Wanna Know What PETA Said?

Earlier this week, I wrote about my surprise in finding that PETA’s line of t-shirts isn't exclusively (or even mostly) organic. In addition to sharing the news with you, I sent an email to PETA. And I got a response. Here it is (unedited):

Dear Kristyn,

Thank you for your comments and for the information you have provided. Currently we have one organic cotton product, the Unisex yellow “Happy Families” tee and we hope to carry more organic apparel in the future.

Unfortunately, just about anything we do has some adverse effect on the environment. As you already know, this is compounded when we consume products derived from animals since we are hurting the animals themselves, in addition to the environment, and that is why we promote a vegan lifestyle.

We, like you, would like to see the use of all animals and animal ingredients eliminated. We also recognize that, unfortunately, it is impossible to be a total vegan. Although changes are taking place with almost everything, there are animal products and/or animal tests wrapped up in our wallboard, paints, car tires, the asphalt we drive on, printing fluid, you name it. Ultimately, we encourage people to make choices that will have the most positive impact for animals.

While we will consider your suggestion, perhaps you will take comfort in knowing that we currently purchase T-shirts made by American Apparel which are screen printed by a nonprofit screen printer who employs people in the US.

We hope this information is helpful. Thank you for caring and all that you do for animals.

Kindest regards,
PETA Customer Service Staff

I was pleased to get a response, but I’m still surprised that they only carry one organic shirt (note: If you follow the link, it’s only the yellow “Happy Families” shirt that’s organic; all the other shirts with the same design are not organic . . . figure that one out). I’m also surprised they “hope” to carry more in the future.

I’m a total animal rights activist—I even waited for a frog to cross my path while I was mowing the lawn yesterday—but I think we all need to take a global, green, and vegan approach to life. Meaning, we should make the best possible choices for Mother Earth, which includes her animals and her humans.

Question of the blog: Since “Made in the USA” and animal-friendly organic t-shirts are available—and are now more affordable than ever—why use/wear anything else?

Is Banana Republic Trying to Green-Wash Us?

I was pleased to hear Banana Republic has incorporated organics into their line . . . but when I went to their site, I could find little more than a t-shirt that was marketed as an “eco-friendly staple” but was really just 5% organic. Which, from another perspective, is 87% not-organic cotton and 8% definitely-not-organic spandex.

To quote Mark, “Is that the best they could do?”

Speaking of, I made a donation to PETA recently and got their newsletter in the mail yesterday. I was moved by the stories (of course) and also by their line of fun and funky t-shirts. I went online to order one, assuming they were organic, or maybe bamboo or hemp.

Not only wasn't I able to find sustainable fabrics, but some shirts are 50% polyester, which is a petroleum product . . . which isn’t good for Mother Nature or animals.

To quote Mark, “How many polyesters were killed in the making of that t-shirt?”

Question of the blog: Would you buy an “eco-friendly" product that was 95% anti-eco?

Did They Miss The Point Or What?

I just returned from a quick trip to Macy’s. My Mom told me they sell organic t-shirts. Cool organic t-shirts. And she’s right. I bought one. But right next to the organic shirts are shirts that carry an environmental message, but aren’t environmental. [They aren’t organic and are made overseas.]

It’s a classic case of missing the point.

The green movement isn’t about posturing or pretending. It’s about action. So people who truly care don’t just wear a shirt that says “Save the Environment” they actually wear shirts that help to save the environment.

Macy’s and designers: Please take note.

Question of the blog: What are some of the ways you see people trying to take advantage of the green movement?