Healthier and more sustainable options for clothing, hair and makeup are bountiful. Visit the green vendor directory on www.greenproductionguide.com to find environmentally friendly sources.
WARDROBE
- Use laundry detergents free of phosphates and fragrances.
- Choose powder detergents over liquids, which are heavier and require more energy to ship.
- Wash clothing in cold-water cycles.
- Use ENERGY STAR certified washers and dryers.
- Reuse coat hangers and garment covers.
- Purchase clothing made from USDA organic cotton, wool, hemp, bamboo, linen and ahimsa silk.
- Avoid new materials made from petroleum, such as vinyl and polyester.
- When possible, purchase second-hand and vintage clothing.
- Donate no longer needed clothing at the end of production.
- Repair damaged garments instead of replacing them.
- Purchase clothing made in the U.S. and Fair Trade Certified™ imports.
- When possible, avoid clothing that requires dry cleaning.
- If dry cleaning is necessary, look for services that do not use perchloroethylene (PERC), a carcinogenic chemical that can remain on clothing after dry-cleaning and pollute surrounding air.
- Look for services that offer “wet dry-cleaning,” which gently launders with water and biodegradable solvents, or CO2 cleaning, which uses compressed liquid CO2.
- Bring reusable garment bags and skip the plastic.
- Return wire hangers to the dry cleaner.
HAIR & MAKEUP
- Purchase products from signatories of the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, a pledge to produce safer products and provide ingredient transparency.
- Purchase cruelty-free makeup and hair care products, meaning they contain no ingredients currently being tested on animals.
- Look for products made with organic ingredients.
- Don’t trust the term “natural,” which is unregulated and does not mean a product is chemical-free.
- Avoid aerosols.
- Purchase products that can be refilled, and look for products with recyclable or biodegradable packaging.
- Place recycling bins near hair and make-up stations, and take advantage of programs like Origins’ Return to Origins Recycling Program, which recycles empty cosmetic containers returned to their stores, regardless of brand. Visit www.origins.com/customer_service/aboutus.tmpl#/Commitment for details.
Download a PDF copy of the Wardrobe, Hair & Makeup Best Practices.