Alternative Apparel has always been an innovator when it comes to fabrics, colors, and cuts, but their new line of eco-heathers and organic cotton apparel has most definitely raised the bar. Generally a constricted niche in the past, Alternative Apparel is now producing lines of eco-friendly products with no restriction on color or sass. A couple examples below:

Eco-Heather Crew
Unisex regular fit eco-heather s/s p.e. tee. Made with Eco-Heather, our uniquely imperfect blend of organic cotton, recycled polyester, and naturally occurring rayon.

• 20’s Eco-Heather: 38% cotton (6.25% organic cotton), 50% polyester (6.25% recycled poly), 12% naturally occurring rayon
• Low-impact yarn dyed, fabric washed for a super soft hand

The Rocky Eco-Fleece Zip Hoodie

Unisex regular fit l/s zip hoodie with kangaroo front pocket. Natural color zipper tape, nickel zipper, and shoestring hood ties give this classic item retro appeal. Wintertime just got a whole lot cozier!

• Eco-Fleece: 50% polyester (6.25% recycled), 46% cotton (6.25% organic cotton), 4% naturally occurring rayon
• Low-impact yarn dyed; enzyme fabric washed for a super soft hand
• Resilient fabric

Every Monday on Morro Ave in Baywood Park is a farmer’s market from 2-5 in the afternoon. Looks like I’ll be there as often as I can.

I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen such red, luscious strawberries, crisp apples or deep green green’s. Below is some photo evidence.

Also, here’s a link to some raw goodness recipes for inspiration.

We’ve recently added ECOBAGS® as a supplier and ever since, our staff can’t stop fighting over the samples they’ve sent over. Our favorites? The Canvas Shopping Tote made from recycled cotton and the 100% Organic Canvas Book/Overnite Tote.  We asked Chris, our lead designer and resident tester why she loves hers, and she says, “They’re super sturdy and the perfect size.  I use mine for grocery trips or a weekend night-bag.”

***BONUS: Are you a Twitter user?  Tweet about the contest with hashtag #ecoprintworks and you’ll receive a second entry.

//***EDIT***// Congratulations to Jared Karnes from OneTribe Organics – winner of our free custom tote contest. Below are a couple pics of the finished product.

By popular request, we’re now offering recycled hang-tags from our friends at Greenerprinter up in Berkeley.Recycled hang tags are a great way to brand your apparel – as well as pass along important information to customers about the production characteristics of both the garment and the printing process employed to create your beautiful finished product. Drop us a line today at 877.326.2052 to talk about minimums and costs. You can also contact us here.

The Vallon Institute, a think tank out of Washington DC focusing on health and social sustainability has, in an effort to raise funds and awareness for their cause has come up with an adventure race called Go Urban. Go Urban, in their words, is a mash-up of competition, problem solving, teamwork, and urban adventure designed to promote their Get Outside (GO) initiative.

Go Urban got with us to help create custom apparel that would be representative of their core values of sustainability and environmental responsibility.

The races will take place in thirteen locations throughout the country. You can sign up here.

Continental Clothing – one of the world’s most progressive apparel manufacturers has shifted production of it’s organic offerings to it’s eco-minded subsidiary, Earth Positive.

Earth Positive has garnered its reputation as they strive to be: The Most Progressive Ethical Clothing on Earth

From EP’s about us page:

EarthPositive® is a revolution in apparel. Climate Neutral clothing: Organic and ethically made, but crucially, manufactured solely using sustainable energy generated from wind power.

EP is a practical and immediate solution for business and fashion to face their biggest challenge and take immediate
action to combat climate change.

Continental Clothing Shifts Organics

ORGANIC COTTON NEWS — News from around the web on developments in the organic cotton industry.

For the third time since the federal government outlawed hemp farming in the United States over 50 years ago, a bill will be introduced attempting to remove restrictions on the cultivation and production of non-psychoactive industrial hemp.

Ron Paul (R-TX), famed for his internet fueled run at the 2008 presidency, has teamed up with Barney Frank (D-MA) to introduce the legislation.

“It is unfortunate that the federal government has stood in the way of American farmers, including many who are struggling to make ends meet, from competing in the global industrial hemp market,” said Paul, adding that some of the Founding Fathers who grew hemp themselves “would surely find that federal restrictions on farmers growing a safe and profitable crop on their own land are inconsistent with the constitutional guarantee of a limited, restrained federal government.”

Under current policy, inustrial hemp can be imported but not grown by U.S. Farmers.  According to Eric Steenstra, President of Vote Hemp, U.S. companies such as Ecoprintworks and Dr. Bronners soaps of California import over $300 million worth of industrial hemp each year.

It is long overdue that the U.S. market is opened to this naturally organic, naturally sustainable crop.

Ron Paul

EcoPrintworks recognized by Eco Child’s Play for printing with non-toxic, Oeko-Tex Class I certified Permaset Aqua inks. The Oeko-tex certification is especially important to parents of young ones – as it means that said products are of the highest safety standard, and certified safe for children under the age of two.

Eco Child’s Play was founded by Jennifer Lance, and is one of the leading journals for greener choices facing parent’s today. Our inclusion in the journal is an honor.

Click here for the article on eco friendly screen-printing…

Eco Child's Play Article