Green Cotton

Green Cotton’s devotion to eco-fashion and style includes a broader inclusion of sustainability. Sustainability to us means not only sustainable environmental practices and sourcing, but also attention to the people and communities that make up our environments (and our products and companies). To this end, we are interested in fair labor standards, empowerment of women worldwide, and social responsibility. One issue that has come into the news this week concerns Hershey’s chocolate.

Photosource: www.businessweek.com

You may be very familiar with the Hershey’s kiss,  and even love it, but this love does not appear be to trickling down to all levels of Hershey’s production and processing of their little kisses. Hershey’s is one of few large chocolate companies to have yet to establish fair trade certified and organic chocolates.

To help speed up the process, on June 23rd, Green America and partners at the International Labour Rights Forum (ILRF), the Organic Consumer’s Association, and Global Exchange announced a national day for action aimed at improving the lives of cocoa farmers all over the world, and stopping the abusive child labor that is prevalent within this industry.

Photosource: laborrightsblog.typepad.com

The partners ask all their members, supporters, and others interested to call on Hersey’s Food Corporation – one of the largest chocolate producers in America – to obtain third-party fair trade certification. And when I said “call on” Hersey’s, I mean literally make a 2 minute phone call to the corporation. A script and phone numbers of those who need to hear about the plight of cocoa farmers have been prepared for the caller, so all you need to do is pick up your phone!

Ultimately, the aim of this campaign is to get Hersey’s (one of the biggest producers of chocolate worldwide) to produce all fair trade and organic certified chocolate and sugar in all their products. With some recent advancements in the corporate chocolate world, such as Cadbury’s fair trade chocolate line, this goal seems not only a realistic, but a smart move to make. Fair Trade certification is a good competitive move in a market where consumers are increasingly demanding more eco and fair trade products. While this campaign started as a National Day of Action on Tuesday June 23rd, 2009, the lines are open until Hersey’s makes a move.

So next time you go to get a Hersey’s “Kiss” remember the children and other workers behind that to cocoa and step up to offer them a fair wage and in good working conditions. Fair trade certification is one of the best ways to ensure this. Be a part of the change:  take two minutes, go to www.organicconsumers.org and place a call.

By: Julia Rea

Photo source: Fingers in the Frosting

With our nation’s momentous inauguration earlier this week and the stirring of hope and inspiration across America once again (not to mention the revitalization of the green movement), 2009 is starting off remarkably positive. Would you agree? What better way to begin the new year, than to galvanize our collective energy and begin to conquer our current economic, environmental and other woes, together.

Speaking of the environment, you’ve also probably made a few “go-green” resolutions for the New Year like most of us. Perhaps you want to drive less, bike more, dine-in, use fewer plastic bags, recycle more, buy greener (or not at all). Whatever the case may be, three weeks into 2009, you are probably doing just fine, heading quickly toward short-term success.

Yet, just as we start to “go green” for the New Year, we bump up against yet another holiday– this time filled with longstanding associations with love, romance, gift-giving, jewelry, dining out, flowers, and other such delights, many of which are not the least bit green (.a.k.a.Valentines Day).

Wondering how you can maintain your Go-Green goals for 09 despite the temptations?

At Green Cotton, we dug up an expert list of eco and socially conscious suggestions for you to keep it Green. Here it is:

A Bouquet for your Lover?

You and your boyfriend/husband/lover deserve the best. So, you might be thinking a dozen roses is a sure bet; however, it just so happens that a majority (70%) of flowers (including roses) bought and sold in the US actually come from overseas (mostly Columbia and Ecuador) and are made with significant amounts of pesticides. Not only do these flowers produce a higher carbon footprint than if produced locally, but many are grown in unregulated areas with toxic chemicals and unjust labor conditions.

So instead of rushing to the nearest grocery store and buying the first dozen roses that you see, why not check out your local farmer’s market and see what is in season that is grown locally? Surprise your sweetie with a seasonal bouquet of fresh or dried blooms. Or, if that is not possible or if you’re sending flowers to your loved one in another state, try one of the many online organic flower delivery services. Here is what we found:

Organic Bouquet www.organicbouquet.com. Check out their featured organic certified white calla lillies (above) for something unique. You can even throw in a box of gourmet organic and fair trade chocolate while you are at it http://www.organicbouquet.com/p_2134/Organic-Certified/Gourmet/signature-chocalates.html?subCatId=145

Diamond Organics grown by American farmers in California and Hawaii and organic certified. Their prices include free delivery and if you are feeling even more romantic, try their organic wine and bouquet sampler which includes fresh flowers, organic wine, organic sourdough bread and organic cheese. Even comes with free overnight delivery.

California Organic Flowers For those of you in California, try https://californiaorganicflowers.com/default

Chocolate anyone?
Nothing says Valentine’s Day like a divine box of chocolates. But while these delectable sweets may satisfy the soul, they may not be good for you—or the planet, when produced conventionally. Like roses, chocolate is primarily produced overseas and in settings where high doses of pesticides frequently find themselves into the cocoa growing process.

How about a healthier – and arguably much better tasting – alternative? Certified organic chocolate is made without any harmful pesticides, nor toxic, unnatural ingredients. Organic chocolate is also made with greater sustainability than conventional and many are also Fair Trade certified. Health experts have even demonstrated health benefits associated with dark chocolate. Eating just 6.7 oz. of dark chocolate a week significantly lowers your risk for heart disease due to the flavonoids in cacao which act as antioxidants. So you can feel triple guilt free! Here are a few of our favorites:

ChocoLove: not only does the chocolate taste unbelievably delightful—each wrapper has a love poem printed inside. The new mini bars, in single serving sizes, make a sweet little gift. Find these at your local Whole Foods, Target or online.

Terra Nostra For something a little more decadent, you might try Terra Nostra Organic with a complete online store and specialty chocolate gift baskets. All Terra Nostra’s chocolates are certified organic. Try their Robust Dark Pomegranate Truffle Bar (60% Cacao) or Intense Dark with Goji Berries & Pink Himalayan Mineral Salt Chocolate Bar (73% Cacao)

Equal Exchange is an unparalleled brand with their certified organic and fair trade delightful chocolates…each bar has additional benefits by supporting small-scale farmers and their families. Check out their website for the stories. Try their Organic Dark Chocolate with Pure Cocoa Nibs (68% Cacao)

Dagoba. Dagoba offers a wide range of certified organic chocolates. Try their 4 chocolate tasting sampler for the perfect small gift for co-workers or a thank you to someone special or the Lemon Ginger (featured above).  Check out their statement on full circle sustainability Dagoba is invested in communities and the environment through their chocolate art-making.

Candlelit Dinner
Maybe you’d like to avoid the crowded restaurants and pricey meals for an alternative from the heart? Cook your loved one a memorable, organic and locally harvested meal. Add in some candles and romantic music and you will surely have the night to remember. What easier way to go local and organic through crafting your own innovative menu. Try Organic Authority such as the “Winter Organic Salad with Pears, Pine nuts and Ricotta Salata” (seen below). Or Eden Organic for some savory recipes. Or just make your favorite recipe with organic ingredients from your favorite local stores. Give soy candles a try—the wicks are often made with organic cotton, which burns cleaner and more efficiently than conventional wicks, casting the perfect glow on your romantic dinner.

Cards
Skip the card store and make a personal, homemade card that truly comes from the heart. You can use your own recycled materials – paper, cardboard, lace, old buttons – and craft something that will speak to your Valentine’s heart. A fun tip? Use a relatively blank card and cover it with kisses—try wearing different shades of red and pink lipstick to add fun pops of color, and a very personal touch. Finish by spritzing the card with your signature fragrance. Or if you are finding yourself out of time, and in a crunch, try these eco-paper resources: Tree Free Greetings , Paporganics or Green Field cards where you can actually grow the cards after reading them.

Lingerie
Want something more intimate for that perfect Valentine’s Day gift? Well, here is our short-list of eco-alternatives:
Perfectly Imperfect Organic ‘Venus’ Lace Nighty in Wild Rose

Viva Terra is offering a red hot set of bamboo pajamas (above) on sale for the very reasonable price of $78 for the pajama set and $98 for the robe.

Green Knickers And for those of you in Europe (or willing to pay the shipping from US), try Green Knickers for some truly fun and delightful green undies. For those of you who added “bike more” to your list of 09 resolutions, you might try the bike padded cycling knickers or for your sweetheart try the “Forget Me Nots” with tie bows on each side. Each order comes with complimentary Divine Fiar Trade chocolates for Valentines Day.

Stella McCartney. And for the slightly higher price but but gorgeous designs and wide selection, try Stella’s lingerie collection (featured above, image source Fabsugar.com) available at select department stores and online.

Gifts
Give your Valentine a present you can feel good about, knowing that your purchase is eco-friendly and fair trade and your sweetheart will surely know that you invested a lot of thought into your present.

All-in-one kit try Global Exchange’s Valentines Day Kit ,which is perfect for teachers and school kids and involves an action-oriented campaign around fair trade.

Jewelry

Smart Glass recycled glass by designer Kathleen Plate offers simple, sophisticated looks through the single circle designs. All pieces are made out of recycled glass hand-cut and polished. Lariat featured above. Available at jute and jackfruit.

Recycled Metal Earrings. If you’re looking for the perfect Valentine’s earrings that steer clear of diamond and gemstone controversies, we’ve got the perfect pair. Anna Built earrings use recycled tins and sterling silver to make original designs. The best part too is the price; each pair is just $29 including shipping. The vintage painting drop earrings will give your Valentine a touch of Victorian elegance.

Organic and Environmentally-friendly Clothing

Raspberry Tisane dress by Kelly Lane is a romantic look for Valentine’s, or any occasion where you want to be comfortable and look chic. The neutral and red color-blocking is modern and high-fashion, while the cut is classically feminine. Did I mention how soft the organic cotton and soy feels against your skin? Revel in comfort and high style—brighten up your winter wardrobe with this one-of-a-kind piece.

Handbags

Nothing says “I love you” (or I care about you) like a new handbag. Let a red accessory pop your Valentine’s Day spirit and outfit. The Escama Studio Chica Rosa clutch (featured below) is made from recycled aluminum soda pull-tabs. Hand crocheted by Brazilian women and lined with satin, each bag is unique, and also very eco-friendly. A portion of sales are even donated to the women’s community toward education, computers and other needed items.

Tell us about your eco-alternatives for Valentine’s Day! We want to hear about them.

Its pretty darn close to that time of year again when the carved pumpkins, jack o’laterns, spooky goblins and tootsie pops start flowing from every house, home, and door in America. Bundle up and get your costume gear on for some good ole trick o’ treatin’!

For all the chocolate and candy lovers out there, this is likely your favorite holiday of the year. Yes? And for those of you who simply like to dress up, well this is your Big Day, too. But for the eco-savvy sweet tooth, well…you are probably thinking of all the ways you can skirt the jam packed grocery aisles filled with 2-pound bags of high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated vegetable oil processed concoctions. Yikes!

So what options are there to go green (and fair trade)? Well, we here at Green Cotton happen to love chocolate and therefore attempted to dig up some eco-treasures that can satisfy your sweet tooth without having to skip town. Let’s take a look:

Fair Trade and Organic Chocolate Halloween Chocolate

Turns out it is easier than one might think to find chocolate that is BOTH fair trade AND organic: Divine, Equal Exchange, and Taza Chocolate are just a few who dove into Halloween this year.

Equal Exchange is now making “Organic Dark Chocolate Mini’s”! (see above) A perfect size for trick or treaters and a perfect green, and fair trade alternative to mainstream chocolate companies. Equal exchange has also been involved in a movement called “Reverse Trick-or Treating” where they call upon children to educate adults as they make their rounds on Halloween by handing them some fair trade chocolate with information about the children who make the chocolate, or who end up laboring (To see more about reverse trick or treating go to Equal Exchange).

Divine got into the Halloween spirit with “Halloween Milk Chocolate Foils” which includes the very spookey Eerie Eyeballs and ghastly gouls! If you know any 7 – 13 year olds I am sure these will be a hit. ()

Taza Chocolate- These “Direct Traders” can be found in over 100 stores in the metro-Boston Area alone! We love Taza chocolate. See their website for local stores in your area that carry Taza Chocolate!

For more Fair Trade Certified and Organic chocolate producers see our earlier post on organic chocolate.

Why go organic and fair trade?
Organic chocolate production is good for consumers, producers and Mother Nature. Pesticides used in the production of conventional cocoa have only increased over last few decades, particularly due to changed production processes. For example, clear-cutting which has replaced growing deep under tree tops (with protection from sunlight and insects) has led to increased pesticide use. Additionally, rainforest deforestation and single-crop plantings jeopardize the survival of endangered species that live in and depend on tropical habitats such as the ones in which cocoa grows well. Ultimately, the overuse of pesticides affects local air and water quality, impacts worker health and has still unknown effects on consumers. In addition, many of the world’s largest chocolate corporations, such as Mars, maker of M & M’s, have yet to adopt fair trade practices. Many factories and farms employ young children to work the cocoa fields.

Let’s Vote with our Wallets (not to coincide with November 4th!). In 2000, we consumed 3.3 billion pounds of chocolate (13 billion dollars worth) in America. As the largest chocolate consumers in the world, we have surprisingly significant influence over the chocolate industry. Even when we don’t know it, we are voting at the checkout counter. With the increasing availability and lower priced organic and fair trade options available out there, lets give it a shot!

May your Halloween be as eco, green and yummy as can be.