Why choose organic baby clothing? At Green Bean we are often asked by our customers what the differences are between organic cotton and conventional cotton. Many people are not aware that conventional cotton is the most chemically sprayed crop in the world which is damaging to the environment and causes health problems and up to 30,000 fatal deaths annually for agricultural workers world wide.
Conventional cotton from seed to cloth utilises a host of the most toxic hazardous chemicals in the world. In comparison Organic cotton is produced without the use of pesticides, chemicals or fertilisers. Each step from field to spinning is certified by an independent authority. IMO and GOTS.
The Facts about Conventional Cotton
1. Planting
Conventional cotton is often grown using GM seeds to ensure a higher yield. The problem is many cotton crops are now resistant to the GM seeds and just as many chemicals are used to eradicate pests and diseases.
2. Growing
Conventional cotton is grown using heavily laden pesticides and chemicals, this is due to the fact that cotton is so susceptible to a host of pests to name a few: aphids, lygus bug, thrips, army worm, cut worm, spider mite, boll weevil, spider mite.
3. High yield
To make the most of a cotton yield farmers spray the crops with harmful pesticides to ensure a higher yield and return on their crops. Conventional cotton is one of the most highly pesticide laden crops in the world. In turn this is harmful to both the environment and that of the agricultural workers.
4. Harvesting
During harvesting toxic chemicals are used to induce the crop.
5. Scouring and Bleaching
Toxic chemicals such as chlorine, hydrogen peroxide and APEO (alkylphenoloxylate EDTA (ethylenediamine tetra-acetate; VOCs Volatileorganic compounds are used.
6. Washing
Due to the large amount of chemicals involved conventional cotton uses a large amount of water to rinse away the residue chemicals which is damaging to the environment, leaching into water ways, devastating the soil and harmful to the health of agricultural workers.
7. Yarn Dyeing
Chemicals such as compounds of iron, tin and potassium are used which require large volumes of water to rinse out residue which in turn is damaging to the waterways and our environment and workers health.
8. Printing
Conventional cotton uses inks which are solvent based containing heavy metals, benzene, and organochlorides.
9. Finishing
Many different finishes and therefore chemicals are applied to conventional fabrics to make them either stain resistant, fire resistant, wrinkle free, deodorizing, soft hand. The chemicals used are Formaldehyde a fire retardant, sulfuric acid, bromines, urea resins for stain resistance, sulfonamides, halogens, and bromines.
10. Price
Yes its true conventional cotton is a cheaper product than organic cotton but the environmental and social environmental impacts are huge.
The Facts about Certified Organic Cotton
1. Soil
On the other hand to produce certified organic cotton the cotton fields need to be pesticide and fertiliser free for a period of 3 years. Organic cotton farming takes a huge investment of time to ensure that the crops are pesticide, fertiliser and chemically free. It takes 3 years to have a field certified by IMO for growing organic cotton.
2. Seeds
Organic cotton does not use genetically modified seeds. The seeds are untreated eradicate this beneficial insects and companion planting is introduced and the crops are manually tilled.
3. Growing
Organic cotton is grown free of any fertilisers, pesticides or chemicals. The soil is manually tilled and companion planting is introduced to eradicate pests and diseases.
4. Harvesting
During harvesting the organic cotton is hand picked using natural defoliation methods either by freezing temperatures or water management. This method works in harmony with the natural environment.
5. Whitening
During whitening safe bleaches are used and low impact/azo free dyes or natural dyes are used for dyeing the fabrics.
6. Washing
Organic cotton requires less water than conventional cotton due to the fact that it does not have the intense load of chemicals applied throughout the growing and manufacturing phase. The water is able to be recycled.
7. Yarn Dyeing
Azo free, low impact dyes or natural dyes are used to dye the yarn or fabric. All dyes are certified for use GOTS Global Organic Textile Standards.
8. Printing
Mineral inks or low impact dues are used which are certified by an independent third party such as GOTS Global Organic Textile Standards.
9. Finishing
Organic cotton fabric is left natural. There are no processes or finishes used on the organic cotton.
10. Better for the planet.
Without a doubt from field to spinning organic cotton is better for the environment and for your little ones skin.
