Organic cotton vs Conventional cotton
Over recent years, the fashion industry’s impact on the environment has worsened to dramatic levels.
- Cotton plantations consume 24% of insecticides and 11% of pesticides
- 2.720 liters of water are needed to produce one t-shirt; the same amount is enough to quench the thirst of a person for 3 years
- 123 g of chemical fertilizer are needed to produce one t-shirt
- The irrigation of cotton fields is one of the major causes for the desiccation of the Aral lake
The differences between organic and non-organic cotton are rooted in the process of cotton farming used to grow the crops. Unlike traditional cotton, organic cotton is produced without pesticides, herbicides, insecticides or other chemicals such as fertilizers. Farmers use natural techniques to ward off insects and threats, including releasing beneficial insects into the crops and covering them with natural materials to prevent invaders.
The ground water is not burdened during this process. The cultivation of organic cotton also reduces water consumption. This is possible due to a very old production technique called crop rotation.
When using this technique the type of crops is changed regularly to ensure that the fertility of the soil increases. Not only does the increase of fertility reduce the need for water, it also makes fertilizers unneeded.
Last but not least organic cotton is healthier than conventional cotton and feels softer. The reason why organic cotton feels softer is that the threads that make up cotton have not been broken down or damaged by chemicals used in their growing process, making their surface smoother and nicer to the touch.
