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Clothing With a Conscience

St. Albans, Vermont - April 7, 2008

You may not have heard of JC Image before, but you've probably seen their products. The company prints clothing and tee shirts with the Vermont logo that goes into hundreds of stores across the state.

"We're getting ready to go. Spring is busy; we'll be working more hours than normal," says the company's Jay Cummings.

It sells about $1 million through the Vermont teeshirts and work it does for companies who want their logo on items. But owner Jay Cummings wanted to tap into a new market: the green market.

"Vermont is ranked number one in the country as the greenest state and the tourist comes to Vermont to expect that," says Cummings.

So JC Image launched a new line of printed clothing and products; made on organic cotton, with biodegradable products, and ink that's not as harmful to the environment. It costs several dollars more to the consumer than regular cotton, but the price difference has come down over time.

"Before people were somewhat asking for it a little bit but now it's a demand, they want it, they don't want anything else, they want organic and recycled," explains Cummings.

While launching its new clothing line the company also decided it made good marketing and environmental sense to make the shop match its new green image by buying more efficient equipment, energy efficient lighting and buying renewable energy to power the shop.

"I hope we'll be perceived as a green company-- someone people will like to do business with," says Cummings.

A company helping tourists and Vermonters buy into an idea while helping the bottom line and the environment.

"I'm thrilled," says Cummings. "It's been awhile since I've seen a homerun like this."

Kristin Carlson - WCAX News