Exciting in the sense that Greenfibers (previously loved by HippyShopper here and here) is the first UK company to have underwear (such as this for women and this for men) that are certified organic by the Soil Association.
Socks and underwear are, if I may get a little indelicate about the unmentionables, the most important clothing to have be organic from a health perspective. Non-organic cotton is saturated with pesticides for its entire life, then it is harvested and at the factory, treated with a whole new host of dyes and chemicals. Do you really want your reproductive parts wrapped up in the accumulated residue of all those poisons? When instead you can have something clean and pure (well, maybe a little impure thoughtwise but that's your business) - and comfortable and pretty and entirely ethical?
Organic cotton is just plain nicer feeling. It's softer and richer, more durable and more comfortable, in my experience. I have socks from Maggie's that are over three years old and still in excellent condition - in fact, I'm wearin' 'em right now. I treat my clothes horribly and these fabulous socks have stood right up to it and still look and feel great.
Cotton is a plant, just like bell peppers, and blasted with all kinds of chemistry experiments before it's done. The runoff is horrible, resulting in gender-bent fish, cancers and birth defects. Textiles alone are considered responsible for 25% of global pesticide use. Resulting in, as the Soil Association notes: "According to the WHO, 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. In Benin in West Africa, 24 people died as a result of poisoning from cotton pesticides in 2000 – this included 11 children under the age of 10."
Greenfibres Organic products were already certified in other countries, such as Germany and the Netherlands, but it only recently became possible to be certified in the UK under the Soil Association. The Soil Association is accredited by IFOAM (the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements).
Also take a look at Greenfibres certified organic towels and socks for men and women. After underwear, socks are the next most important - feet absorb whatever's put on them quite readily. Towels are another good one since post-bathe, your pores are innocently open to whatever evil transpires in the world - so be good to your skin!
[GT]
From: BEST OF 2008: Eco-friendy and sustainable shoes