eco products

We are all familiar with the health and environmental benefits organically grown food but what about the clothes we wear? One of the most intensively farmed crops in the world, non-organic cotton accounts for one quarter of global pesticide use; with alarming environmental and social consequences.

By growing cotton organically, people and the planet are protected and here are a few reasons why organic cotton is the only choice for a more sustainable future:

• Over 8000 chemicals can be used to turn cotton into a t-shirt;
• 20,000 deaths occur in developing countries each year from poisoning by agricultural pesticides used on crops, of which many, due to their relative toxicity, can be attributed to cotton;
• Pesticides and insecticides harm natural habitats
• In some areas, the cost of chemicals is now reaching 60% of farmer's production costs, often causing intolerable debts for millions of poor farmers;
• Crop rotation is at the core of organic crop production, providing nutrients to the soil, helping prevent pest, weed and disease problems and maintaining the soil structure.
  (Source: PAN-UK)

The Soil Association is the UK's leading campaigning and certification organisation that has been working to promote sustainable organic food and farming since it was founded in 1946. Wherever you see their stamp you can be sure that what you are purchasing has been produced and processed to the strictest environmental and animal welfare standards.

Here are some of the important things the Soil Association check:

• Harmful chemicals have not been used in farming
• Crops are strictly rotated
• No GM throughout the chain
• Dying techniques
• Quality control of product
• Packing and labelling
• Policy of importing and exporting products
• Distribution

Seasalt Cornwall were first fashion brand in the UK to receive Soil Association certification for our organic cotton garments, something we are very proud of.

find out more about the Soil Association...

Jute or hessian is the world's second biggest fibre crop after cotton. Its use has escalated because it is a highly productive, durable and versatile plant with lots of environmentally friendly properties.

These are some things we like about Jute:

• Jute is a natural fibre that is 100% bio-degradable and recyclable
• As a crop it is rain fed with little need for fertilizer or pesticides.
• Its fibres, procured from the bast or skin of the plant's stem, have a high tensile strength and durability, lending itself to a variety of uses including sacking, carpets, rope, fabrics and footwear.
• Jute can be used as a substitute for many harmful synthetic products for instance it is an increasingly popular replacement for plastic carrier bags.
• It has a golden and silky shine and is hence known as The Golden Fibre.

Recycling is the reprocessing of materials into new products. Recycling can prevent the waste of potentially useful materials, reduces the consumption of raw materials and reduces energy usage, and hence greenhouse gas emissions.

As well as following the 3 R's (reduce, reuse, recycle) in our shops and offices we are pleased to have some recycled products to sell too. In 2007 we introduced recycled stationery and toys and in 2008 we will have fleeces made from recycled plastc bottles.

Seasalt colouring pencils are made from good wood. This is wood that comes from sustainably managed forests such as those certified by the Forest Stewardship Council or similar.

You'll find them in the following sections:

women's tops
women's hoodies & half zips
women's skirts & pants
women's logo tees & sweats
men's half zips
men's logo tees & sweats
kid's
hats gloves scarves

You'll find them in the following sections:

women's tops
men's t-shirts
men's easy tops
men's trousers and shorts
men's outerwear

women's tops

eco-friendly stationery & toys