However, I see no harm if you are not wearing bright dazzling colors; it is out of fashion too! © 2020 Organic Information Services Pvt Ltd. All the information on this website is for education purpose only. Using low external inputs that are locally available, organic allows farmers to work within their limits and with their environment, in a sustainable way. This spicy root is also good for mitigating obesity and relief from menstrual pain. Natural cottons are grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. The harmful effects of growing conventional cotton makes a strong case for organic cotton. Scaling up can be a problem, though. Organic cotton is a good sustainable solution, which is grown without the use of pesticides, from seeds which have not been genetically modified. A study carried out by the…. Here are some fabrics that are. When you tell them this, they will raise another point. Hazardous synthetic pesticides and fertilisers are banned in organic farming, so rivers, lakes and drinking water are kept cleaner too. Chemical-free agricultural land even stays fertile much longer than land which is hampered by the constant use of pesticides, so organic cotton farmers generally have a longer cotton commodity lifespa… Photo Credit: Shutterstock. As explained in this article, the organicness is in the “nature of the pesticides”, not the absence of them; however, this has changed and the regulations are revised constantly. Apart from being the top natural fiber in terms of its uses in cloth manufacturing. Fracked fashion. So, organic cotton is better than regular cotton in this regard. Read more! “Cotton can go into what’s called a ‘chemical recycling stream’ and that will break it down into its cellulose; you come [away] with a viscose-type product. Conventional cotton is the most pesticide reliant crop in the world, responsible for over 11% of global pesticide use each year 1. It isn’t completely eco-friendly, but organic cotton uses 91 per cent less water than regular cotton and it produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Organic Cotton can rightly be called the most skin-friendly, most soothing, and most harmless natural fiber. Organic Cotton is of far better quality than non-Organic Cotton. A big effort in the organic movement is to use growing systems that replenish and maintain soil fertility and build biologically diverse agriculture. Organic cotton does grow in North America, mainly in Texas, Arizona, Missouri, and parts of New Mexico (about organic cotton, 2016, Organic Exchange, 2017) During a 2016 to 2017 study led by the Textile Exchange the organic cotton market showed that only “495,948 bales of organic cotton were grown by 219,947 farmers on 747,647 acres” (textileexchange.org) . Producing organic cotton uses lower carbon due to lesser fuel and energy consumption. At least, so far. However, organic cotton — generally produced without synthetic chemicals, such as fertilisers and pesticides — is a different story altogether. Global Organic Cotton production jumped by more than 53% in 2006-2007 over that in 2005-2006, and then amazingly by almost 152% in 2007-2008. … This is due to the lesser production of Organic Cotton and higher prices of organic fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides. The Fairtrade Foundation mark also shows, Avoid cotton that has been blended with synthetic materials, including recycled, Most importantly, support brands who have committed to switching to organic. Organic Facts may receive a portion of revenues if you click on the sponsored ads and links by Google, Ezoic, or the Amazon Affiliate program. Conventional cotton is the kind of cotton which is most widely used, also called “traditional” or “ordinary” cotton. Now, the scenario has changed. Irrigation in … It can also be safely used in surgeries where contamination from any source can be fatal. Organic cotton farming keeps a healthy balance between pests and natural predators through healthy soil. Now (in the US) certain synthetic products are allowed by the National Organic Program. Organic cotton uses far less water too. By virtue of being fertiliser- and pesticide-free, the soil also acts as a ‘carbon sink’, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. Curcumin can also limit weight gain. Even with such impressive growth in production, the total Organic Cotton production is still falling short of meeting the global demand. Many consumers and parents also agree with this. Like conventional cotton, organic cotton is water-intensive to grow—although whether organic cotton uses more or less water than conventional cotton is a matter of some debate. Organic/herbal pesticides and insecticides are used. Explore Thought Indian National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP). For those who have just heard the name and want to know more or for those who have not heard of it yet, the following article should be very enlightening. Organic farming practices avoid using harmful chemicals while aiming for environmental sustainability and the use of fewer resources. According to the Textile Exchange, organic cotton creates 46 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional cotton simply by not using nitrous dioxide-releasing fertilisers and pesticides, and using fewer mechanised farming practices. This is GMO-free, does not use fertilizers and pesticides, and consumes less amount of water. Thought uses organic, natural, and recycled fabrics, including organic cotton. “When you mechanically recycle something, you tend to shorten the fibre lengths, which means the quality is not so good,” explains Truscott. There is one more problem and that is that Organic Cotton goods are not available in as many colors as the conventional cotton goods are. He has a keen interest in health, nutrition, and organic living. When not working he likes to trek and do gardening. Instead of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, organic cotton uses other natural methods for pest control and nutrient additives such as integrated pest management, and manure or composting. However, seeing the rate at which the production of Organic Cotton is increasing and more and more farmers taking to organic farming, situations will change, and prices will surely go down very soon. While some show severe symptoms, many remain asymptomatic. They will say that conventional cotton farming results in more production. Organic Cotton production uses so much less water than conventional cotton because the focus on healthy soils means that organic crops can rely more on the available natural irrigation and therefore significantly less blue water irrigation is necessary. At Organic Cotton Mart, we strive to make quality products from sustainable resources and minimize waste. Environment-Friendly It results from an agriculture and environmental friendly method. Today, Better Cotton accounts for about 12 percent of global cotton production (versus 0.5 percent for organic cotton), and it’s the majority of cotton being used by companies like Nike and H&M. Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Conventional cotton It’s a simple question without a straightforward answer. Therefore, even though the properties of organic cotton fibre are not as good as regular cotton fibre worldwide production of organic cotton is growing rapidly. While cotton can be recycled — and technically speaking, when untreated, cotton is biodegradable — the technology still needs to be improved. 4. You know, the higher the production and the more the demand, the lower per unit production cost, and the lower the prices. “The majority of organic cotton [is grown on] small-scale farms, which tend to be rainfed rather than irrigated,” explains Truscott, “and because you’re not using synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, you don’t need to use as much water.” Organic cotton doesn’t involve genetically modified crops, which generally require more water, while pesticide-free soil also makes the process more water-efficient. To increase transparency to the user, we provide reference links marked by numbers in parentheses in the copy of the article. Are direct-to-consumer brands the future for sustainable fashion? The cotton is from original plants, meaning plants that are not genetically modified and that have not been treated with any chemicals (washes, bleaches, colors, or scents) during its processing and packaging. Organic Cotton is cotton that is grown without using any chemical fertilizers or pesticides on it. Water usage for organic cotton is less — but it’s complicated. “We need them [to be] continuously improving.”, The defining look of 2020? Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. And organic cotton farming uses beneficial insects, biological cultural practices to control pests. Per sourcingjournal.com: The notion that chemical cotton uses less water than organic cotton is false … Taking a T-shirt [as an example] to produce it, conventional cotton would use 2,168 gallons of water compared to 186 for organic (a difference of 1,982 gallons). According to the WWF, it takes 2,700 litres of water to produce the cotton needed to make just one T-shirt. According to the nonprofit organization Textile Exchange , 70% to 80% of organic cotton is … 20 percent of industrial water pollution is due to textile dyeing and treatments, a figure that can greatly be reduced when factories adhere to textile standards such as GOTS. By now, we all know that cotton can be seriously damaging to the environment. Yes, there is the water consumption to think about, but carbon emissions, transportation methods and packaging along the supply chain must be considered, too. This makes organic cotton pads a cost-effective solution for your monthly routine. “We need the big companies to be investing in the supply and building demand,” adds Truscott. Ginger also helps boost bone health, strengthen the immune system, and increase appetite. Health benefits of hibiscus tea include its ability to control hypertension & reduce high blood pressure, lower blood sugar levels, & improve liver health. We choose organic cotton so that you can be sure that your shirts are not toxic to yourself or to those who had a hand in making it. Consult a medical practitioner for health problems. It is grown on land that has been treated and given sufficient time (at least three years) for the removal of all the toxic residues of chemical fertilizers and pesticides used earlier on it. In addition to textile products like underwear, socks and t-shirts, cotton is also used in fishnets, coffee … This is because there are not many shades of organic colors to color the Organic Cotton with and using artificial colors and dyes on it is out of question. Organic cotton is grown in a way that uses methods and materials that lessen the impact on our environment. As a result, an increasing number of fashion brands, from Stella McCartney to H&M, are championing the natural fibre. Its production is supposed to promote and enhance biodiversity and biological cycles. Organic cotton is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, which leads to better soil condition, lower greenhouse gas emissions, stronger biodiversity and better health for cotton growers. Its softness makes it a good option for formal and business wear, and its notable draping abilities make it an ideal fabric for dresses. But there’s not much of this [happening] yet.”, Hand holding Cotton for sale, Gujarat, India, Sorry, but not all cotton is eco-friendly. Here is the step-by-step method to use lemongrass. And, as for non organic cotton farming, insecticides and heavily used. Organic cotton is better for water than conventionally produced cotton. It has an enormous appetite for these toxic pesticides and fertilizers and is alone responsible for the consumption of more than 15% of the world’s total production of pesticides. Some people are of the belief (or they are made to believe by the promoters of conventional cotton) that conventional cotton has better quality than Organic Cotton. And crucially, what happens to the garment when you’re finished with it? The only thing that works against Organic Cotton is the price. For this, you will have to look out for green stems. Organic farming requires crop rotation and composting, which promotes soil health and helps lock CO2 into the soil, helping to mitigate climate change.²; Organic cotton does not use genetically modified seeds. According to the Organic Trade Association, organic cotton is grown without the use of toxic pesticides or fertilizers. He completed his B.Tech and M. Tech (Chemical Engineering) from IIT Bombay and has been actively writing about health and nutrition since over past 12 years. Organic cotton farmers working as a part of the Better Cotton Fast Track Program use 20 percent less water than their traditional peers. The Class of Certificate, the whereabouts of the certifying agency, details of contents are clearly indicated on the pack. Step 4. Organic cotton is grown without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and synthetic fertilisers. According to a 2017 report by the Textiles Exchange, organic cotton uses 91 per cent less ‘blue’ water (from groundwater and surface-water bodies, such as freshwater lakes and rivers) than conventional cotton. The entire list of reference links is also provided at the bottom of the article. Organic cotton promotes and enhances biodiversity and biological cycles and so is beneficial to human health and the environment. Photo Credit: Shutterstock. Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus Gossypium in the mallow family Malvaceae.The fiber is almost pure cellulose.Under natural conditions, the cotton bolls will increase the dispersal of the seeds. Images are provided by Shutterstock & our contributors. Because it goes through a chemical free production process, it also prevents water contamination. Organic cotton. Organic cotton production never uses GM seed. Among others, the specialty of Indian Organic Cotton is that all the cotton is hand-picked. It is costlier than conventional cotton. Egypt, a major cotton-producing nation, has performed a miracle. That was true even a few years ago, but not anymore. Organically farmed cotton employs nature-based solutions to manage pests and build healthy soil, instead of the synthetic pesticides, herbicides, defoliants, fertilizers and GMO seeds used to grow conventional cotton. How to get oil out of clothes? Organic cotton comes from plants that have not been genetically modified. Organic cotton farming is done without using pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, chemical fertilizers or any other chemicals. “And scale is still a challenge.” In fact, less than one per cent of all cotton produced is currently organic, meaning there is huge potential for improvement when it comes to how we make the fibre. Organic cotton is generally defined as cotton that is grown organically in subtropical countries such as India, Turkey, China, and parts of the USA from non-genetically modified plants, and without the use of any synthetic agricultural chemicals such as fertilizers or pesticides aside from the ones allowed by the certified organic labeling. Benefits of calamansi juice include bleaching the skin, detoxifying the body, aiding in weight loss & managing diabetes. Uses of Organic Cotton. Other than that, here are more benefits of wearing organic cotton clothing: 1. Affects adversely (as trees or forests are cleared for making space for farming), but not that much. It is the ideal material for protecting and cleaning newborn babies, particularly for making clothes, bandages, covering and cleaning wounds, baby crib beddings, baby clothes, towels, and thousands of such things. Think of a fiber that is non-allergenic, comforting, 100% plant-derived, soothing, has high absorbent properties, is a non-irritant, and has wide medical and industrial uses. But how sustainable is an organic-cotton T-shirt? Since cotton is highly breathable and absorbent, it is commonly used to make warm-weather clothing.