The newest concept in the world of fashion is eco-friendly garments. We can see a rapid increase in the usage of sustainable fabrics and tapping of natural resources like jute, hemp and cane.

From garments to accessories, eco friendly products are a welcome alternative that are designed to work in harmony with nature. When you purchase a product that is organic, recycled or produced in an environmentally-friendly manner, you have helped create a demand for alternative products.

Eco-friendly clothing is very pertinent with the changes around us on a global front. With more and more people appreciating the importance of a “green” earth, one is making an effort to adopt everything that reduces global warming and provides a breather to depleting natural recourses. Organic and recycled clothing are nice ways to treat the earth in a friendly manner.

Eco-friendly clothing is not only a positive step towards saving the environment, but also easy on the skin. These fabrics breathe better. Being chemical free, they help curb various skin ailments caused by synthetic and chemically-treated fabrics earlier. Most of us are not even aware of how the earth is affected due to use of synthetic and chemically treated fabrics. By consciously avoiding such kinds of fabrics, we can help save the degrading natural resources. We must try and use garments made of natural and fair trade materials like soy, organic cotton, bamboo, and leather alternatives. Such clothing and accessories are eco-conscious as well as socially responsible. Let us understand a few basics of eco friendly materials. Bamboo fabric is created from the bamboo pulp. It does not need chlorine to bleach it and it can be dyed easily with minimal water requirements. Fabrics that do not dye easily are often treated with harsh chemicals and much more water, so organic fabrics that dye easy are better for the environment.

Organic cotton is much more environmentally friendly than the traditional variety as it uses no pesticides, herbicides, or insecticides during the growing cycle. With the level of awareness today, more and more farmers are being encouraged to grow organic cotton. Though it is more expensive than ordinary cotton, farmers are being given incentives to grow this crop. This, in turn, helps the cause of ecological balance.

Recycled fleece is another important fabric. It surely has several benefits. Benefits include lessening of our dependence on oil (foreign oil), reduces discarded clothing, and is generally thought to create less air, water and soil contamination. When polyester garments reach a landfill where they are incinerated, they create toxic emissions that pollute the air.

Major sources for recycled polyester are discarded plastic bottles. These, if not treated correctly, create havoc on the environment. But at the same time, if the correct measures are taken, plastic can be recycled to create fibres, which are then used to make various household products.

Several NGOs have also undertaken the job of reducing plastic usage, recycling it and educating the masses about its proliferation. In a nutshell, I feel we need to be aware of this problem and take a conscious and informed decision to go green.

The writer is a fashion designer and artist