ColumnAs incandescent light bulbs are being phased out, compact fluorescent light bulbs are stepping in to take their place. But are CFLs really the most environmentally-friendly alternative?

Thomas Edison may have been on to something when he invented and popularized the modern incandescent light bulb in 1878. But 135 years later, the world is in desperate need of an environmentally-friendly upgrade. Enter, the compact fluorescent light bulb, or CFL.

CFLs have been on the market since the 1980s, but they didn’t enter the mainstream until President George W. Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which initiated the gradual phase-out of incandescent light bulbs on the U.S. market. The 100-watt bulb was discontinued in 2011, followed by the 75-watt bulb earlier this year. The 60- and 40-watt bulbs are slated to disappear in January 2014.

The law does not ban the use or purchase of incandescent bulbs, but it does require that new bulbs be 25 percent more energy efficient. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that consumers replace their old bulbs with ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs. But is that really the most environmentally-friendly alternative? This week’s Behind The Label investigates.

The Good

The higher cost of CFLs used to be prohibitive, but prices have fallen dramatically over the past few years. A recent online search found a four-pack of EcoSmart 9-Watt (60W) CFL Light Bulbs for $5.85 at Home Depot.

According to the EPA, an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL light bulb saves about $6 a year and $40 over its lifetime in electricity costs. Plus, a CFL uses about 75 percent less energy and heat than a traditional incandescent, which can save on home cooling costs. The icing on the cake? A CFL lasts at least six times longer than an incandescent bulb, which means less balancing on rickety stepstools to replace burnt-out bulbs.

And those are just the individual implications of switching to ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs. The EPA estimates that “if every American home replaced just one light bulb with a light bulb that’s earned the ENERGY STAR, we would save enough energy to light 3 million homes for a year, save about $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to those from about 800,000 cars.”

In addition, CFLs are free from tungsten, a mineral contained in the filament of most incandescent light bulbs. Tungsten is a known conflict mineral and its mining has funded violent armed rebel groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Bad

With its long list of energy- and cost-cutting characteristics, switching to CFL light bulbs should be a no-brainer. But there is a drawback: the presence of mercury, a toxic element that is particularly dangerous for small children and fetuses. Mercury can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption, and it can have serious effects on the nervous system. Continued exposure can lead to physical and psychological disorders, and even death.

The EPA says that the amount of mercury in a CFL is only about four milligrams – not enough to prevent them from being on the market, but enough for the EPA to recommend a cautionary multi-step clean-up process in the event of a breakage. When CFLs shatter in or near the home, the mercury within them can contaminate the air and soil. And when CFLs are improperly disposed of, there are broader implications.

“The problem with the bulbs is that they’ll break before they get to the landfill,” John Skinner, executive director of the Solid Waste Association of North America, told NPR. “They’ll break in containers, or they’ll break in a dumpster or they’ll break in the trucks. Workers may be exposed to very high levels of mercury when that happens.”

Wendy Reed, manager of the EPA’s ENERGY STAR program, admits that not enough has been done to make it easier for people to recycle CFL light bulbs. “I share your frustration that there isn’t a national infrastructure for the proper recycling of this product,” she told NPR.

Retail stores like Ace Hardware, Home Depot, IKEA, Lowe’s, and TrueValue are starting to launch CFL recycling programs, and some regions have municipal drop-off points. But the process of collecting, protecting, and transporting old CFLs to recycling centers can be burdensome, which means that more often than not, old bulbs end up in the garbage. Until now, such disposal hasn’t led to significant toxic waste issues. But as CFLs continue to proliferate, the U.S. will need a stronger strategy.

So what now?

Educate yourself on proper clean-up procedures.

The EPA recommends a multi-step approach to cleaning up a broken CFL. First, clear the room of people and pets. Turn off your central heating or air conditioning system and air out the room by opening a door or window. Scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard, then use tape to pick up the remaining fragments. Place everything in a sealed container and immediately place in an outdoor trash container. Continue to air out the room and leave off the heating or air conditioning system for several hours.

Research CFL recycling programs.

Use Earth911 to search for CFL collection schedules and drop-off locations near you. Retailers like Ace Hardware, Home Depot, IKEA, Lowe’s, and TrueValue offer in-store recycling programs, and other retailers are expected to follow suit as CFLs become more popular.

Install CFLs in hard-to-reach places.

Using CFLs in ceiling fixtures and other hard-to-reach places can greatly lower the risk of an accidental breakage. Be sure to lay a towel on the ground when installing the bulb, in case it falls.

Consider LEDs.

LED light bulbs tend to be more expensive than CFLs, but they offer more energy and cost savings over the long run. A 6-watt (40W) LED light bulb can cost as low as $10 and last up to 23 years, saving $94 over the bulb’s life. Plus, they don’t contain the added risk of mercury.

Images: Anton Fomkin, Kyle May

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The Hampton Toe Post Sandals from Dr. Andrew Weil are more than just foot cover, they’re true support for serious foot health. Find out for yourself if you’re one of 3 lucky EcoSalon readers to win a pair!

Five months into my pregnancy, my feet and ankles swelled to the size of rabbits. I had been traveling and it was hot and humid. Swollen ankles and feet are just par for the course in most pregnancies, too, my midwife told me.

The swelling abated after a few days and I was back to my daily 5-mile hike. But even though the swelling had subsided, I was now experiencing a whole lot of foot pain I hadn’t felt before. It was as if all that swelling had wreaked some havoc on my poor, expanding feet. Walking barefoot was almost unbearable.

Luckily, I had a pair of Hampton Toe Post Sandals from Dr. Andrew Weil that the company had sent me to try (I did not pay for the product and my opinions on the shoes are 100 percent my own). I’ve been a flip-flop lover for years, ever since I decided that most shoes were more akin to toe prisons than they were any meaningful indicator of style. I’d worn down several pairs of Havaiana’s over the years, quite content with their performance. But when I slipped my feet into the Hampton Toe Post Sandals, it was a totally different experience.

For one, they are much more form-fitted to the shape of my foot. Most flip-flops are totally flat. I have really high arches and they need support. Second, the soles are really buoyant and cushiony. It feels a little bit like walking on air. The recessed heel promotes a more natural step, which feels really right, especially now that my center of gravity is off due to my ever-expanding belly. I also love the quality of the toe straps. Most flops are made of a strip of plastic that can irritate the skin. The Hampton Toe Post Sandal is soft canvas and less prone to breaking off from the base (which is how I’ve lost many flip flops. RIP). These are flip flop sandals I’m not afraid to wear out of the house, either. They’re substantial in their support whereas other flip flops only felt appropriate in the house or at the beach. These are my go-to sandals for the summer.

It’s really no surprise the sandals are so comfy. Designed by leading Australian podiatrist, Phillip Vasyli, and recommended by Dr. Andrew Weil, the biomechanical orthotic footbed of the Hampton Toe Post Sandal supports feet and helps realign the lower legs, reducing over-pronation and associated aches and pains. And at just $66.99, you’re not only getting a great pair of sandals for the summer, you’re getting incredible support that feels fantastic.

Want to win a pair? All you have to do is sign up for the EcoSalon newsletter! We’ll select 3 winners at random to win a pair. [Note: the sandals are available in whole sizes. If you are between sizes, it's recommended to order down to the next smallest whole size (i.e. someone who wears a size 8.5 should order an 8).]

Enter here by June 30^th for your chance to win!

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

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America’s got a cigarette butt problem. A big one.

We’re talking about cigarette butts — the shriveled little bits of flicked cigs that are creating a not-so-little problem for our environment. “World No Tobacco” day, which was on May 31, prompted us to examine smoking’s environmental impact.

What’s that? You just saw a cigarette butt sail from a car window? Lodged in a sidewalk crack? Chances are you’re not alone; cigarette butts are far and away the most littered item in the world, with roughly 4.5 trillion being tossed each year. The lobbying group American for Nonsmokers’ Rights (ANR) reported that 1.69 billion pounds of butts ended up as toxic waste last year. That’s like the weight of 177,895 endangered African elephants, or 555,555 Toyota Prius automobiles, or. . . well, you get the idea. That’s a lot of junk in our collective trunk.

But cigarette butts aren’t just a punch line for bad puns — they present a serious hazard to our natural world.

The butt itself is comprised of two parts: A plastic filter and the remnants of the used tobacco. While the leftover tobacco is by definition biodegradable, the filters are made from a plastic called cellulose acetate, a compound that eventually breaks down but never disappears. Ever. Combine that with the roughly 4,000 chemicals found in cigarettes, and you’ve got the recipe for a pretty awful eco-aftertaste.

This doesn’t stop our wildlife from sampling the local cuisine. Birds and dogs often pick at the bite-sized waste, and marine animals like fish can ingest cigarette butts that wash into nearby lakes, rivers, and oceans. If the poisons don’t claim their lives first, a predator or a commercial fishery might, setting into motion a complexly destructive cycle in our food chain.

Toxins: They’re what’s for dinner.

This waste tears at the people-planet relationship in other ways, too; fires caused by cigarettes take the lives of more than 900 people in the U.S. every year. These fires amount to nearly $6 billion in annual human and property costs. Needless to say, it’s costly to have large (numbers of) butts.

So what’s a concerned derrière dissenter to do? Fortunately, there are many nonprofit organizations designed to raise public awareness of cigarette butt waste. You can find a local Sierra Club volunteer chapter that’s committed to keeping our streets, beaches, and oceans clean.

The easiest way to make a difference? Don’t litter in the first place — find a designated waste bin for your cigarette. Even better, don a pair of work gloves and organize a trash pick-up day with your friends. Discarded cigarettes might be small, but only our individual efforts will keep the issue from getting any bigger.

And, trust us: That’s a big but. - Davis Jones

This article appears courtesy of Sierra Magazine

Image: waferboard

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Dutch company Dyecoo (which literally stands for dyeing with CO2) has developed a revolutionary textile dyeing machine that uses carbon dioxide in place of water.

It is estimated that an average 40 gallons of water is used to dye about 2.5 pounds of textile material. More than 60 billion pounds of textiles are dyed annually, making the textile industry one of the thirstiest in the world, as water is used as a solvent in many textile treatment and finishing processes. But our freshwater resources are drying up, necessitating the search for realistic alternatives. That’s where Dyecoo steps in with a textile dyeing method where carbon dioxide takes center stage, completely eliminating H20 from the picture.

The Dyecoo process is revolutionary in terms of its environmental impact. Compared to water-based dyeing, carbon dioxide textile dyeing uses no chemicals (eliminating toxic chemical leaching into waterways and soil), requires no drying time and is twice as fast,  hence requiring much less energy. Although the technology is currently utilized for polyester, the development of CO2 dyes for natural fibers and other petro-chemical textiles is underway.

So how can you possibly eliminate water from a dyeing process? By creatively researching and manipulating chemical components. The scientists at Dyecoo explain that when carbon dioxide is heated and pressurized to a certain point, it exists in both gas and liquid forms. This means that in its liquid state the CO2 can dissolve dyes, while its gaseous state its viscous and diffusive properties allow for even dispersal of dyes and shorter dyeing times when compared to water. Dyeing with carbon dioxide is much more efficient than dyeing with water as it is quicker and doesn’t involve drying since the gaseous CO2 is released at the end of the process. Up to 90 percent of the released and recaptured CO2 can be recycled as all of the dyeing takes place in one machine.

Although the concept of waterless dyeing has undergone research for the last three decades, only in the last five years have scalable machines for industrial use been developed. Dyecoo has managed to attract textile manufacturers worldwide with its new machine and process, as the cost savings are an important driver for factory owners and stakeholders. Nike is the largest apparel manufacturer thus far to have announced a strategic partnership with Dyecoo, which it announced in 2012 in an effort to drive the technology throughout the industry. It is hoped that the technology will be widely adopted in Asia, where most of the world’s most pollutive textile dyeing occurs.

Image: nrdc_media

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Carbon dioxide levels on Earth have reached an all-time high. Are we making a new planet? Can we live on it?

Sitting in a packed theater on opening weekend of “Man of Steel,” I couldn’t help notice the similarities between Earth and Krypton, Superman’s home planet (I won’t ruin the movie for you, I promise. The 40 unnecessary minutes of excessive violence will do that for you). Dissension, manipulation of resources, and Krypton’s caste system on par with our economic apartheid, mirror some of Earth’s biggest crises of late. No doubt the parallels weren’t coincidental.

Krypton is clearly in trouble, facing a fate that can’t be avoided, as we know from previous Superman films (or comics, if you have the time for that sort of reading). A highly advanced culture couldn’t figure out how to harness unlimited energy from its star, and, well, poor Kal-El was sent off into the universe orphaned by the devolving stubbornness of his people.

If only we could set a course for another, more hospitable planet.

But we can’t. And we’re not doing this one any favors lately, either, reports Business Insider: “[C]arbon dioxide levels in Earth’s atmosphere reached a major milestone: a daily average above 400 parts per million. The new high — the highest in human history — was recorded at two separate stations — one in Hawaii and the other in San Diego, California.” That’s a 22 point increase in ten years. And nearly a 200 point jump in the last 200 years, since the dawn of the industrial revolution. Since then, carbon dioxide levels have increased steadily, about two parts per million every year. The website 350.org says the “safe level” for carbon dioxide in the air is 350 parts per million.

If you’re not sure what the big deal is, expert Bob Ward of the London School of Economics and Political Science said it’s creating a “prehistoric” climate situation, in which “human societies will face huge and potentially catastrophic risks.”

According to the EPA, carbon dioxide accounted for 84 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in 2011. While naturally present in the environment, the majority of “problem” carbon dioxide comes from burning fossil fuels (coal, gas, oil). It traps heat, which is actually a good thing in small doses (it makes the planet, and particularly Los Angeles, pretty hospitable), but in these unprecedented levels, it contributes to global warming, impacting all life on the planet.

The continual rise in CO₂ levels could lead to more melting of ice sheets and higher levels of methane gas from permafrost melt. Climate scientist Michael Mann told the Huffington Post that these types of CO₂ levels haven’t been sustained in more than 10 million years (during the Miocene period). And while we may not care if a few species here or there die off (we lose about 0.1 percent of all species per year), many of them impact our own species as well. You see, all life is connected. And when we start killing off any one of us Earthlings, we inevitably create problems for all the rest of us, too.

We’re already seeing the consequences of greenhouse gases (despite what conservatives tell you). Like Krypton, we’re also becoming keenly aware of the issues we’ve created with digging too deep into the planet for energy. And, sadly, while the chances of a (really, really hot) superhero coming to save our planet are pretty slim, we could sure use some superstrength right now in helping us evolve out of our dependence on industry and mined energy. In that respect, we can all don our capes and adjust our energy consumption, seeing fossil fuels as the villains they truly are.

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

Image: hiperterminal

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Artist-inspired and eco-friendly wallpaper designs are opening up a whole new world in home decor.

Wallpaper used to be synonymous with the words stuffy and fussy. I remember those days…we had colonial-themed wallpaper in the living room and in the kitchen. I am so glad it’s no longer 1985 and we have so many more wallpaper and wall covering choices that are not our parent’s wallpapers!

In fact, in the past decade or so, there’s been quite a resurgence in wallpaper and many artists and designers are creating their own lines of unique, elegant and gorgeous wallpaper designs from which to choose. And, there are also many more eco-friendly choices available too.

It’s actually important to note that wallpaper doesn’t actually have to be just for walls. It can also be used to decoupage furniture or used as artwork in and of itself–especially when it’s designed by an artist. Also, when many people think of wallpaper they think of that floor to ceiling wallpaper look. While that may be appropriate in some cases and for some spaces, sometimes less is more when wallpaper is used as a decorative accent or to highlight an architectural feature.

If you still aren’t convinced that wallpaper is worth all the work? These artist and designer wallpapers just might have you singing a different tune–and making your way to the hardware store for wallpapering supplies!

1. French Dot by Nama Rococo

Image: Nama Rococo

Ooh la la! Très chic! This stunning, multicolored, variable and hand-painted wallpaper by artist Karen Combs is available in multiple sheets or single sheets. Perfect for creating a dramatic look.

2. Wallpaper Boudoir by Lisa Bengtsson

Image: Lisa Bengtsson

While this flowery design might be reminiscent of wallpaper’s flowery past, it’s boldness is totally modern. It’s like a combination of pop art and rococo!

3. Triangles by Lisa Congdon

Image: Lisa Congdon

For something a little different, but no less gorgeous, how about Lisa Congdon’s Triangles wallpaper? It’s available in rolls and in removable tiles in several different colorways.

4. A View of the Woods by JUJU Papers

Image: JUJU Papers

A simple yet lovely wallpaper from artist Avery Thatcher. Each roll is hand painted in Portland, Oregon and is available in 4 different colors.

5. Morning in Manhattan from Famille Summerbelle

Image: Famille Summerbelle

Available in Sky Blue or Hudson River, this non woven paper is designed by Julie Marabelle. This would be perfect for a home office or studio.

6. Little Owl & Crossbill by Edwyn Collins at The Collection

Image: The Collection

Illustrated  by alternative singer-songwriter Edwyn Collins, who after suffering a stroke some years ago creates beautiful bird drawings every day. Produced by Ellie Pop and available in black & white and sepia.

7. Dinner Party by Jill Malek

Image: Jill Malek

Inspired by coffee rings, this stunning repeat pattern pattern from Jill Malek is available in four color combinations, comes in rolls and is hand-printed in upstate New York.

8. Seascape by Abigail Edwards

Image: Alun Callender

Featuring a black & white line drawing of roiling and boiling waves, this paper is produced on 100 percent renewable-sourced Forest Stewardship Council certified paper. It’s printed in the UK and available in rolls.

Top Image: Marimekko paper at John Lewis

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Sir Richard Branson has always had a reputation for pushing the boundaries and doing things differently. Recently, he made his mark again, by partnering Virgin Atlantic with renowned fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, to bring sustainable style to the skies.

In only the fourth upgrade to the uniform in over 30 years, Westwood was asked to reinterpret the signature red looks, as part of a collaboration that will run for a decade and follow a decidedly eco-friendly theme.

The uniforms themselves, inspired by 1940s French couture and futuristic looks, will be made from a selection of eco-friendly, recycled and recyclable fabrics, and will be worn by the more than 7,500 Virgin employees. Even the ground staff will enjoy a collection of bags made from unusual materials including discarded roadside banners and recycled brass. These materials are being sourced in Nairobi through the Ethical Africa Program in collaboration with the International Trade Centre.

Virgin Atlantic is also developing all items with closed loop recycling in mind. This new technology takes worn polyester clothing and turns it back into fibers that can be woven again into new fabrics and in turn new clothing.

Westwood and Branson may seem an unlikely pair, but they were first introduced in 1977 by Westwood’s ex-husband, Malcolm McLaren, who Branson knew from signing his band The Sex Pistols, to his label. When it came time to revamp the Virgin Atlantic uniforms, Branson told Vogue UK, “The one person in this world who could create unique designs is Vivienne. So it’s great to be working with her. What we don’t want to do is work with anyone who comes up with a design and just dumps it on the cabin crew. It’s glamorous, it’s stylish.”

A world famous fashion designer in her own right, Westwood has also recently become a campaigner in the fight against climate change. Back in 2005, she set up the Active Resistance Project to encourage engagement with environmental and humanitarian issues. She also designed a t-shirt for the Environmental Justice Foundation for a campaign to support climate refugees. She has made generous personal donations to the climate cause and not that long ago, unveiled her new manifesto entitled ‘Do It Yourself’, which suggests that fashion should be less about the ‘throw away’ philosophy and more about recycling, quality and utilizing key pieces.

In the official press release about the partnership, Westwood said, “My clothes have always got a very strong dynamic rapport with the body- they are very body conscious, they help you to look glamorous, more hourglass, more woman. I design things to help people to hopefully express their personality. I am always trying to find fabrics that are more friendly to the environment – working with Virgin Atlantic they managed to research into this and find more eco fabrics.”

The women’s outfits includes a waist-cinching jacket and pencil skirt, with the men’s look being a three piece Savile Row inspired suit in rich burgundy wool.

Although the full collection won’t be formally launched until next year, some Virgin staff will be trialling the new looks, so keep your eyes peeled!

Images: ausbt

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Here are five feet-friendly products and tips that will give you healthy feet that feel soft, fresh, and pretty during the season that needs them to be so most.

In the summer, we don flip flops and open-toe shoes, revealing our feet to the sun, outdoor elements, and the occasional bump or scratch. Needless to say, just like in winter, when feet are smothered in boots and unable to breathe, summer-time feet face their own challenges.

For most of us, summer means we spend most of our time in the open air, with lighter and scanter clothing that exposes our skin. Our feet are no exception. In the summer, we don flip flops and open-toe shoes, revealing our feet to the sun, outdoor elements, and the occasional bump or scratch. Needless to say, just like in winter, when feet are smothered in boots and unable to breathe, summertime feet face their own challenges. Here are five feet-friendly products and tips that will keep feet soft, fresh, and pretty during the season that needs them to be so most.

1. Use a Foot File

A foot file is the most basic tool to have around to soften rough, dry heels. They run for about $10, give or take, but will make a dramatic difference in the appearance and texture of your feet. Use a foot file when feet are dry and shower or apply lotion afterwards.

2. Protect from the Sun

Even for those of us who are sticklers about applying sun-protection, the feet are often forgotten or ignored. However, they have the ability to burn just like any other part of the body. And because they aren’t used to sun exposure, especially during the winter, they are particularly sensitive to the sun. So don’t forget to apply your SPF product to your feet as well, making sure not to forget the soles.

3. Pick the Right Shoes

The problem with flip flops and other open shoes with straps is that your feet may pay a painful price. Straps can dig into the heel or irritate between toes. When you are shopping for summer shoes, be sure to jump around in them first and imagine how walking a mile in them would feel before buying.

4. Moisture Socks

Moisture socks are unique in that they are especially soft and lock moisture in. Some come already infused with moisturizing ingredients, such as jojoba, grapeseed, olive oil, vitamin E, or other ingredients. If not, add your own selection. To repair the damage done on your feet from the day, wear socks overnight to reveal softer feet in the morning.

5. Paint Toes Clean

The aroma of nail polish is indication enough that it isn’t the cleanest and most pure product in your toiletry cabinet. The smell comes from three toxins – dibutyl phthalate, toluene, and formaldehyde, also known as the “toxic trio” — that have been deemed by the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database as the most toxic cosmetic additives. Replace your regular nail polish with toxin-free varieties. This will keep your nails in better shape and lessen the risk of your skin absorbing the chemicals in the nail polish that eventually make it to your bloodstream. Explore the natural nail polish options on the market.

Photo Credit: jjay69

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ColumnJust a few unusual uses for kale.

Right outside my window hang two pots of kale.

Kale. You may have heard of it. It’s a leafy green that trendy people are eating in New York City social circles apparently. And putting in smoothies. Yeah, that thing. Some are even calling it “the new beef.”

I even have a few plants growing off of the window guard rail. Sometimes a pigeon flies up and tries to sit in the pots and I yell and scream like a madwoman. “Get off my damn kale!” 

Kale might in fact be the food du jour, well actually, it might already be passe. But hell, you can put kale on anything, and just in case you were tempted, here is a list of just a few ways to put kale to good use. Because kale chips are so very last year, and it’s about time you upped the foodie ante.

1. The all kale diet.

2. Use kale to find a romantic partner. 

3. Bake a chocolate cake.

4. Infuse a kale cocktail.

5. Tie dye a shirt.

6. Serve it with ginger.

7. Kale popcorn.

8. Moisturize with it.

9. Make your own placemats when you finally decide to switch to a 100% biodegradable dinner table setting.

10. Pesto.

11. Popsicles.

12. Pizza.

13. Kale kombucha smoothie. No, really.

14. Kale muffins.

15. Improve your sex life.

16. Bake some kale scones and host a tea party.

17. Gluten free chocolate chip cookies.

18. Salsa.

19. Channel Martha Stewart and decorate your home with it.

20. Wear it.

21. Use it instead of flowers in a vase (well, preferably a mason jar). 

22. Make green food coloring.

23. Give yourself a kale facial.

24. Cupcakes for your child’s birthday party.

25. Kale ice cubes. 

This is the latest installment of Anna Brones’ weekly column at EcoSalon: Foodie Underground, an exploration of what’s new and different in the underground movement, and how we make the topic of good food more accessible to everyone. More musings on the topic can be found at www.foodieunderground.com.

Image: Bobbi Bowers 

The post Foodie Underground: 25 Uses for Kale You May Never Have Thought Of appeared first on EcoSalon | Conscious Culture and Fashion.

The sustainable fashion industry is catering to the growing trend for unique eco wedding dress options as brides recognize the environmental impact of the choices they make on their big day.

It’s all about the dress. The wedding industry knows it’s the focus of every wedding day, and the lethal dose of catnip to every pre-bridezilla.

Like the fashion industry, the bridal business is sophisticated and fast-moving, its microtrends reflect the zeitgeist and are available for every budget. But for every Great Gatsby or Downton Abbey-inspired gown you spot during this year’s wedding season, there is another trend emerging – that of the sustainable bride looking to step out of the hoopla and into an all together different kind of wedding dress.

“In my generation people got married in a big old white dress that was then boxed up and stored. You hoped your daughters would wear it for their weddings. Today’s brides are looking for something truly unique.” says Kathy Hattori, president of natural dye company, Botanical Colors. Hattori teaches her natural dye techniques to independent eco wedding dress designers and has noticed a heightened interest over the last 5 years in her specialized color combinations. “Incorporating color is huge. They want to make a statement by using natural dyes.” According to Hattori, brides are using the words ‘custom’ and ‘bespoke’ when describing the kind of dress they’re looking for now. “People are hungry for a certain quality. It’s the escence of being made-by-hand, they want it to be beautiful and masterfully-made in the reflection of me.”

Cory Gunter Brown is one of the designers who took Hatori’s class. Her Oakland-based label, The Moon  is in the process of creating a one-of-a-kind bridal line. Alongside partner Cassidy Wright, their designs focus entirely on social and environmental sustainability using natural fibers, vintage lace and buttons and natural plant dyes in partnership with the 25th Street Collective, Oakland’s innovative slow fashion hub.

“We find many brides are frustrated at the thought of buying a beautiful dress they will only get to wear once,” says Gunter Brown. Their custom-made eco wedding dresses are designed to be worn for a succession of special occasions. “Our gowns are simple elegant pieces in ethereal knit silk that can be returned to us to be dyed another color after the wedding. We dye all the pieces ourselves in our outdoor dye studio.”

More and more brides aware of the transitory nature of the wedding day are turning to the internet to find a secondhand dress. Susan Shapiro, the owner of BravoBride, an online market for newlyweds looking to buy or sell pre-owned wedding items, thinks brides are less squeamish about wearing a pre-worn dress than they used to be. “It’s been the trend lately to have different dress for the ceremony and for the reception, so in many cases these dresses have only been worn for a couple of hours.”

Shapiro sees that today’s slightly older bride is more motivated to keep costs down and her wedding’s carbon footprint lighter. “They start looking at all the things they need and realize just how many resources and waste goes into just that one day. Buying a gently-worn wedding dress is a great way to lessen some of that impact. And we’ve had lots of customers who have added a belt or a sash to make the dresses their own.”

With a wealth of new resources for brides looking for environmentally-friendly alternatives to traditional wedding gowns, the dress taking center stage at the end of the aisle is making more of a statement than ever before. As a longtime industry watcher, Kathy Hattori feels hopeful for what that one special day now means for all our futures, “Instead of walking into Wal-Mart, we are finally standing up for the things that matter.”

 All Images: Cory Gunter Brown

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