Apparel Suppliers Offer Eco-friendly Options

New York-based Anvil Knitwear has announced AnvilRecycled T-shirts. The shirts are made from a pre-consumer recycled cotton blend and come in nine colors in sizes XS through 4XL. AnvilRecycled T-shirts will be available starting Spring 2008.

The primary components of AnvilRecycled T-shirts are the clippings that are created when making other shirts. Clippings are then sorted by color and chopped into a fine, linty material. The chopped material is spun into yarn, which is then used to produce the recycled cotton T-shirts.

The simplified manufacturing process used to created AnvilRecycled T-shirts is good for the environment because it reduces energy and resource use, according to the company. By reprocessing pre-consumer textile scraps into consumer-ready shirts, Anvil is able to reduce incinerator and landfill waste. The dying process is also eliminated because the textile clippings are color blended.

Philadelphia-based Bodek and Rhodes recently announced the introduction of private-label organic cotton apparel, UltraClub Organic. UltraClub Organic is now available in long and short-sleeve ring-spun tees and coordinating men’s and ladies’ polo shirts.

Nearly one-quarter of the world’s pesticides are used on just one crop: non-organic cotton. Organic cotton is grown without any toxic chemicals. The company also introduced “Organic Theater,” an educational presentation that will be played at every major trade show the company attends in 2008. It is aimed at helping customers understand organic cotton products, and clocks in at just eight minutes. For more information, visit www.BodekandRhodes.com.