When starting an apparel company, there are two major concerns that have to be addressed:
How can we bring others’ creative visions to life and how can we do this without negatively impacting our environment?
And while the first problem didn’t cause much trouble, the latter took careful consideration. We wanted to supply our store with brands whose identities align with our own. However, an easy choice was made when we decided to use BELLA+CANVAS. Their mission is clear, and their intentions can only be described as upstanding in regards to ecological sustainability. But what does this truly mean? Almost all brands, clothing or not, would like to appear as the “good guys” when looked at by consumers because that directly helps drive sales. The difference here with BELLA+CANVAS is that they have the proof to back themselves up. Their operation was built with our planet’s well-being in mind.
The ways in which you can keep an eco-friendly organization are innumerable. Thankfully, BELLA+CANVAS was able to give consumers and printing shop owners alike a bit of insight on how they keep up with their duties to our beautiful Earth.
A large portion of the action taken place is in relation to minimizing waste, mostly in the forms of water and various energy sources. They save water by using highly efficient dye machines, which uses seven times less water than the average clothing manufacturer, saving around twenty-four million gallons per week. BELLA+CANVAS also claims that any water used is recycled using a filtration system. However, the ways in which they tackle energy consumption goes as follows: solar panels to partially power their U.S. sewing and cutting facilities, motion-sensor LED lighting and skylights throughout each of their buildings, and electric car charging stations to help encourage employees to drive without the use of fossil fuels.
A huge culprit for not only wasted resources, but toxic waste is, you guessed it, the clothing industry. BELLA+CANVAS also helps stress the importance of avoiding producing these toxins and finding healthier alternatives for others who own printing companies.
One simple way in which toxic waste can be prevented is to recycle things that are already going to be thrown out. We’re taught from a young age that recycling is good for the environment, but society doesn’t stress it enough. People aren’t given proper instructions on all of the many things that are actually able to be reused. Throwing less plastic away means smaller landfills, which translates directly to a cleaner living environment. BELLA+CANVAS emphasizes that they put just about everything they can’t turn into a t-shirt into a recycling bin. Optimizing plastic cutting and turning all extra fabric into things like baby bibs or stuffing for furniture are also other practices that should be learned from. It takes extra time to curate these good habits, but if it were easy, then everyone would be inclined to do it. It’s those who are willing to stress these larger-than-life issues and put that supplementary effort in that we should be praising.
However, there are many problems that arise in the pre-production phase as well as the post-production and cleanup phases. These pre-production issues typically come in the form of product choice. Where in the world of printing clothes and owners have the option to use plastisol or water-based inks, there isn’t necessarily a right or wrong choice, as BELLA+CANVAS describes. While water-based inks are made of more natural substances, there are troubles in regards to the disposal process, in which the ink needs to be cleaned up in a timely manner or else it will be rendered useless and ultimately lost. With these considerations, the only real answer to the issue is to gauge how much time you have set aside for the cleaning process and based on that response you may choose the more sustainable option for your business. It can be tricky, but consulting with companies who already have a healthy system in place can be a good model for one’s own business. Another key action point is to only support other companies with these beliefs. In regards to packaging, BELLA+CANVAS only orders eco-friendly boxes that they can put their logo on. They also reuse all boxes that their blanks come in as well as using shreds or brown craft paper instead of harmful plastic lining to put in their boxes. Being sustainable doesn’t only come from within one's own practices, but supporting others who do the same. When looking at it all from an outside perspective, the only way to create a healthy environment for all is to have everyone do the same. If only eco-friendly brands are being supported, then only these eco-friendly brands will thrive. But I believe we are all in agreement when I say that this level of progress will take some time to achieve.
Having businesses that are willing to not only push for a cleaner and healthier future, but to help set an example for all of those willing to follow them is exactly what the world needs more of. In today’s capitalistic environment, many of these measures should be considered the bare minimum. Too many of the larger organizations get away with cutting every corner they find in order to maximize efficiency and ultimately maximize money earned. More and more business owners as well consumers are seeing the hazards that the industrialization of the world is causing for various ecosystems. Unfortunately, not much can be done to turn back time and reverse the negative effects. However, preventative procedures can be set in place in order to hinder further damage. Here at Split Apparel LLC, we strive to help highlight those companies that are taking such measures because we believe in preserving a bright future just as they do. This is just one of many eco-friendly brands that have our support. We will continue to emphasize more of these companies in the future, but we hope this information helps give you better insight into the issues that we see everyday and all across the globe within the clothing industry alone.
All statistics and details regarding BELLA+CANVAS came from their website and blog post - where you can read the rest here to further your knowledge on how to keep a sustainable printing organization.