Eco-Icons

Modern apparel manufacturing can use harsh chemicals, pesticides and sweat-shops in the production process. Here at Born of Water, we are committed to protecting the environment by using alternative and green methods of manufacturing to minimize pollution, our carbon footprint and the impact on planet Earth.

All Born of Water products are created using a combination of sustainable crops and industries, natural or recycled materials, and eco-friendly processes.
These correspond to the following easily identifiable icons.

Sweatshop Free

Sweatshops are manufacturing facilities, typically characterized as having poor working conditions, violations of labor law, long hours, and low wages. By buying sweatshop free clothes, you are helping eradicate the conditions that exist in sweatshops.

Around the world, people have become more aware of the issues of sweatshops and the exploitation of the people working in them. Born of Water is dedicated to doing our part to stamp out sweatshops. By only purchasing products made in the USA or from companies certified by sweatshop free watch organizations, Born of Water ensures our products follow the necessary guidelines that promote sweatshop free work environments.

Awareness of sweatshop practices, has led to boycotts of a number of major brand labels. The resulting loss of sales is the only thing that these corporations fear. At Born of Water we believe it is up to both the public and the corporations to end this imbalanced depravity. Buying sweatshop free clothes is one way that you can help combat sweatshops.

Water Based Screen Printing

There are two main inks used in screen printing, platisols and water based. Many companies use plastisols due to their ease of use. But plastisol inks contain phthalates and liquefied polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which can pose a threat to the environment. At Born of Water we use water based inks, which don’t contain any of the dangerous compounds found in plastisols, and thus do not pose a threat to the environment.

In addition to being better for the environment, water based inks provide a higher quality finished product to you, our customers. Unlike plastisols which leave an image with a plastic like feel water based inks are absorbed into the fibers becoming one with the garment. This allows the garment to maintain it’s breathability, and it can also be ironed without melting the image.

Water based inks can be printed on anything from T-shirts to hats and are safe for all printables.

100% Cotton

People have used cotton for thousands of years. It is one of the oldest used fibers and remains today as one of the most popular. Cotton is a wonderful natural fiber that is lightweight, soft and durable. We offer a variety of cotton products from standard cotton and the soft 100% ringspun cotton to the best certified organic cottons that are super soft and pesticide free.

When cotton is combined with water based screen printing you get the best possible adhesion, the brightest colors and the softest feel to the T-shirt or garment.

100% Certified Organic Cotton

Organic cotton gives users all the benefits of cotton while helping to protect the environment. Often cotton like many other crops is grown using pesticides and fertilizers, but organic cotton is grown using natural methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems are better for the soil; replenishing and maintaining fertility. By reducing or eliminating the use of toxic pesticides and fertilizers, organic farming is better for everyone, from water systems, to wildlife to farm workers and end consumers.

Cotton sold as organic in the United States must meet strict federal regulations covering how the cotton is grown. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic producers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production. In addition, federal regulations prohibit the use of genetically engineered seed for organic farming.

Made From Recycled Materials

Recycled shirts and recycled garments can be made from a blend of new raw materials or with 100% recycled materials. Recycled clothing is the ultimate in earth conscious clothing and uses the lowest carbon footprint and has the least impact on the earth.

Apparel produced from recycled materials can be made in a couple of ways. One of these ways is from pre-consumer fibers and clippings that are collected after the cut and sew process. These are then sorted by color, blended, and finally spun and knit into new fabric.

There are numerous benefits to recycling discarded fabric cuttings to make new T-shirts, including:

• The discarded fabric is not sent to a landfill as waste.
• The recycled fabric made from pre-consumer cuttings requires no new dying, saving energy, water and other manufacturing resources.
• No land use, no water intensive irrigation, no fertilizers or pesticides as are used in growing new cotton

Another method used is by utilizing recycling plastic PET bottles. PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate. It is one of the most commonly used plastics in the world. The majority of PET is used in containers for beverages, cooking oil, and peanut butter. PET can be recycled for use in clothing, carpets, sleeping bags and more.

The process begins at your the recycling depot, where the plastic bottles are sorted and sterilization. The bottles are crushed and then chopped into small pieces know as “flake”. These tiny pieces are then melted down to create fibrous, polyester strands. . The strands are crimped and cut into short pieces that can be knitted and woven into fabric. The fabric can then be made into fleece, shirts, bags, caps, etc.

As with recycling discarded fabrics, there are numerous benefits to recycling PET bottles to make new T-shirts, including:

• The discarded plastic is not sent to a landfill as waste.
• No land use, no water intensive irrigation, no fertilizers or pesticides as are used in growing of new cotton replaced by the recycled PET bottles.
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions for fabric manufacturing and slashes energy consumption.

Portion of Proceeds Donated to Charity

Did you know that one shirt can help change the world?  Ours Can!  Support your favorite charity in style with custom charity T-shirts from Born of Water. Charity T-shirts help your group stand out and promote a cause that’s close to your heart.T-shirts and apparel marked with this icon designate that a portion of the shirt proceeds is donated to charities and worthy causes.

Born of Water wants to help promote awareness of important charities and causes on all levels.
Have a cause that you would like Born of Water to support? Get in touch with us at 800-661-9352 or drop us an email.

Have a great cause or campaign, but no ideas on what the shirt should look like? Let Born of Water create a stylish, customized T-shirt to help you promote your charity.