Organic Cotton

What are the differences between organic cotton and traditional cotton?

Organic cotton is cotton that is grown, processed and certified paying the utmost attention to the environment, the ecosystem and people's health. This type of cotton is processed organically, from the selection of the seed to the finished product, while traditional cotton is processed with chemicals, such as pesticides and herbicides, as well as using genetically modified seeds, thus polluting and compromising the ecosystem and in some cases even human health.

The Seed

Traditional cottonseeds are treated with fungicides and insecticides, and they are usually genetically modified seeds.

Organic cotton seeds, on the other hand, are not treated with chemicals and the use of genetically modified seeds is prohibited.

Cultivation

Traditional cotton is grown through the use of chemicals, massive doses of insecticides, pesticides and herbicides are used, administered to plants by air, this contributes to the formation of air and soil pollution, causing problems for the 'ecosystem. Furthermore, due to these intensive cultivation and the use of chemical fertilizers, the soil becomes impoverished, as there is no rotation between the crops, this leads to an increasingly intensive use of water and chemicals for cultivation, damaging even more. the environment.

Organic cotton is grown without the use of chemicals, weeds and plants harmful to cultivation are manually eradicated and pest control is carried out naturally through beneficial insects for plants that act against potential parasites. Organic farming systems reintegrate and maintain fertile soil, through crop rotations and natural fertilizers, this implies a lower supply of water to the cultivation and a naturally more fertile soil.

It is estimated that the water consumption of an organic cotton crop is 90% lower than that of a traditional crop.

Harvesting

Traditional cotton is harvested by machinery that during the process damage the fibers and affect the purity of the product. In this way, shorter and more fragile fibers are obtained, which have impurities, thus having a less lasting product and less pleasant to the touch.

Organic cotton, on the other hand, is harvested by hand to preserve the length and purity of the fibers, thus obtaining stronger and longer fibers, as they are not weakened and damaged during the harvest, thus making the product more resistant and soft.

Processing

Traditional cotton is processed through the use of chemicals in which heavy metals, chlorine and chemical dyes can be found, the residues of which remain present in the finished products, and coming into contact with the skin could cause adverse reactions, such as dermatitis or irritation. , in subjects with intolerances and allergies. Furthermore, these chemical treatments affect the integrity of the fibers even more, consequently the fabric will be less soft and less durable over time.

Organic cotton is not treated with chemicals, but natural water-based or clay-based dyes are used, less aggressive on the fibers and the skin, making the fabric hypoallergenic, soft and long-lasting.

Certification

To be sure that a fabric is made from organic cotton, you need to look at the certifications that the fabric has. One of the most comprehensive certifications is the GOTS, or Global Organic Textile Standard, certification; this certification not only focuses on ecological criteria, but also focuses on social criteria.

To obtain this certification for a fabric, strict environmental criteria must be followed such as the prohibition of using toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, aromatic solvents, GMOs and other enzymes, the prohibition of using chlorine-based bleaches and the use of azo dyes, as well as to other conditions on the purity of the fibers and on the disposal of waste water.

In addition to the criteria for the environment, health criteria must also be met, in fact, the fabrics must not have traces of harmful and harmful substances for humans.

Furthermore, all stages of processing must meet the minimum social requirements as established in the fundamental standards of the International Labor Organization, such as safe and hygienic working conditions, adequate wages, no hostile or inhumane treatment, no exploitation child labor and no discrimination.

Conclusion

So let's summarize the benefits of using organic cotton:

• Lower environmental impact
• Lower water consumption
• Greater purity of the fibers and therefore greater durability and greater softness of the fabric
• Protection of the health of workers and communities adjacent to the cultivation areas
• Protection of air and soil
• Ecosystem protection
• Hypoallegenicity of fabrics