GOTS News

 

 

Goodwill Outlet bin with Ice Queen materials in foreground.

 

"The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) was developed through collaboration by leading standard setters with the aim to define world-wide recognised requirements that ensure organic status of textiles, from harvesting of the raw materials, through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing up to labelling in order to provide credible assurance to the consumer.

 

Since its introduction in 2006 the Global Organic Textile Standard has already demonstrated its practical feasibility. Supported by the growth in consumption of organic fibres and by the remarkable demand for unified processing criteria from the industry and retail sector it has gained universal recognition, enabling processors and manufacturers to supply their organic textiles with one certification accepted in all major markets. With the introduction of the logo and labelling system the GOTS has already visually entered not only the shelves of natural textile shops but also of the largest retailers and brand dealers. This is a milestone in consumer recognition and a strong acknowledgement of this reliable quality assurance concept."

 

As this organization doesn't mention the post consumer phase; i have my concerns.

 

When setting up production standards, the afterlife of textiles needs to be factored  into the equation; else it is in effect another, albeit greener, form of privatize the benefits and socialize the problems and risks.

 

Leaving the responsibility of demand (force fed by an industry that preys on our suseptible, egos, preaches "keeping up appearances" and how best to follow fast moving trends while hoisting the faux esteem building banners,  "you are worth it," "you desrve the best" ya-da, ya-da, is as old skool as the issues that created the problems this agenda is apparently trying to remedy. Without digging up the roots, the weed returns, sometimes bigger than ever.

 

As long as "not my department, job description, mission focus," are accepted cultural mantra these and other similar quaint phrases, will continue to limit our capacities to generate change. The construct defines the beliefs which define the outputs. Ta-da we did good, as defined and restricted by our "reality," therefore we can feel good and not take too big a risk. As this equates with personal development plateaus and that usually means being stuck in the drama we have yet to  understand, then it is time to learn and get over the hump.  We can do this!

 

Because really, isn't this just negligence of another form?  Overt production processes that endanger the planets hosting capacities are not "more evil"" than the post consumer waste damages. Full product lifecycle measures need reconciling with what we agree to be present or not in the new economic models.

 

Changing the whole of "business as usual" upsets some people, so i am guessing we aren't as heroic as we wish we were. (I know we wish for heroism because we tell those stories- a lot)

 

 Or do we take small bites because we have been conditioned to think and act small because (swallow hard, my dears) "Change Takes a Long Time."  (Yup, long enough for the "industry leaders" to gobble the pioneers and prophets and then resurrect them under their own logo or LOGOS)

 

 FYI: Recycling will not "fix" this problem. Without changing the means (banking system) and ways, of the standard western economic model, we will not outrun the monster.

 

FYI: Technology is nowhere nearly as efficient as the natural services. History tells us our "fixes," especially when generated by the need to profit, have resulted in horrid side effects. We have enough evidence to understand that if we pursue this "warfare" approach any longer, we all will lose. Even "winners" are losers here - think psychopathic karma (Social Intelligence by D. Goleman) 

 

It is time to open up and embrace our place in the whole of life. Embrace the quantum field of energy and realize how we, each of us, are truly unique and yet just a part of something bigger. We are a part of an amazing living universe..and more.

 

 

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