Why Organic Cotton?

  ORGANIC CONVENTIONAL
seed preparation: Natural, untreated GMO free seeds. Typically treated with fungicides or insecticides. Possible GMOs.
soil preparation: Healthy soil through crop rotation. Retains moisture in soil from increased organic matter. Synthetic fertilizers, loss of soil due to mono- crop culture, intensive irrigation.
weed control: Healthy soil creates natural balance. Beneficial insects and trap crops used. Aerial spraying of insecticides and pesticides. Nine of the most commonly used pesticides are known cancer-causing agents.
harvesting: Natural defoliation from freezing temperatures or through the use of water management. Defoliation induced with toxic chemicals.
production: Warp fibers stabilized using double-plying or nontoxic cornstarch. Warp fibers stabilized using toxic waxes.
whitening: Safe peroxide is used. Chlorine bleaching creates toxic by-products, which are released into the environment.
finishing: Soft scour in warm water with soda ash, for a pH of 7.5 to 8. Hot water, synthetic surfactants, additional chemicals (sometimes formaldehyde).
dyeing: Low-impact fiber-reactive or natural dyes with low metal and sulfur content. High temperature containing heavy metals and sulfur.
printing: Low-impact, water-based inks and/or pigments with no heavy metals. Pigments may be petroleum based and contain heavy metals. Run-off spills into waterways, polluting streams.
fair trade: Social criteria in place to ensure safe, healthy, non-abusive, nondiscriminatory environment with living wages. No social screening. Possible child or forced labor used. Facilities may be unsafe and unhealthy.
marketing: Positive story can be told to differentiate you from your competitors. None. As awareness of organic advantage expands, increased potential for negative image.
price: Initial cost more expensive. Long-term advantages: priceless. Initially cheaper. Long-term impact on environment: devastating.