The search for organic products began in the food industry and has reached the textile and fashion industry.
Organic cotton is increasingly becoming a desired soft goods fabric based on the environmental benefits. The
organic requirements sustain the health of soils, ecosystems and people using natural processes rather than
artificial inputs:
- Organic cotton sustainably and ethically produced is a perfect alternative to conventional cotton.
- Conventional cotton covers 2.5% of the world’s cultivated land but uses 10-16% of the world’s pesticides
(including herbicides, insecticides, and defoliants), more than any other single major crop.
(OrganicCotton.Org)
- Organic cotton is a cotton that is produced and certified to organic agricultural specified standards.
- Organic cotton is defined as cotton that is grown organically from non-genetically modified plants without
using synthetic agricultural chemicals found in fertilizers or toxic pesticides. Organic cotton promotes and
enhances biodiversity and biological cycles.
- In the U.S., it is required by the law that any producer wanting to label and sell a product as “organic”
must meet the standards established by the Organic Food Production Act of 1990, enforced by The State
organic program (SOP). (OrganicCotton.Org)
Genuine cotton certification is necessary to guarantee that the cotton is 100% organic and sustainable.
The certificate with highest environmental and ethical standards is the “Eko Sustainable Textile Standard”
certificate. Organic cotton textiles that are produced under the GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)
can only avail this certificate. It not only includes environmental standards but also social standards.
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the worldwide leading textile standard for organic fibers,
including ecological and social criteria. Benefits of growing organic cotton:
- Eliminates the use of toxic pesticides and fertilizers.
- Prevents contamination of water
- Drinking water remains clean and safe.
- Preserves Biodiversity eliminating toxic chemicals and insecticides.
- Contributes against Global Warming
- Reduces Nitrogen emission into the atmosphere.
- Produces 94% less greenhouse gas emissions.
- Reduced impact on air pollution
- Reduces soil erosion and creates healthy soil.
- Removes carbon-dioxide from the atmosphere.
- Uses 88% less water to grow.
- Uses 62% less energy.