Organic Fashion and the Leisure Wear Industry

The leisure wear industry is littered with stories of unethical and unsustainable practices from the sweat shops to the use of high performance materials using polyester a petrol derivative that is produced using an energy hungry process. There is some good news though, many sports and leisure wear companies are begining to make changes.

Nike has committed to blending organic cotton into its mainstream products – by 2010 the company claims its entire range of cotton clothes will contain 5% organic cotton, and has begun to incorporate recycled polyester into the rest. Pentland Group (who own Berghaus and Ellesse) is a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative and Adidas AG, ASICS corporation, Nike Inc., Patagonia, Puma AG and Umbro are all members of the Fair Labor Association. The Fairtrade association limits 48 hours a week with 12 hours overtime, except in “extraordinary circumstances”.

Other alternative for eco friendly and ethical sports and leisure wear is Bamboo. Bamboo is particularly good for sports wear due to it’s comfort and wicking properties (absorbing sweat). Another ethical and eco friendly choice are outdoor specialists Paramo and Patagonia, both of which have very strong ethical and environmental credentials or companies that specialise in organic cotton such as Gossypium.

Picture - organic cotton vest by Gossypium

Further information can be found on the Ethical Consumer Buyers Guide to Sportswear