It’s Earth Day Weekend Folks!! Green Festival Expo 2016 kicked off in NYC this weekend at the LEED certified Jacob Javits Center. We attended the very first Green Festival in 2011, originally started by Green America, and we’re super proud to know that it is still live and kicking! Green Festival is the premier event for health conscious consumers and businesses alike.
It is the largest and longest running sustainability and green living event in America! The latest and greatest in ‘green’ were on display at this year’s Green Festival expo. One can appreciate the fact that green brands are being made more accessible to consumers. Green Festival has been making strides in accomplishing this mission.
The exhibit area was bustling with exhibitors showcasing their products and services. The green ambience was felt as musician and guitarist, JJ Ball Audio, greeted participants with electrifying, melodic tones near the main entrance. We can’t forget the neat plastic bag exhibit being worked on by two children near registration. It probably was the coolest and most creative artwork that we’ve seen of recent. They created a hanging wall and an enormous ball made from plastic bags. Their method: Braiding! Super sustainable and super-cool!
There were quite a few keynote speakers at this year’s Green Festival Expo. Keegan Kuhn was one of them! He is co-director of Cowspiracy—The Sustainability Secret, a documentary which explores the impact that livestock has on our planet.
Jeff Garner, founder and designer of eco fashion brand Prophetik, offered participants keen insight on how fashion can affect our health. We thoroughly enjoyed his discussion, even though we caught the tail end of it. Garner utilizes a very powerful and sustainable resource for the creation of clothing and intimates. This resource is called HEMP! The hemp plant is such a resourceful plant that has so many different uses.
During the Q&A session, one participant asked Jeff to expound on the use of bamboo within the fashion industry. There has been a significant increase in the use of bamboo by some designers because it is considered to be eco-friendly. Garner noted that even though bamboo may be seen as an eco friendly alternative, it is still on the cheaper end of the scale, with it costing about $3.00 per yard, compared to hemp fabric, which is around $10.00 per yard.
He also provided explanations centered on why individuals should be cautious of the clothing that they wear. If you aren’t aware, you should know that the fashion and retail industries utilize harmful practices when mass-producing goods.
Tons of harmful and dangerous chemicals like formaldehyde are usually involved in the production process. He disclosed to the audience that wearing man made fibers such as nylon, polyester and acetate can be detrimental to the environment and to the health of our global citizens.
Garner provided such great insight about sustainable and eco fashion.
GNG hopes to be able to see his designs in the near future. We're all here for a sustainable lingerie line.
Overall, this year’s Green Festival Expo was more than a delight to take part in. We love supporting green and ethical businesses and truly appreciate all that Green Festival is doing to make our earth a little greener!
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