Turn Your Family Daytrip Green with Cotton

efore Indian summer finally winds down, families are spending less time indoors and taking advantage of warm, sunny days by bringing the fun to the great outdoors. And with gas prices soaring over $4 a gallon, new airline baggage fees, and the economy’s downturn, more of them are deciding to do it closer to home.

Staying closer to the nest doesn’t mean putting a damper on the festivities, and what better reason to plan the perfect day trip! Whether it’s a fun-filled day at the park or the beach, Mom, Dad and the kids can stay cool, comfortable and fashionable with cotton, and lend a helping hand to the environment at the same time.

Cotton is durable, versatile and easy-care, the perfect complement to the last of summer’s warm weather. In addition, it’s a natural fiber, unlike those itchy Mystery Fabrics™ garments with funny names. You’ll make an environmentally friendly move by keeping yourself and your family fashionably clad in cotton! So, go ahead – bring out those 100% cotton tees and polos, khaki shorts and cotton canvas baseball caps for the guys; and seersucker sundresses, twill skirts and natural cotton blouses for the girls!

If you’re planning an early-fall picnic at the park or even the backyard, start with a large cotton blanket to serve as the picnic table and get a few fluffy pillows for seating. The natural cotton fabric is comfy and can easily be thrown in the wash after use. But don’t stop there! Add cotton napkins and placemats as extra natural touches. The napkins can be easily cleaned and are biologically efficient since you reuse them over and over again for many family outings to come, meaning one less thing that will be discarded into landfills.

Whether summer’s final days whisk the family fun to the beach, a pool or lakeside, a large all-cotton tote stocked with the usual waterside essentials is a must. Include cotton blankets and all-cotton beach towels, the perfect accompaniments for time spent out of the water. A natural cotton tote is an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic bags (and even paper!). Most people are likely to dispose of a plastic bag after a single use, so that it immediately ends up in a landfill. With cotton bags, however, the uses can be endless – and they are much more durable: If they rip, they can be easily sewn up!

Our simple suggestions make it easy for the youngest as well as the oldest family member to have a positive impact on the environment. And cotton makes it that much easier!