used the event to highlight its new clothing recycling campaign “We’d Like Our Clothes Back Now, Thanks Very Much.” For more, see eileenfisher.com.

Eco-Chick’s Sustainable Spring Fashion Party

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Fabulous eco fashion event last Thursday night at Green Spaces in NYC hosted by Starre Vartan from Eco-Chick.com, one of my favorite blogs.

Eco-Chick's Sustainable Spring Fashion Party
Eco-Chick’s Sustainable Spring Fashion Party | Photo by Rose Brook

50+ people came out to support sustainably-made clothing, mostly made right in NY, by designers including Elsa and Me, Feral Childe, Study NY, Sylvia Heisel, Carrie Parry, Auralis and others.

This conscious event included vegan and organic provisions, and generous goody bags filled with organic cotton socks by Pact, all-natural hand soap by Mrs. Meyer’s, and other green schwag.

Great to see so many new designers making beautiful clothing and accessories while keeping the planet in mind.