I grew up and live in beautiful Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. We love our warm humid temperatures. So, cotton is the fabric of choice here because it’s breathable and light.
Conventional cotton is everywhere. In our bath towels, beach towels, table clothes, bedding, t-towels, general clothing,T-shirts, underwear and more. I was horrified to find that a fabric so loved and desired, because it’s a “natural” fiber, could be so devastating to the planet and directly effect our health.
Conventional cotton is chemically dependent, hooked on pesticides and
fertilizers to grow and accounts for 10% of all agricultural chemicals, and 25% of all
pesticides used worldwide every year.
One T-shirt = 0.4 kg of cotton which draws on 2000 litres of water.
One T-shirt can have 150 gms or 1/3 of a pound of pesticides in it.
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Certified Organic Cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment.
Less water is used to grow organic cotton but it is a thirsty crop.
The most environmentally and economically sustainable cotton is a
rain-fed crop grown in sub-tropical countries with good rain fall.
Areas of India, Peru, Tanzania, and USA, and Australia, are just a few, out of
24 countries world wide, who now grow Organic Cotton.
The production systems of organic cotton:
are labour intense with a hands on approach to pest control
replacing the need for toxic pesticides;
they minimise the use of fertilizers and replenish & maintain soil fertility.
All of this means:
no harm to the earth, no harmful chemicals, no harm to the growers, no toxic water waste, no harm to the millers, no harm to the manufacturers, no harm to all of us who wear organic cotton.
It's a moral fiber!
I would love to know your favourite cotton item and why you love them?
