The Sustainable Benefits of Using Organic Cotton
While many consumers are familiar with the benefits of consuming organic foods and using organic products, the positive impacts of using organic materials in fashion are not as well known. The use of organic cotton over conventional cotton has many positive benefits for both the environment as well as the health of workers and consumers, which is why our products are made from 100% organic cotton.
Organic cotton is more sustainable than conventional cotton because it’s produced and certified to organic agricultural standards and utilizes natural processes rather than artificial assistants – like fertilizers, insecticides and other toxic chemicals. For cotton to be considered organic and certified by the USDA National program, it must be grown from seed that is not genetically modified (Non-GMO). Conventional cotton, on the other hand, is grown with genetically modified organism seed. While there are many benefits to using organic cotton, only about 1% of the world’s cotton is organic. The main benefits of using organic cotton include:
It’s environmentally friendly.
The chemicals used in conventional cotton farming are high in nitrogen and phosphorus, which are harmful to the environment. Because no chemicals are used to grow organic cotton and natural inputs like compost and manure are used instead, this process leads to reduced soil erosion and healthier soil overall. Additionally, healthy soil stores more carbon, which helps combat climate change. According to the Textile Exchange, organic cotton is 46% less harmful to global warming than conventional cotton.
It requires less water.
Organic cotton uses 91% less water than conventional cotton – a significant decrease considering it takes 2,700 litres of water to produce just one conventional cotton T-shirt. Because organic farming practices lead to healthier soil, the plants are able to make better use of water inputs. Many organic cotton farmers rely heavily on rain to water their cotton, instead of extracting large amounts of ground water.
It provides a healthier working environment for farmers.
Crops that are treated with pesticides, insecticides, GMOS, and other harsh chemicals can be harmful for farmers and workers during the growing process – thousands of cotton farmers suffer from pesticide poisoning every year. However, the organic farming of cotton protects farmers from harmful substances while also protecting water and food supply from pollution.
It’s healthier for consumers.
The chemicals used in conventional cotton farming can also wash into waterways, eventually making its way into farm animals and food. Additionally, non-organic cotton can cause skin irritations and rashes from chemical residue trapped in threads. Organic cotton is free from chemicals making it more comfortable to wear and not harmful to your skin.
It helps achieve sustainable development goals.
According to the Textile Exchange, organic cotton farming plays a big role in helping countries achieve their Sustainable Development Goals, which were adopted at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in 2015.
Sources:
Leave a comment