An excellent alternative to wearing usual cotton is organic cotton. That is why we chose the fiber to give you super-soft undies to wear.
But what makes organic cotton sustainable? There have been many debates online about how efficient the crop is. Further, people have been wondering if it is suitable to use in mass production.
We brought together some of the main points to help you determine how sustainable organic cotton is.
Organic Cotton Sustainable Credentials
Many people believe that organic cotton is in contrast with the same growing systems used as non-organic cotton. However, organic cotton has loads of sustainable credentials, making it a worthy choice to buy, especially for an environmentally conscious person.
Here are some of the key points:
Organic Cotton Uses Less Water
The natural fiber, compared to your non-organic thread, uses much less water. The WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) found to produce one cotton t-shirt with non-organic cotton takes up to 2,700 liters of water. Organic cotton only needs 243 liters when doing a soil association.
Compared to conventional cotton, natural fiber grows with rainfed water, and farmers do not take water from the rivers or lakes. As the cotton grows on a small scale, the farms implement irrigation systems that use less water.
Using rainfed water is better as it does not impact the local community’s water supplies or lessen their natural reserves. For this reason, organic cotton is one of the best fibers available compare to some other threads.
Fewer Pollutions Takes Place
Compared to non-organic cotton farming, there are no harsh chemicals such as herbicides or pesticides in their production. During the growing and manufacturing process of regular cotton, the chemicals end up in the rivers and lakes, causing pollution in the environment. That is why choosing organic cotton fiber is so much better for your health and preserving the land and water.
Creates Fewer Greenhouse Gasses
Textile Exchange found that organic cotton causes less greenhouse gas emission compared to non-organic cotton. The reason is that farmers use organically farmed soils that are higher in soil organic matter. Furthermore, they seldom use mechanical farming practices that release harmful gasses into the air. With organic growing systems in place, it leads to less soil erosion than conventional farming methods. So if you are concerned about air pollution, organic cotton is the way to go.
So What Is The Problem?
As you can see, growing organic cotton has loads of benefits, making it an excellent fiber to use. But why are people questioning its sustainability? It all comes down to the processing of the cotton from the:
- Spinning
- Weaving
- Dyeing
- Transportation
- Packaging
While organic cotton is a better option than non-organic cotton, these factors all play a part. Furthermore, the natural fiber needs land and water to grow, similar to non-organic cotton.
Some researchers have argued that organic cotton is less efficient to produce per hectare. It tends to show a lower yield compared to non-organic cotton crops that produce a higher output. However, they did not consider that the farmers grow other types of produce on the farm with their organic cotton.
Yet, Textile Exchange found that the yields from organic systems are more resilient to climate change and extreme weather conditions than non-organic cotton. The truth is that when you compare it to other types of fiber, including cotton, there is less organic cotton produced.
But there is a potential to improve it if more people start buying organic cotton products. The fact remains that while it needs natural resources to grow, farmers following conventional cotton growing can implement non-organic methods to make it more sustainable.
Why the natural fiber stands up well to most other threads. Furthermore, it is environmentally friendly, prevents pollution, and is healthier for the person using the product.
How Does It Compare to Other Fibers
There are many other sustainable fibers that you have heard or seen. But how does organic cotton compare to these fibers? Let us find out!
Bamboo
This is a fast-growing plant with low input and high yield. The processing of this natural wood into a wearable product needs high levels of chemicals and energy. Compared the organic cotton is spun off the crop without using any toxic chemicals.
Recyclable Polyester
Another excellent alternative compared to virgin synthetic chemicals is recycled polyester that prevents waste on the landfill. However, clothes made with the fabric still release microfibers that go into the environment and are not biodegradable. Even the recycling process needs energy.
Linen
You find linen produced from different types of crops using minimal water and pesticides. However, the process is complicated without a guarantee on the dyes used. Sometimes, manufacturers do not state what type of dyes they use and can still harm your body. Processing white linen takes loads of bleaching and best to stick to natural-toned hues.
Organic Hemp
The natural plant needs no chemicals to grow, and it helps renew the soil. It requires little water compared to cotton, with a higher yield per hectare. However, when it comes to processing, it takes a lot of water and toxic chemicals.
Tencel
The fiber feels similar to cotton made from plant-based material. It uses less water and energy compared to cotton and breathable. The crucial thing is that the wood pulp needs sourcing from a sustainably managed plantation to make it a worthwhile choice.
Organic Cotton Take Away Thoughts
We hope that the information provided helps you to make an informed choice when selecting your underwear. While there are still loads of debates going on if organic cotton is sustainable, it remains one of the best natural fibers to use in wearables. So why not look at our fabulous organic cotton underwear range and decide for yourself.
