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...f.a.q.
Why Organic Cotton?
Conventional cotton farming is one of the most environmentally unfriendly agricultural activities modern civilization partakes in. The people, plants, animals, air, land, and water near conventional cotton farming lands are put at large health risks as a result of all the toxic pesticides and insecticides used in the growing process. A conventional cotton shirt, probably like the one you are currently wearing, uses an estimated 1/3 of pound (approximately the size of a cup of sugar) of harsh chemicals. Our certified organic cotton uses absolutely no toxic chemicals during the growing process.
The World Health Organization suggests that a staggering 20,000 deaths and nearly 3 million chronic health problems are caused by poisoning related to agricultural pesticide related poisoning each year. To learn more about organic cotton and its benefits, see what the Organic Trade Association and Organic Exchange have to say.
Why hemp?
Hemp is a very versatile plant with over 25,000 known uses (from biodiesel, to food, to paper). It produces a very strong fiber that grows without the use of large quantities of chemicals or water. Hemp also has the properties of being heat, mildew, pest, light and rot resistant. All while being softer, more water resistant and more durable than traditional cotton.
Why Bamboo?
For the Environment:
Bamboo is grown 100% naturally without assistance from man and is 100% biodegradable. This means its sustainable and needs NO pesticides or fertilizers. The plant itself is known to be the fastest growing in the world and spreads rapidly across large areas. Because of this, bamboo improves soil quality in degraded and eroded areas.
For our customers:
Bamboo fabric is smooth, soft and luxuriously comfortable. Its a great performance fabric because of its moisture wicking properties and thermo-control. Simply stated, it won't stick to you and it keeps you cooler in the Summer and warmer in the Winter. Bamboo is also antibacterial, keeping you fresh and odor free.
Where does our organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo come from?
We source our fabric locally, as close as possible to our screen printing location, to reduce carbon emissions that are associated with overseas shipping. By sourcing locally we can ensure high quality, fair labor practices, US job growth, and low emissions.
Does environmentally friendly materials hold up as well as conventional materials?
Yes, it washes and wears just as well. We also think its considerably softer and more comfortable to wear.
How can we be sure the cotton is organic?
The Organic Trade Association and Organic Exchange certifies all of our suppliers.
What type of inks do you use?
We utilize water-based screen-printing technology. The water-based inks soak into and become part of the cloth itself, similar to the way watercolor paint soaks into paper. The result is a breathable, durable print that will not crack or wash away. Water-based inks also have excellent color-fastness and washability, keeping their color wash after wash.
Aren’t there other inks available?
Plastisol inks are the ink of choice for most conventional screen printers. Plastisol contains PVC and pthalates, which are both harmful to the environment, and results in a plastic print that is not breathable. Soy and other vegetable-based inks are most often used on paper for documents, business cards, etc. While these are a good alternative to man-made inks from an environmental standpoint, unfortunately they do not meet our quality standards for wash ability and color-fastness on cotton. Additionally, some vegetable-based inks that are made specifically for apparel printing contain heavy metals, which allow the ink to bond to the cotton fibers. Heavy metals are a chief environmental concern in the apparel industry.
Can you print on dyed shirts with a water-based ink even though it’s transparent?
Yes, we use a patented technology that prints with water-based inks on dyed shirts.
What type of dyes do you use?
We use Ciba bi-functional, low impact reactive dyes. They meet European Oeko-tex standard and the Global Organic Textile Standards. These dyes require less salt, lower water temperatures (less energy use), and do not contain any heavy metals.
What about shipping?
We currently ship all of our products via USPS and UPS. Both companies are making attempts to become more environmentally friendly but we still think they can do better. All our products currently ship in recyclable mailers made from 20% recycled material, minimum. Also, we’re going to push our customers like crazy to re-use and recycle the packaging.
Do you have any facts relating to the enviornment that I can use on a daily basis for motivation?
- Plastic waste kills up to 1 million sea birds, 100,000 sea mammals and countless fish each year. Plastic does not decompose easily, it can remain in the ecosystem for many years to kill again and again
- Each year, three times as much rubbish is dumped into the world's oceans as the weight of fish caught
- Every year ships at sea discharge somewhere between 5 and 50 million tons of oil. Most of this is the result of the routine discharge of engine wastes and bilge slops, in direct violation of international treaties
- According to the American Forest and Paper Association, in 1999 the U.S. alone used 10 billion paper grocery bags, requiring 14 million trees to be cut down
- The rapid build-up of pollution, particularly oxygen-consuming phosphorus and nitrogen from agricultural activities (fertilizers), has turned 100,000 square kilometers of the Baltic's deeper waters into an oxygen-starved "dead sea"
- Packaging accounts for more than 30 percent of your garbage
- Recycling one glass bottle can save enough energy to light a 100 watt bulb for 4 hours
- Plastic bags don't biodegrade, they photodegrade: they break down into smaller and smaller toxic bits, contaminating soil and waterways, and enter the food chain when animals accidentally ingest the waste
- Around the world, untreated sewage flows into coastal waters, carrying organic waste and nutrients that can lead to oxygen depletion, as well as disease-causing bacteria and parasites that require closing beaches and shellfish beds
I'm interested in learning more about environmentally friendly clothing and the action sports industry, where can I find more information?
- Environmentally Friendly Stuff
- Organic Cotton Wikipedia Entry - Tons of good information about organic cotton.
- Sustainable Cotton Project - Site dedicated to making organic cotton a viable agricultural and economic alternative.
- TreeHugger Blog - TreeHugger breaks it down for you in a series of in depth how-to articles that will help you green your life.
- Environmental News Network - Ton of good news about the environment
- Planetsave - Green news and links with color commentary, a dash of hopeful outrage, and a non-ironic desire to save the world.
- Action Sports Stuff
- Magic Seaweed - Surf reports, surf forecasts, and surfing photos
- Surfrider Foundation - Environmental Organization that works to protect the oceans, waves, and beaches.
- Drift Magazine - An online magazine geared towards surfing and the environment
- Banquet - Videos, forums, and more
- WakeSkating.com - Information about the wakeskating industry
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