Tencel® is the brand name owned by Lenzing Fiber for the fabric lyocell. It’s made of cellulose from wood pulp that is chemically broken down then reformed as long fibers in a spinneret. The wood comes from sustainable tree farms (Tencel® is made of eucalyptus) which require neither artificial irrigation nor pesticides, and while sometimes toxic, the chemical solvent used is 99.5% recovered and recycled. The waste that is produced during manufacturing is minimal and is considered harmless. It’s biodegradable, requires no bleach and is usually completely degraded in just eight days in a waste plant. So what’s the catch? Lyocell is hard to dye, so depending on the manufacturing company, various chemicals, enzyme baths and dye processes that may be toxic (and irritating to sensitive skin), are used. It is also hard to find and is fairly expensive to buy. But is  it better than cotton and thus, worth it?

Conventional cotton farming is one of agriculture’s most environmentally destructive activities. It takes an enormous toll on the planets air, water, and soil, and significantly affects the health of people living in cotton growing areas. Organic cotton farming, on the other hand, is largely safer by using methods designed to eliminate the need for pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. It’s a growing trend that makes organic cotton fabrics easy to find and cheaper to buy.

So is lyocell better than cotton? Make you own informed decision and shop smart.

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Raising chickens in your yard can be a great source of renewable protein, a good way to aerate and fertilize the soil, and a source of entertainment and responsibility for the kids. But what if your neighbors don’t like it? That’s exactly the debate going on in Missoula, Montana, as the local populace debates whether cityfolk should have the right to raise chickens. The smell and noise seem to be the two strongest arguments against chickens, but with no rooster and small numbers, those two factors seem to be a minimum. How many chickens is too many? How would you feel if your neighbor had chickens in their yard?

While I’m fascinated by the idea of farming fish in the basements of condos, I’m not entirely convinced this is better for the environment. An Israeli scientist has come up with a way for people to farm fish in confined spaces, eliminating some of the dangers of heavy metals in fish and avoiding over-fishing. I’m not entirely convinced this is a better approach, especially considering the engineered relationship between microbes eating the fish waste. An additional “advantage” is methane gas production used for biofuel – somehow creating more methane isn’t exactly what most environmentalists tend to be after. There’s currently a live demo in Baltimore, with hope of funding in the near future. Watch the video and read more about farming fish in your basement.