Tag Archive for clothing

While You Shop, Do This

Use your immense power as a consumer. Ask where items you’re buying are made. Why? Activists to Retailers: Shoppers Need to Know Who’s Making the Clothes explains. Here’s a short excerpt:

“Consumers have more power than they think. If a store manager has their shoppers asking questions about where their clothes are being sourced, we think they are more likely to listen….In an industry where garment companies pocket huge profits whilst workers are being exploited…we want brands to listen to those who produce and buy their clothes.

“Asking a question as simple as ‘Who is making my clothes?’ takes into consideration how workers are being treated, where materials are coming from, and whether or not your clothing has been made sustainably. On average, garment workers in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and India receive 70 cents an hour for their 12-hour work days and live in poverty. Publishing supplier lists is one way to help consumers start shopping responsibly and improve conditions for garment workers.”

READ MORE AT http://www.takepart.com/article/2016/12/02/fashion-suppliers

Clothing Out of Waste

Meet Zero Waste Daniel.  He makes clothing…and helps the Earth.  He’s part of the Zeo Waste Movement.  In his case, he collects the tons of textiles that clothing manufacturers toss into the landfill and makes unique wearable items.  See how he does it:

https://www.facebook.com/NowThisNews/videos/1545674968855955/

Grandkids Then and Now, Pt. 3

When I saw this, written by Annie Korzen and published in the AARP Bulletin (May 2016), I alternated between chuckles and nodding in agreement.  Because I like to keep my posts short, I’m dividing this up into a few, spread-out posts.  If you’d lke to see Part 1, go to http://www.jackieodonnell.net/2016/05/11/grandkids-then-and-now-pt-1/ and Part 2 at http://www.jackieodonnell.net/2016/08/10/grandkids-then-and-now-pt-2/

 

I’m a new grandmother [says Annie Korzen], but am I cut out for it?  Look at how differently I raised my son from how he’s raising his.

Summer vacation  —  Then: One week at the country home of elderly relatives.    Now:  One week at the home of Pliny the Elder–in Pompeii.

Discipline  —  Then:  “I hope your brats are twice as bad!”    Now:  “Schuyler, I’m not disappointed in you personally; I’m disappointed in your action of setting the cat on fire.”

Clothing  —  Then:  Hand-me-downs, like that pink tutu my son still holds against me.  (Hey, the price was right!)    Now:  That Dolce & Gabbana  outfit was just $575?

Entertaining  —  Then:  Kids sat at the kids’ table, where the rule was “No comments from the peanut gallery!”    Now:   Kids join the guests at the dinner table.  The conversation is with and about them.

Teenagers  —  Then: You wisely minimized contact with these known sociopaths.    Now:  Weekly family visits with a therapist to prevent drug addiction, unsafe sex or eating disorders.

[And there you have it.  But who cares abnout the generation gap?  Grandkids are GREAT!]

Kill Stains, Not the Earth

Instead of toxic and expensive stain-fighters, use an eco-friendly dish soap like Dawn.  Rub a few drops into the stain and toss the garment directly into the wash or into the hamper for wash-day.

Leaf 6

[For more easy, money-saving, earth-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-book seller.]