News
November 1, 2006
Barthlomew Sullivan, writing in yesterday's Commercial Appeal (Tennessee), reported that, "The president of the cotton producers' union in Burkina Faso has been meeting with U.S. officials and nongovernmental organizations since last week about correcting the price-distorting effects of U.S. cotton subsidies.
"Monday, he said all he is finding are excuses not to help.
"In an
Read more News
September 28, 2006
Alan Beattie reported in yesterday's Financial Times that, "Another casualty of the suspension of the Doha round of global trade talks could be the long-awaited reform of American farm subsidies. Reformers are worried that the absence of Doha as an incentive to change will tip the balance back towards the expensive and inefficient status quo."
Mr. Beattie noted also that, "Given how removed they now are from their original intent, American Read more
Mr. Beattie noted also that, "Given how removed they now are from their original intent, American Read more
Scientific Study
September 28, 2006
With India's indebted cotton farmers taking their own lives in ever increasing numbers after being ruined by expensive Bt seeds and other input costs, here's an eye catching study on organic cotton production in India.
Over a period of two years, an Indo-Swiss research team collected and compared agronomic data on 60 organic and conventional farms.
They found the organic producers benefitted from:
* 40% lower costs for inputs
* 13-20% lower variable production costs
* a far lower need to take up loans
* Read more
Over a period of two years, an Indo-Swiss research team collected and compared agronomic data on 60 organic and conventional farms.
They found the organic producers benefitted from:
* 40% lower costs for inputs
* 13-20% lower variable production costs
* a far lower need to take up loans
* Read more
News
September 27, 2006
"The big joke in the organic advocacy world is that one day we'll have
a shirt we can eat," says Rebecca Calahan-Klein, president of nonprofit
group Organic Exchange.
While you won't be eating your Brooks Brothers any time soon, the reference is apt: The apparel industry is following in the early footsteps of the food industry as it veered toward products made from certified organic materials farmed without chemicals. For the clothing business, the first big organic material is pesticide-free cotton, which promises to appeal to the same eco-friendly consumers already hooked on Read more
While you won't be eating your Brooks Brothers any time soon, the reference is apt: The apparel industry is following in the early footsteps of the food industry as it veered toward products made from certified organic materials farmed without chemicals. For the clothing business, the first big organic material is pesticide-free cotton, which promises to appeal to the same eco-friendly consumers already hooked on Read more
News
September 22, 2006
In Europe, pressure to have verifiable quality ratings recognized throughout the European Union has corporations working hard to obtain the ISOs necessary to sell their goods throughout the E.U. and keep pace with the competition, but with increasing numbers of suppliers located in developing, non-unionized countries, certifying sources and achieving anything close to socially responsible procurement is still a problem throughout the continent.
Since the 1990s, community groups have engaged in individual campaigns primarily aimed at boycotting both European and foreign Read more
Since the 1990s, community groups have engaged in individual campaigns primarily aimed at boycotting both European and foreign Read more
News
September 14, 2006
Surf's up, dude -- and so is action-sports apparel makers' interest in
alternative fabrics. (OK, that was a stretch.) Clothes made from
organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, and even recycled plastic bottles are
hitting the action-sports apparel market. Sustainability will
"definitely be the next big wave," says the oh-so-punny Don Brown of
Sole Technology, parent company of Etnies. Not so active but still want
to get gussied up in sustainable style? Scientists at the University of
Nebraska plan to develop apparel from chicken feathers and rice straw.
But you won't look like you just had a roll in Read more
News
September 18, 2006
Sales of organic cotton are set to triple to $2.6 billion at the end of 2008 from its current $900 million level as retailers and brands make significant new commitments to sustainable textile and apparel production.
Nike, Marks and Spencer, CO-OP, Patagonia, Timberland and Wal-Mart, which already sell organic lines; were joined by newcomers Reebok, C&A, Hennes & Mauritz, Target and Next at last week's Organic Exchange conference in The Netherlands, which attracted around 300 delegates.
"The organic cotton market is set to become a $1 billion industry. This is Read more
Nike, Marks and Spencer, CO-OP, Patagonia, Timberland and Wal-Mart, which already sell organic lines; were joined by newcomers Reebok, C&A, Hennes & Mauritz, Target and Next at last week's Organic Exchange conference in The Netherlands, which attracted around 300 delegates.
"The organic cotton market is set to become a $1 billion industry. This is Read more
News
September 13, 2006
New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine has announced that he will participate in a path-breaking governors' initiative to end sweatshop exploitation in apparel and other industries. Proposed by Governor John Baldacci of Maine, the Governors' Coalition for Sweatfree Procurement and Workers' Rights will use state government procurement as a catalyst to level the playing field for ethical businesses and advance justice for sweatshop workers.
In 2002, New Jersey Governor Mc Greevey issued an Executive Order for sweatfree state procurement to end taxpayer support for sweatshop abusers. The Read more
In 2002, New Jersey Governor Mc Greevey issued an Executive Order for sweatfree state procurement to end taxpayer support for sweatshop abusers. The Read more
News
September 18, 2006
In Da Strauss Levi Strauss will debut organic-cotton jeans Good old-fashioned Levi's jeans will become new-fashioned in November, when the company debuts Eco jeans. The denim dungarees will be organic cotton, naturally dyed, and U.S.-made -- and, like all too many eco-products, woefully expensive, with a hefty $250 price tag (printed on recycled paper with soy ink). Spent all your dough on, you know, food and stuff? Never fear! Levi Strauss is planning two follow-up lines: a $65 to $80 version will hit department stores in early 2007, and a $40 to $60 line will roll out next fall. These plain Read more
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