Discuss the wholesale blanks industry: Factory direct, custom labels. You can also use this forum to locate a wide variety of wholesale products including t-shirts, hoodies, mousepads, coffee mugs and other imprintable products.
While I was at the tradeshow, I went to one organic cotton vendor's booth and asked them if they carried bamboo. She said it feels nice, but it's not really eco-friendly, so they don't carry it.
Rodney, I have to say that the Continental Clothing web site was the worst web site I have visited. They say they are enviromentally sound but here I was wasting all that electricity waiting for their site to load every time I wanted to check something. Loading...loading.....loading........I finally just gave up.
Rodney, I have to say that the Continental Clothing web site was the worst web site I have visited. They say they are enviromentally sound but here I was wasting all that electricity waiting for their site to load every time I wanted to check something. Loading...loading.....loading........I finally just gave up.
It could have been a problem on your end. The website loaded fast and fine for me.
Just to clarify, the process to make bamboo t-shirts may not generally be eco-friendly, but if you read the article on the continental clothing site, you'll see how they looked into how it can be made more eco friendly and how they were able to get their bamboo t-shirts certified.
There are chemicals used in manufacturing bamboo fibre but I believe the farming process has less of a negative impact on the environment plus bamboo is a renewable resource. I have read that up to 1/3 of a pound of pesticide is used to make 1 cotton t-shirt plus there are numerous chemicals used in the production of cotton shirts (Consumer Guide to Organic Cotton Clothing and Bedding). It would be great if someone did a total environmental impact comparison between cotton & bamboo to set the record straight.
I think this subject will debated for a long time.
What it comes down to is sustainability, bamboo can be made into fibers with far less chemicals than cotton, because it grows better naturally. Go look at a bamboo crop and you will see for yourself that it is green and growing well. Even in winter. Cotton manufacturers were able to triple capacity during the industrial revolution by introducing chemicals to increase turnaround.
A problem with organic cotton certification is that companies have been able to market things as organic cotton with blends of 5% organic and 95% standard chemically treated cotton.
The cotton people dont want to lose business. There are also a lot of tradeoffs, but bamboo is an amazing fabric. Period.
Thanks for the link, Rodney. It was very informative. But now I have the other problem with the Continental clothing - made in China... But that is probably just my problem, and not many other peoples!
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Thanks for the link, Rodney. It was very informative. But now I have the other problem with the Continental clothing - made in China... But that is probably just my problem, and not many other peoples!
What country of origin do you need the garments from. I think there's at least one bamboo manufacturer that has their garments made in the US.
After reading through all of the information provided on the Continental Website and speaking to staff in the UK, we decided to start using their blanks, including the bamboo, and we are exceptionally happy and belive that we are using an ethical and sustainable product. Yes the bamboo is grown in China and goes through a manufacturing process which outlined on their website. But just because the bamboo comes from China, this should not have it put into a taboo category. We took over 6 months of research to find products that we felt provided exactly what we say we are providing, which is sustainable & ethical clothing. We faced a similar experience when researching hemp, as it is primarily grown in China and Bangladesh. So my point is, and as long as you feel comfortable with the research you have done and you have established a trust with the supplier, you should feel comfortable and believe in the product that you are selling.
The bamboo shirts are made in china, but if you actually read through the site you can see that they are members of Fair Wear and they know their growers etc. etc. It is not "china" that equals "bad." It is the conditions of shops/growers etc. and the industry that can be corrupt. So just because the Bamboo is from China, you can't assume this is an automatic negative. Their website is full of information regarding this. The company has been around, and they are accessible when they want to be to answer any questions, the owner even sent a 36 page document regarding the differences of organic cotton vs. regular manufacturing - when I asked for more information.
In the world of tshirt manufacturing they are taking the best steps I have found.
now...if only ordering and communication on that front were a bit more organized...
thanks jasonda, i've been telling people that bamboo was nice but don't buy it thinking that you're saving the planet. last time i brought up some of the negatives of bamboo some on the forum doubted it. that article says it all. maybe they will clean up the process as more light is shined on them. for now it's eco fad with a dark secret. sure feels nice. stan
the eco-friendliness of bamboo 
Re: the eco-friendliness of bamboo 
Suzanne
