T-shirts and the Environment
T-SHIRTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
You may not think much about the environment when you reach into your dresser for a T-shirt,but cotton actually accounts for a large percentage of the chemical fertilizers used in agriculture. So unless your rockin' the polyester leisure suit 24/7 it's worth knowing that the T-shirt you choose makes a difference. There are 2 aspects to consider here, the cotton and the ink. With regard to cotton, an organic cotton garment is a healthier choice. When it comes to ink there are two main types used. Plastisol ink, which is a a liquified form of PVC, is the most popular type of ink used in the United States. Waterbased inks are more popular in Europe, but used by select printers in the United States. Each type of ink has advantages in terms of specific applications. There is a question regarding which inks are more environmentally responsible, especially since not all ink is manufactured the same way. We believe water-based inks are better for the people who have to work with them. They do not require petro-chemical solvents to clean up. Workers are not chronically exposed to solvents which, as a chemical group, are directly linked to cancer. Prints made using water-based ink also do not off- gas. PVC, the main base in Plastisols, is a persistant environmental pollutant and as such really has no place on your T-shirt, right under your nose. Some people argue that, especially once cured properly, plastisols are inert. It's seems that a consensus has not been reached regarding the science on this issue. Until then, we print with water-based inks and constantly research environmental issues relating to screen printing. We offer organic cotton t-shirts along with 'regular' t-shirts. We also offer hemp/cotton garments. We believe that with continued attention to our customers needs, the environment, and printing quality, we can achieve a sound balance between our wants (cool T-shirts) and our needs (clean air & water) Thanks for reading---Big Oz