So what does a content label that reads “made with 100 percent organic cotton” really mean? In Anvil's case, it means we buy cotton from certified organic cotton farmers, who use no pesticides, fertilizers or genetically engineered seeds, in accordance with the USDA's National Organic Program (NOP). In our case, Anvil requires that the cotton gins and yarn spinners we use also be certified by independent third parties to NOP standards. And it means our organic fabric is always clearly identified and tracked through the cutting and sewing process. In other words when we say “made with 100 percent organic,”…we mean it!

How about neither? Each year Americans throw away some 100 billion plastic bags, typically made from petroleum or natural gas; its environmental impact is akin to dumping nearly 12 million barrels of oil. The story isn't much better for paper bags: the 10 billion used every year come from nearly 14 million chopped down trees. So what's an eco-conscious shopper to do? Check out Anvil's newest additions to its 14-product eco-friendly line—the 100 percent organic cotton tote and the recycled cotton tote. The bags, both of which will be available in a variety of colors, will be delivered to wholesalers by this fall, and industry-wide by January 2009. Now, that's what we call retail therapy.

1. Seeds are untreated and never genetically engineered.
2. The soil in which the seeds are harvested is strengthened through crop rotation, compost application and the use of cover cropping and mulch. It also retains water more efficiently because of the increased organic matter.
3. Weeds are removed physically instead of with toxic chemicals, and they are further controlled through cultivation and hand hoeing.
4. Pests are controlled through the use beneficial insects that are natural predators. Trap crops also may be planted, to lure some insects away from the cotton.
5. Harvesting relies mostly on seasonal freeze for defoliation and, on occasion, defoliation may also be stimulated through water management.
6. Anvil uses organic cotton that is certified by independent third-party certifying bodies to the USDA's NOP standard.
7. Gin, spinning, knitting and weaving machinery is cleaned out before use to avoid any contamination.
8. During dyeing and finishing, only chemicals and materials that meet organic processing standards are used. Anvil uses products that conform to the Ecological and Toxicological Association of Dyes and Organic Pigment Manufactures (ETAD) agreement standards.
9. During cutting and sewing, organic fabric is clearly identified and tracked.

Anvil is a proud member of the Organic Exchange, a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding organic agriculture, with a specific focus on increasing the production and use of organically grown fibers such as cotton.

Anvil's recycled fabric t-shirt line is made from pre-consumer fibers and clippings that are collected after the cut and sew process, sorted by color, blended, 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

Step 1 Textile waste or clippings are collected from several pre-consumer venues, primarily apparel.

Step 2 Clippings are sorted by color and chopped into a fine linty material called “shoddy.”

Step 3 Shoddy is then spun into a yarn that is used to produce fabric.

Step 4 The fabric is used to produce Anvil®Recycled tees.