My garment label reads: "fishnoodles made in USA." Until recently, I did not know that "made in USA" means that the garment is sewn in the US [check; mine are] AND that the fabric was also milled in the US [Oh, really? Doh!]. I have always purchased from US sellers but did not know to ask and have not kept any records about where the fabrics were actually milled. But beyond legalities, why should this matter to anyone? In 1989 and 1990 I had the opportunity to travel in East Germany and Poland, just before and after the fall of the Wall. The environmental destruction we saw was heartbreaking - forests of dead trees, polluted unswimmable rivers and lakes.
Now think about China: remember how some athletes refused to participate in the Beijing Olympics due to the severe air pollution? Textile production has the potential to be a very polluting undertaking. I have no way of knowing if factories in "emerging markets" (where 60% of the world's fabrics come from; 40% from China) are following good environmental and labor safety practices - though we have reports of situations such as rivers running red with dumped dyes. But I do know that in the US we have labor laws, human rights laws, a Clean Air Act and a Clean Water Act.
As my business grows, I want it to grow better, not just bigger. So I've just ordered new organic cotton and bamboo fabrics for my Solo Flyer AIOs from a mill in the USA.
Buying from US sources is something I'll be looking at with every future step of fishnoodles. Sure, imported fabric is cheaper. But I didn't get into cloth diapers just to save money (over buying disposables) -- thinking a few generations ahead matters too. How sad will today's Chinese children feel as adults, when they see what has become of their land in its rapid industrialization?
