Which brings us back to the label on my new hand-me-down sweater.
Every week I cast about for a good topic for this newsletter, schvitzing that this is the week I won't get it together in time.
I jumped for joy on Friday when I came across the that label. Perfect! It's a fine example of greenwashing if ever there were one. OEKO TEX certifications are simply about chemicals. How dare they add this green bit to it. And given that it's COP26 mania right now, it's the perfect, topical subject. DONE!
I'd written half the newsletter, feeling like I was on a very self-satisfied roll.
I then double checked this "Made In Green" thing. You know... to be sure I was saying the right thing.
My face fell.
I try not to swear, so I'll leave you to imagine what some people may have said in my place. 😬
MADE IN GREEN .... well... I couldn't fault it! I desperately went through the website, looking for something that would fit into my pre-determined green-washing narrative.
There was nothing.
MADE IN GREEN assures the following: No child labour ✅ Fair and safe working conditions ✅ Use of renewable energy ✅ reduction of carbon footprint ✅ Safe treatment of waste water ✅ Super transparent supply chain data for every product ✅
There's more but I'll stop there. I feel sick at how wrong I was.
The label is incredibly respectable and comprehensive. And decidedly not green-washing-y at all.
OEKO TEX as an organisation had lifted its game. Not to mention the brands that use it.
OEKO TEX, my new friend, I salute you and will be off now, to eat my humble pie. |