Why Organic Cotton Clothing

Q: Why organic?
A: Our choices impact the health of this place we call home. Organic farming practices:

• Keep millions of pounds of chemicals out of the environment
• Create healthier working conditions for farmers and agricultural workers
• Do not depend on chemical pesticides (poisons), synthetic fertilizers, or genetically engineered ingredients
• Reduce global warming. Organic farms pull CO2 out of the atmosphere as much as three times the rate of conventional farming practices and releases less CO2 into the atmosphere because it does not rely on chemical fertilizers and herbicides (Rodale Institute, 2008)
• Promote bio-diversity. Insect and bird life has been found to be as much as 50% greater on organic farms than conventional farms (UK Soil Association, 2000)
• Demonstrates your commitment to social and environmental responsibility

Q: What is organic farming?
A: The term organic describes a method of farming without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides or fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation or genetic engineering, and are certified by an accredited independent organization. It is a system of farming that strives for a balance with nature, using methods and materials that are of low impact to the environment (Source: Organic Trade Association, 2008).

Q: What proportion of the agricultural chemicals are used to support conventional farming practices for cotton?
A: Conventionally grown cotton consumes 25% of the insecticides and more than 10% of the pesticides used in the world (Source: Organic Trade Association, 2008).

• Current estimates for World production of cotton is about 25 million tonnes or 55 trillion pounds and accounts for 2.5% of the world's arable land.
• That's a lot of chemicals being used.
  

Q: How does organic farming support bio-diversity?
A: Through crop rotation, promotion of soil health, and through an absence of agriculture chemicals that effect the ability of wild life and insects around the farm to thrive (Source: Organic Trade Association, 2008).

Q: Why manufacture in China, Mexico and Pakistan?
A: We carefully choose our production locations based on quality and market parameters. In these locations we are able to manufacture according to the highest international standards of social, environmental and organic compliance while offering a finished product that makes economic sense.

Q: Why Focus on “Sustainable” Textiles?
A:

• Textile waste occupies nearly five percent of all landfill space.
• One million tons of textiles will end up in landfills every year.
• 20 percent of industrial fresh water pollution comes from textile treatment and dyeing.
• In 2009, the world used three trillion gallons of fresh water to produce 60 billion kilograms of fabric.
• It takes 713 gallons of fresh water to make one cotton T-shirt.
• One trillion kilowatt hours are used every year by the global textile industry, which equates to 10 percent of global carbon impact.

(Source: Global Report Market Report on Sustainable Textile, Textile Exchange 2010)