Eco-hangers for your green wardrobe

Think your organic cotton shirt deserves better than that wire hanger from the dry cleaner's? You're in luck -- because you now even have a few options to pick from.

The best option seem to be these EcoHangers (right). These hangers are made of 100% recycled paper -- and are 100% recyclable to boot. Plus, EcoHangers apparently hold up better than wire hangers in strength tests. And for dry cleaners or other businesses eager to promote their business, the hangers are customizable with your logo. Get them online: $8.99 for 12.

A second option is biodegradable hangers, which look much like plastic hangers. However, because these newfangled hangers only biodegrade under high temperatures in commercial composting facilities -- and because we don't have a composting system set up in L.A. -- the products are less than ideal, albeit better than  plastic hangers. My advice: Use them for a long time. You have a couple options here:

Wheatware Clothes Hangers (left). These hangers are made of U.S.-grown wheat! I have one of these in my closet; I got it as a parting gift from an eco-event. Cost: $4.95 per 5.

Earthsaver hangers (right). Made in the U.S. by Merrick, these biodegradable hangers are made of corn grown in the U.S. According to Sustainable is Good, Earthsaver hangers are available at Wal-Mart: $3.50 for 5.

As with all eco-goods, reducing and reusing comes first -- so if you already have enough hangers, it's greener to keep using those than to swap them all out for new ones. And if you have wire hangers, take them back to your dry cleaner's for reuse. My own dry cleaner Cleaner by Nature even has an easy-to-use recycling system set up in front of the store!

Comments

[Gary Barker]

Another great ecological hanger is our 100% recyclable Ditto Hangers [www.dittohangers.com]. Made from two of the world's most recycled materials: 100% Recycled Paper and 100% Recyclable PET Plastic (the same material water bottles are made of) our hangers stay in the materials loop and out of landfills.

They're award winning design and recyclability have made them a very popular solution for eco-conscious retail setting.

Gary Barker
CEO
Ditto Hangers
www.dittohangers.com