washing).
- Get your paper materials printed on recycled paper with as much post-consumer content as possible. Check out GreenerPrinter for business cards, postcards and more.
- Unplug your tools when not in use – glue guns, sewing machines, sergers, electronic scissors, etc. all take power even when they’re not on. If you don’t believe me, go look at your power meter. Note how fast it’s turning. Now, go back inside, and unplug everything not in use. Look at the meter again. It will be dramatically slowed!
- After reducing your consumption as much as possible, you might consider offsetting your power consumption with wind-power credits or carbon credits. Call your local power company and ask for details.
- Recycle all scraps and unused materials – especially paper products, plastic and glass.
- Find new uses for scraps. For example, I make large tote bags, and then I either piece together the scraps to make patchwork pieces or create smaller, makeup bags to sell.
- Purchase domestically produced supplies when possible. Shipping items from overseas uses more petroleum products (jet fuel, truck gasoline, etc.).
- Use organic fabrics. I know, I know…organic fabrics are EXPENSIVE. But, if you only use small quantities, sometimes, it makes sense.
- If you’re doing any embellishing or printing of pre-made apparel items, look into American Apparel’s organic cotton line. It only costs a tiny premium over their regular stuff, and their wholesale prices are amazing. Plus, all their stuff is made in the USA.
Got any other ideas on how to be more environmentally friendly? Let us know in the comments!
