Carbon Neutral Lingerie

This week Marks and Spencers have unveiled the world's first carbon neutral bra. I couldn't help but be intrigued. To be honest I have never even considered the carbon footprint of my underwear. To me underwear is a bit of mine field at the best of times and although I enjoy nothing more than perusing the isles of lacy wonder I quite often finding the right style, shape and size to flatter can bring any self respecting girl out in a cold sweat (that is unless you are blessed with an Aphrodite like figure and sexual presence - please let me know your secret if that is you). So to then have to consider if that perfect set you have finally found has a dirty great carbon footprint is something even a self proclaimed environmentalist hasn't previously considered.

This whole concept of carbon neutral underwear has somewhat thrown me I have to admit. My first hesitation is over the word 'neutral'. This implies that there could still be considerable carbon associated with the manufacture of the bra which is just all 'offset', again another word that sits uncomfortably with me. They plan to 'offset' their carbon through a project planting trees in Sri Lanka - you can make up your own mind about whether this can allow them to call their bras carbon neutral. I am sceptical. Of course this is not the only efforts made to call them carbon neutral. They have claimed to reduced carbon from energy in manufacture by 33% so I would imagine that's a whole lot better than most lingerie producing countries. The Mail have gone into more detail on this side of things if you are interested.

So without being completely convinced on their environmental credentials are they pretty enough to make me want to buy them to make that sustainable girl feel just a little happier. The collection is made up of three bras, two styles of knickers and a suspender belt, all in white. They are pretty enough and would guess that only one style of bra or knicker would appeal so unless you are willing to wear the same set of underwear every day there is a some what limited choice. Having said that every girl can trust M&S for a good set of undies and with their renowned drive towards sustainability you may well come across me in the carbon neutral underwear isle. I vote we should go out and make this innovative product successful and you never know Ann Summers might be next... now there's a thought.