Organic cotton fabric
First off know your organic cotton fabric from your conventional cotton
The only choice for the eco conscious consumer is certified organic cotton preferably Fair Trade approved. Cotton is used throughout your home in furnishings, bedding, towels and clothing. It is one of the largest trades globally. This is why sourcing ethically and ecologically friendly textiles is so important. View my other article for an explanation of
organic and green cotton
Description
♦ The world’s most common natural fibre, grown from the cotton plant.
♦ (BEST CHOICE) Certified organic, green, 100% conventional and cotton blends(WORST CHOICE).
♦ Fibres are available as natural or brushed finish.
Uses
♦ Textiles, bed linen, clothing, upholstery, curtains and soft furnishings.
Advantages
♦ Softer and more comfortable textiles and furnishings.
♦ Organic cotton fabric and untreated textiles are hypo allergenic and suitable for sensitive skin.
♦ Can be machine washed at 60 degrees Celsius (use 30-40 degrees Celsius for energy saving).
Disadvantages
♦ Natural habitats can be destroyed to grow cotton crops with conventional farming methods.
♦ Organic farming and production is more expensive than conventional methods.
♦ Avoid chlorine bleached cotton which contain dioxins that area associated carcinogens.
♦ Avoid cotton blends, which may contain synthetic fibres such as polyester - all associated with negative health effects.
♦ Avoid cotton with added chemicals e.g. stay press, stain resistant, water resistant (containing heavy metals, toxins, formaldehyde etc)
Embodied Energy
♦ Harvesting, processing and global transportation and distribution of cotton create high levels of CO2 emissions.
Source/Origin
♦ India, Africa and Americas (approx 80 countries).
Renewable
♦ As a plant, this is a renewable material.
Environment & Health
♦ Agriculture for conventional cotton is responsible for approx 25% of insecticides and approx 10% of all pesticides globally.
♦ Some types of chemicals used in agriculture are amongst the most toxic in the world.
♦ These chemicals wash off into the earth and groundwater causing land and water pollution.
♦ The health of farm workers is at risk from these toxins with unhealthy working environments.
♦ Approx 20,000 farm workers die each year from pesticide poisoning (WHO).
♦ Agriculture for conventional farming uses large amounts of water, typically from areas which suffer from drought seasonally.
♦ 5.5 kilos of chemicals are used for one acre of cotton grown.
♦ Half a kilo of chemicals are used to make one set of bed sheets made from 100% cotton.
♦ Organic farming focuses on ecology, socially sustainable communities and economics.
♦ Organic farming promotes bio diverse farming methods which keep the earth and land fertile and healthy e.g. annual crop rotation.
♦ Organic cotton is grown without the use of chemical and toxic pesticides, insecticides, herbicides or fertilisers.
♦ Organic farming methods uses natural insect repellents.
♦ Organic fibres are processed without the use of chemicals, genetically modified organisms, bleach or synthetic dyes.
Genetically Modified (GM) & Genetic Engineering (GE)
♦ In America along, more than 50% of seeds grown for cotton are genetically engineered.
♦ Bacteria are added to some types of seeds e.g. insect killing bacteria or herbicide tolerant fibres.
♦ The health and environmental effects are not yet known of these modifications to cotton seeds.
Performance
♦ Organic fibres performs as well as conventional; strength and properties.
Recyclable
♦ Post consumer organic cotton fabric waste can be recycled to make 100% recycled cotton fibres.
Disposal / Biodegradable
♦ Yes fully.
Ethics
♦ Farms and processing plants that work with the Fairtrade association uphold employees standards and rights.
♦ Organic farming methods promote healthier working environments without the use of chemicals and toxins.
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