5 Reasons Why You Should Buy Eco-Friendly Kids Clothing

With the launch of our newest eco-friendly range for kids, 'TAMGA Little', we wanted to share a bit on why we decided to release a kids line. A year ago, Eric and I were on the hunt shopping for an eco-friendly little girl's dress as a gift for a mommy friend. We went to countless stores and specialty boutiques in Toronto and could not find any garments (other than organic cotton kids sleepwear) that were eco-friendly for a 4-year-old. We quickly realized that sustainable clothing for children ages 2-5 is not readily available and we should create a TAMGA kids line! Fast-forward to almost a year later, and TAMGA Little is here! There are so many benefits to buying eco-friendly clothing, and we are so excited to share our top 5 reason - so keep reading!

Today, over 8,000 synthetic chemicals are used to produce the clothing we wear every day. Over the years many of these chemicals have proven to be toxic and carcinogenic, so it’s no surprise that parents are becoming more conscious of what goes against their child’s skin. Some of these chemicals become part of our clothing from the very beginning, either as toxic pesticides (Cotton) or petrochemicals (polyester, nylon, acrylic). Processes like scouring, bleaching, dyeing, and finishing are all chemically intensive and have been proven to leave behind residues that cause rashes, allergies or worse. We don’t want to overload you with the scariest facts, but if you’re feeling brave have a look at this Greenpeace report on toxic chemicals in big brand children’s clothing. Otherwise, make sure to only buy from brands that share how their clothing is made, from fibre through to washing, dying and finishing.

It’s easy to forget that our children’s clothes were created by human hands, often in developing countries where labour regulations are at a much lower standard then in the Western world. By buying eco-friendly clothing, we can be assured that the makers are not getting exposed to toxic chemicals that are harmful to them and their families. It’s estimated that 77 million agricultural workers suffer poisoning from pesticides each year growing conventional cotton, while exposure to azo dyes has been associated with cancer in textile workers.

Synthetic fabrics such as polyester, acrylic and nylon on the other hand can take anywhere from 20 to 200 years to decompose. Many of us are already aware of the ever-growing textile waste problem our planet is facing - with landfills being piled sky-high, and brands burning excess inventory as they have nowhere to store it. When children’s clothing is through its useful life, it’s nice to know that it will naturally go away.

The environmental impact of producing conventional fabrics, applying non-eco dyes and using harmful finishing chemicals ultimately gets swallowed up by our oceans and air. The textile industry is responsible for 20% of all industrial water pollution worldwide. Textile factories often release their untreated chemical waste into rivers, which causes all sorts of problems for the people and animals that rely on it. Mother Earth looks after our children, so let’s together look after her.

For example, the Micro-TENCEL® fabric that we use at TAMGA is moisture-wicking, antibacterial and the number one choice for children with eczema. A loose fit and soft touch guarantee comfort throughout the day, even after many washes.