Organic cotton is cotton from non-genetically modified plants, that was grown without use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers what can end up in the air, water, ground and food supply. Organic cotton production improve environmental biodiversity and promote balance of ecosystems. All cotton sold as organic in the USA must meet special requirements which are regulated by National Organic Program from USDA covering how the cotton is grown.
All organic cotton producers are required to meet standards of Organic Food Production Act of 1990, enforced by The State Organic Program.
The first organic cotton project started 1990 in Egypt. Today natural cotton is grown in over 22 countries. The leading countries in successful organic cotton production are:
1.India
2.Turkey
3.China
4.Syria
5.Tanzania
6.United States
7.Uganda
8.Peru
9.Egypt
10.Burkina Faso
Here are some facts about non-organic cotton (OTA):
oCotton covers 2.5% of the world's cultivated land
oConventional cotton uses approximately 25% of the word's insecticides
oNon-organic cotton uses more than 16% of the world's pesticides
oOver 2.03 billion pounds of synthetic fertilizers were applied to conventional cotton in 2000 (142 pounds/acre), making cotton the fourth most heavily fertilized crop behind corn, winter wheat, and soybeans.
oThe Environmental Protection Agency considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton in 2000 in the United States as "possible," "likely," "probable," or "known" human carcinogens (acephate, dichloropropene, diuron, fluometuron, pendimethalin, tribufos, and trifluralin).
oThe consumer suffers from chemicals in garments since non-organic cotton textiles irritate consumers' skin, as they can also cause neurodermatitis (chemical residues stay verifiable even in the ready-made garment).
oChemicals used in the cotton processing contaminate the environment and decrease it's biodiversity.
What products are made using organic cotton:
Personal care items (cotton puffs, feminine hygiene products, sanitary products, ear swabs, make-up removal pads)
Home furnishings (sheets, bedding, blankets, pillows, towels, bathrobes, tableclothes, napkins)
Clothes (men's, women's and children's clothing in a wide variety of styles)
Children's products (toys, diapers)
Stationery
Note cards
Don't forget about natural cotton seed which is used to feed animals. Oil which is derived from organic cotton seed is used in different foods such as chips, cakes and etc.
Where is no doubt that organic cotton growing practices are beneficial for both people and planet.
Some of benefits include:
Elimination of the pesticides and other toxic chemicals used in cotton
Reduced risk of people getting dangerous carcinogens from the cotton
Protection and conservation of environment
Increasing of biodiversity
Organically grown crops also yield soils with higher organic matter content, thicker topsoil depth, higher polysaccharides content, and lower modulus of rupture, therefore reducing considerably soil erosion
How fast is the organic fiber market growing? (OTA)
In 2006, organic fiber linens and clothing sales in the United States grew by 26 percent over the previous year, to reach $203 million, according to the Organic Trade Association's 2007 Manufacturer Survey. According to the 2006 edition of this survey, women's clothing accounted for 36 percent of total organic fiber consumer sales in 2005, amounting to $57 million in sales. Men's and child/teen clothing grew 56 and 52 percent, respectively, in 2005, while infant's clothing/cloth diapers grew 40 percent and accounted for $40 million in sales.
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