Organic Cotton

 
Because of its purity, organic cotton fabric is softer, hypoallergenic, comfortable, breathable, and warming or cooling to the human body.

How much organic cotton is grown globally ?

In 1999, approximately 14,752 metric tons (67,765 bales) of organic cotton were grown in 17 countries. That year, Turkey surpassed the United States to become the leading producer of organic cotton in the world. Turkey’s production represented 41 percent of all organic cotton, compared with 34 percent from the United States, 13 percent from Africa (primarily Uganda), 8 percent from India, 4 percent from Latin America (primarily Peru), and Israel (less than 1%).

How is the apparel industry involved with organic cotton ?

Apparel companies are developing programs that either use 100% organically grown cotton, or blend small percentages of organic cotton with the conventional cotton they buy. In 1997, large apparel companies purchased 2.15 million pounds of organic cotton, which eliminated an estimated 43,000 pounds of pesticides and 485,190 pounds of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer.

Over the years there has been gradual increase in developing and executing products manufactured by using organic cotton.

What kinds of products are made using organic cotton ?

As a result of consumer interest, organic cotton fiber is used today in every thing from personal care products (sanitary products, make-up removal pads, cotton puffs and ear swabs) to home furnishings (towels, bathrobes, sheets, blankets, bedding), child accessories (toys, diapers), clothes of all kinds and styles (whether for lounging, sports or the workplace) and even stationery and note cards. In addition, organic cottonseed is used for animal feed and organic cottonseed oil is used in a variety of food products, including cookies and chips.

Why Organic Cotton ?

Cotton is the second largest agricultural use of pesticides in the world. Twenty-five percent of the worlds insecticides and more than ten percent of the worlds pesticides are used on cotton. The worst part is, not all of those pesticides stay on cotton fields. It is estimated that only twenty five percent of pesticides sprayed from a crop duster actually hit the crop. The rest drifts for miles and land on other food crops and residential areas.

Make no mistake : these pesticides are harmful. Five of the top nine pesticides used on cotton are classified as cancer causing chemicals (cyanide, dicofol, naled, propargite). According to a 1997 study by the International Labor Organization, 14% of all occupational injuries in the agricultural sector and 10% of all fatal injuries can be attributed to pesticides.

It takes one pound of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to conventionally grow the three pounds of cotton needed to make a T-shirt and a pair of jeans.

Now, we have a clear perspective as to why thousands of people choose to go organic.