Organic Cotton

Cotton fabric does not come about naturally, but is grown and processed from seedlings of the cotton plant, a shrub common to many parts of the world. Cotton has woven itself into practically every society alive on Earth, and shares a unique symbiosis with us humans. Cultivated in all four corners of the world, close to half the world’s clothing is made from its fiber. Traditionally eco-friendly textile, cotton can still leave a fair amount of environmental damage when farmed conventionally.

In order to increase production, cotton fabric production has incorporated pesticides, detergents, bleach, brightening agents and equalizers in its life cycle. Dangerous to both surrounding ecosystems, these substances quickly move from factory to water supply, food chain and top soil. According to the World Health Organization, conventional cotton farming produces enough toxic pesticides to be responsible for over 20,000 deaths a year in developing countries, while farmed cotton has been shown to harbor contaminates including Ethephon, Malathion, Trifluralin, Acephate, and Glyphosate isoproylamine, potential carcinogens. Conventionally farmed accounts for over 20% of global pesticide use while only occupying 3% of the worlds irrigable soil.

Organically farmed cotton needs much less in the way of soil irrigation than conventional cotton does, relieving pressure on water resources. Aside from pesticide and chemical concerns, sheer water economics and savings is cause enough to encourage the transition to organic and sustainable practices. Cotton is a crop used primarily for textile and clothing manufacture rather than human consumption, yet the environmental damage conventionally farmed cotton inflicts on is too extensive not to be deemed hazardous, and with over 80 countries involved in cotton production, its cultivation too widespread not to be seen as epidemic.

It hasn’t always been like this. The use of industrial chemicals in cotton production as a practice is only about 50 years old, making it a relatively new development by human standards. The need for a change from conventional to organic cotton farming is overwhelming, and not just for those directly involved in the process. Animal, mineral, or vegetable, few are spared from the effects of cotton textile production.

Organic farming can make a difference in the health standards of garments. Chemical use in the industrial process of textiles emits untold pounds of airborne pollutants into the atmosphere each year, but can also leave harmful residues in the fabrics of wearers garments. The largest organ in the body, the human skin breathes and metabolizes, drawing from its surroundings. Organic cotton fiber is not exposed to any astringent chemicals, and lets the skin breathe freely.

With consumer consciousness on the rise, organically grown cotton is quickly gaining traction and viability in the marketplace. National brands like Anvil and Fruit of the Loom, as well as more boutique shops like Econscious and Hae Now offer organic options at a price point that makes them realistic alternatives to their conventional counterparts. Slowly but surely, as consumer shows a willingness to pay slightly more for organic apparel, the market will grow, economies of scale will take hold and the price difference for organics will negligible. At that point will there be any question as to the appropriate choice – organic or conventional?