more information Accept. Organic cotton has shown the lowest impacts across all categories assessed, due to non-use of synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, the only additives being manures, and the soil quality being controlled by crop rotation. Organic cotton textiles, or fabric, are used in almost every product we sell at The Natural Sleep Store. And here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to rain for cotton to get wet and refuse to dry–sweat is enough to make it super uncomfortable (and unsafe). The Environmental Justice Foundation and Pesticide Action Network reported that conventional cotton uses more pesticides than any other single crop, thus dubbing it the world’s dirtiest crop. That’s because in order to be called organic, a requirement is that the cotton is grown without them. Organic crops saved 315,030 kg of chemical pesticides and 40.9 million kg of chemical fertilizers from soaking into soil and waterways (which damages ecosystems and erodes soil). Certified organic cotton is cotton that is expected to have been grown without fertilizers and pesticides, with practices that promote biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil health. These can pollute waterways or nearby land. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Organic cotton is better for the environment, the workers and the community. Organic cotton working alongside the Better Cotton Initiative is the most ethical and sustainable option if this fabric is to be used. It is a benefit that organic cotton uses less water, but even better than that is that the water is not contaminated or hazardous after the production process. As its cultivation and manufacturing process excludes the use of harsh chemicals, it avoids soil and water pollution and it protects the health of people involved in the manufacturing process. Organic cotton is grown without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides or fertilizers while chemical cotton is dependent on both. For outdoor pursuits, that means a higher chance you’ll get blisters if your socks are cotton, chafing and sagging if you’re wearing cotton shorts or shirts, and really heavy clothing and gear if any of it gets wet. All cotton biodegrades, but not necessarily in a sustainable way. Compared to conventional, organic cotton crops saved 92.5kg of C02 (the equivalent of driving a car around the world 13,572 times). You cannot always trust a second-hand source who may have chosen the “studies” that suit their stance on the matter. To be classified as organic, cotton must be produced free of all synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. They also explain that the real problem is water pollution. I'm not entirely sure why, other than perhaps to encourage buying organic? Whereas cotton, if it's not 100% organic, is grown with the use of a lot of pesticides and herbicides, most of which are known to be quite dangerous for our health. “Cotton batting does contain pesticide residues, if it is not organic, as it is not as processed as cotton fabric. Conventional cotton is often harvested by machines to keep up with the rush of high demand. Organic cotton is eco-friendly because it does not disrupt the natural processes happening in the soil, water, or air around the cotton field. But since conventional cotton still contains harmful chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers from its days as a plant (before it was a sundress), those chemicals will leech back into the soil and waterways as it breaks down. This extends to safety regulations, fair payment, and of course, the working conditions. Some arguments have claimed that organic cotton uses less water to produce one T-shirt than conventional cotton. Cotton, Inc. and Textile Exchange state that an organic cotton T-Shirt requires 86 gallons of water to produce versus 2,168 gallons for a conventional cotton shirt. Organic sheets, pillows, comforters, and even the outside of each mattress are all made from these high quality textiles. 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. The organic cotton is grown from the ground. However, because there is so much business for conventional cotton, they don’t need to charge an exorbitant amount for it. Organic cotton contributes less to global warming. Organic Cotton vs. Normal Cotton: What’s the Difference. The big question is whether or not it’s even better than conventional cotton? Yes, it contains no chemicals that could irritate your skin. Even though organic cotton may not match the yield of conventional cotton, it has proved to supersede the “benefits” of conventional cotton. In one year (2014-2015), organic cotton crops saved 288.7 million kilowatts of energy (the equivalent of a 60w bulb glowing for 549,314 years) compared to conventional cotton crops. No chemical pesticides, but natural pesticides based on leaves or fruit 2. | Powered by WordPress, By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. There’s no doubt that organic cotton is more environmentally friendly than conventional cotton; the numbers speak for themselves. And, the organization notes, not all irrigation necessarily uses a ton of water—drip … Evidently, this wastes a lot of energy and produces a large amount of greenhouse gases. Conventional cotton is often harvested by machines to keep up with the rush of high demand. There’s a lot of talk recently about water usage in the manufacturing process of the material. Organic cotton vs non-organic cotton: the conclusion Organic cotton is certainly better than conventional cotton, but it’s not the answer to all our problems. The basic necessities of soil, sun, water, and seeds are all used in growing organic cotton. Organic cotton features: 1. Traditional cotton uses a lot of water and harmful pesticides and chemicals. Organic cotton is more durable because as mentioned above, the hand-picking method preserves the longer fibers, keeping them intact and therefore stronger. Organic cotton is an essential material for someone who is trying to have a non-toxic lifestyle. But the most important benefit is protecting the ecosystem, reducing wastage of water, and ensuring a safer working environment for the farmers and manufacturers. These things all leave residues that can irritate the skin of chemically-sensitive people. Organic cotton is a sustainable and eco-friendly option to regular cotton. Alisha is a freelance writer and photographer based in Austin, TX. Therefore, the organic cotton growers have to charge more for their produce. GOTS certificate gives you the confidence that you’re buying truly organic cotton that is a healthy choice for the environment and for you. Conventional cotton is in high demand because of the large quantities needed for production worldwide. Greensnooze.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. It can sometimes feel overwhelming when trying to figure out which products are the best from an environmental standpoint. One key difference is that organic cotton products are made without toxic chemicals. These extra toxins and chemicals make conventional cotton risky. Instead of prompting growth with synthetic fertilizer, organic cotton producers use sustainable techniques, including crop rotation and manure-based fertilizer. Yeah, it tends to be more expensive, but we could all buy a little less, anyway. Conventional cotton is made soft by the chemicals, oils, and waxes added in manufacturing. Conventional cotton is made soft by the chemicals, oils, and waxes added in manufacturing. Organic cotton must also be produced completely free of genetic modification. If you’re interested in switching over to organic cotton products, take a look at our review of the best organic bedding brands for you and your little ones. The picking and manufacturing method gives us an indication of how durable the cotton will be. Although the natural fertilizers and products used in manufacturing may be cheaper, the economic market for organic cotton forces most farmers to have to raise the price. The reason cotton is grown with so many fertilisers and pesticides is because it’s such a sensitive plant. Organic cotton requires more space to grow the same amount of harvestable material, but even so, according to the. Organic cotton is not chemically treated to prevent shrinkage so it is possible to experience shrinking. They use more eco-friendly materials, and they do not pose any health hazards. Organic cotton needs less energy. This is largely because research indicates that growers of organic cotton typically rely more on rainwater than … According to the nonprofit organization Textile Exchange, 70% to 80% of organic cotton is estimated to be rain-fed rather than irrigated. When we talk about a product or company meeting “fairtrade” standards, this simply means that it promotes or complies with improving the living and working conditions of smallholder farmers and their employees. Both organic and conventional production systems offer the benefit of providing us with a natural fiber and their growing practices are similar. Organic cotton is also usually picked by hand. The machine-picked method damages the fibers. Many people suffer from the skin reactions or allergy symptoms these residues can have. It’s more sustainable and causes a lot less damage to the planet we call home. Second, during the manufacturing process, organic cotton is not bleached or treated with toxic chemicals. USDA Certified Organic Cotton vs GOTS Certified Organic Cotton As Mattress Ingredients - When you decide to buy organic cotton, even if it's just a pair of organic socks, you'd like to think you're getting a product that isn't saturated in chemicals or off-gassing known carcinogens. As you’ve noticed, there are a few major problems with the process of growing and manufacturing conventional cotton. It’s usually sized, all using natural oils to help in that process. Organic cotton, on the other hand, does not normally match the yield of a conventional cotton field. Some sources say organic cotton uses less water than regular cotton. Cotton in general, is a natural fiber that has many uses. It is a beautiful, quality, functional material all on its own. Your organic cotton t-shirt may have actually used up more resources to produce than one made of conventionally grown cotton, and could have a greater overall impact on the environment. The texture and breathable quality of the organic cotton will make it ideal for bedding even in the summer months. Worst of all, if it also happens to be cold, your chances of suffering from hypothermia increase exponentially if your clothes or outerwear get wet. Organic Cotton. No GMO seeds 4. When it comes to organic cotton vs. conventional cotton, the latter is dyed using a process that requires a high temperature. Organic farmers use beneficial insects over insecticide and utilize methods like crop rotation and composting for healthy soil instead of relying on synthetic fertilizers. According to the Pesticide Action Network UK, “cotton crops cover 2.4% of the world’s cultivated land but use 6% of the world’s pesticides, more than any other single major crop.”. Where is Organic Cotton From? It also uses far less water to grow since organic cotton growers typically utilize rain far more than irrigation. Organic cotton vs. Cotton: Feel . Sustainable Fabrics: Conventional Cotton vs Organic Cotton, https://textileexchange.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Textile-Exchange_Quick-Guide-To-Organic-Cotton_2017.pdf, https://www.soilassociation.org/media/11662/coolcotton.pdf, How to Repair Outdoor Gear – Basic Outdoor Gear Maintenance and Repair, BioLite CampStove 2 Review – Everything you need to know about the BioLite CampStove, Sleep in Your Car: A Prius Platform Build (with no backseats), Sustainability Spotlight: Knickey Organic Cotton Underwear, Sustainability Spotlight: A Q&A with Picture Organic Clothing, New Osprey Rook vs Osprey Atmos Backpack Review, Challenger K1 Kayak Review: Inflatable Kayak Review 2020, The Best Vegan Hiking Boots and Shoes of 2020. What is Organic Cotton? Safe working conditions for the workers. This makes organic cotton softer than conventional cotton because its fibers remain longer. That’s because cotton–organic or conventional–doesn’t dry quickly when it gets wet, especially if it’s cold outside. Plain weave, which is also called flat weave, means that the threads that run vertically and the threads that run horizontally cross each other one at a time. For instance, if you were to dry your organic cotton sheet in the dryer on a hot setting. Conventional cotton isn’t sustainable. Lots of brands tout organic cotton as better for the environment than conventional cotton. The climate, farming method, soil type, and weather history of the area all affect how much water the cotton farmer will use in that particular year. Many manufacturers claim their products are made of organic cotton, but they don’t have any certificates to prove it. Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants. But organic cotton is 80% rain-fed, which reduces pressure on local water sources. The usual cotton is machine-cleaned. Cotton, Inc. and. By avoiding the use of inorganic fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides or fungicides during the cultivation process, as well as harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde, during the manufacture it offers environmental benefits and follows human-healthy practices that we want to support by purchasing organic cotton products. The seeds may be genetically modified and the ground may have a large variety of chemicals added to it to supposedly aid in the yield amount and protection from disease or pests. She loves her tiny house, vegan food and experiencing the community of travel in far away places. They use a variety of natural products in manufacturing, including potato starch, low-impact dyes, and earth clays. Organic cotton. Because this specific question about the topic of water usage is so controversial, we’ve taken a look at both sides of the story and found legitimate study results to explain our answer. Although they try to rinse the cotton, they cannot get rid of all the chemicals. It’s as easy as that! Eco clothing is a challenging topic because we must weigh the pros and cons of each option, such as organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, silk, and others. Organic Cotton vs Cotton (Differences between Organic Cotton and Conventional Cotton) In contrast, conventional cotton growers have the full array of tools at their disposal, whether it’s insecticides to ward off pests or synthetic fertilizers to maximize yield per acre grown. Read More: What are the best organic pillows? In one year (2014-2015), organic cotton crops saved 218 billion liters of water. You can avoid shrinking as much as possible by following the care labels and air drying the products. We investigated so we could all make better choices when it comes to sustainable apparel. One advantage of cotton is that since it is a natural (not synthetic) fiber, it will biodegrade more quickly than, say, polyester or nylon, which is great! Organic cotton is much better than usual cotton. Organic cotton is untouched by chemicals when it’s spun into yarn. Read More: How to wash organic cotton bedding? The real issue to focus on is not which type of cotton uses less water, but which cotton contaminates the water. Here at Cat & Dogma, we choose organically grown cotton as the material to make our adorable, comfy baby clothes. No, it does not, unlike synthetic fabrics. BCI systems employ good cultivation practices like intercropping and reduce use of mineral fertilizers for cultivation. But what’s the difference? Conventional cotton is capable of irritating someone’s skin simply because of the chemical residues left after the manufacturing process. However, there are several differences between conventional cotton and organic cotton fibers. Then, you have to consider the location where the cotton is being grown. It should naturally become part of the ecosystem – not disturb it. The world’s leading producers of organic cotton are India, China and Turkey. Conventional cotton is the kind of cotton which is most widely used, also called “traditional” or “ordinary” cotton. Organic cotton is definitely better than normal cotton. Organic cotton is healthier because of the clean, non-toxic processes used in the processes of growth, harvesting, and manufacturing. Organic cotton is cotton that has been grown without the use of chemicals, pesticides, fertilisers or fungicides. That said, organic cotton garments are best reserved for casual dayhikes and day-to-day life, not trekking across Appalachia (or even a weekend backpacking trip). These things all leave residues that can irritate the skin of chemically-sensitive people. So avoid cotton for extreme adventures (whether that means extreme temps, distances, hours on the trail, or extreme weather), but when you do have to refresh your everyday wardrobe, when it comes to conventional cotton vs organic cotton, opt for organic. It can shrink up to 10% if it’s exposed to high temperatures. It seems to be the ultimate resource when it comes to choosing a non-toxic option for your clothing, bedding, or any fabric. Quality doesn’t come cheap! Try it today to feel the difference yourself. - Designed by Thrive Yes, because the natural fibers are longer, they allow for breathability while still maintaining the strength of the material. So check out our comparison of conventional cotton vs organic cotton and see for yourself which comes out on top. To untangle these often opposing statements and studies, we have to clarify the conditions. Organic cotton doesn’t use pesticides. According to the, Conventionally grown cotton requires an immense amount of water. Is organic cotton really that much more sustainable than conventionally grown cotton? At every stage of its life organic cotton is kinder to the earth in which it grows and everything that comes in contact with it. In a clear case of supply restrictions, hemps is much pricier than organic cotton and is often even blended with (hopefully organic) cotton to reduce its price tag. Sources: https://textileexchange.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Textile-Exchange_Quick-Guide-To-Organic-Cotton_2017.pdf, https://www.soilassociation.org/media/11662/coolcotton.pdf. All cotton is grown from the ground, so what makes organic cotton so special? Themes A textile is a woven or knit material made of natural or artificial fibers (yarns). On top of that, as organic cotton is softer than conventional cotton, it’s much more delicate on your skin, making it a great choice for people with sensitive skin, children and babies. Copyright text 2019 by Green Snooze. Organic cotton is generally understood as cotton from plants not genetically modified and that is certified to be grown without the use of any synthetic agricultural chemicals, such as fertilizers or pesticides. Want numbers? or not. Organic cotton is softer, hypoallergenic, and last for a long time. No harmful chemicals in the textile factories 5. If that wasn’t enough, these pigments often contain materials such as petroleum, or metal. Organic cotton produces around 46% less CO2e compared to conventional cotton. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. This is the first factor that reduces the quality of the finished product. When grown organically, the yield is … Conventional cotton yields (the amount of fiber per acre) tend to be higher than organic, creating a better return on land and water investments. To untangle these often opposing statements and studies, we choose organic cotton softer conventional... 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