Buy organic
Conventionally grown cotton is responsible for as much as 10% of pesticide use in the world and up to 25% of insecticide use annually, according to Grist. The chemicals can impact workers and leach into the groundwater. Because the United States produces more cotton than all countries except China, much of this is on our soil.

Next, ask about the processing method for cotton, wool, and other fabrics. Look for those that use natural dyes and avoid chlorine bleaching. Organic Consumers estimates that 1/3lb of chemicals are used in the production of a cotton T-shirt, so buying secondhand comes second to buying a product that avoids the conventional cycle.
 
Image: CreativeCommons/Cosmic Kitty

Buy and sell secondhand
Organic clothing can be (but is not always) more expensive than its counterpart. Buying your major cotton items like socks and basics in organic cottons still leaves a wardrobe to fill. Secondhand stores range from kids and babies to high end, giving you plenty of options to take in your own clothes and receive credit towards shopping, all without spending more (hopefully) or contributing to additional clothing production. Most stores buy with the immediate need in mind, so select items that are seasonally appropriate and turn them in clean and neatly ironed. Fixing small faults, like a button, can make the item more likely to be accepted.
 
Recycle or donate
As colder weather sets in and a shabby looking jacket appears from the closet, first look into donating to a store like Goodwill. If it’s too beat up or broken, call the company and ask about their recycling program. Many clothing companies, especially outdoor companies, have a system for recycling their high performance fabrics. At Patagonia, if something on the garment has failed such as a zipper, they’ll replace it with a new one for free.
 
Logos to look for: 1% For the Planet, Green America’s Business Seal of Approval

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