What is cotton?
Cotton is the natural fiber that grows around and protects the seed of the cotton plant. It is known as one of the most popular natural fibers in the world. If you open your dresser or closet at home, you’re guaranteed to pull out a garment made from cotton! From underwear, to basic t-shirts, denim, and beyond...cotton fiber is turned into soft and breathable textiles for a wide range of textile products.
What are the advantages of cotton?
Lightweight
Soft and fluffy to the touch
Durable (remains strong when wet)
Breathable
Comfortable during all seasons
Absorbs and releases moisture quickly
Takes dye well
Anti-static
What are the disadvantages of cotton?
A high demand for cotton textiles results in large-scale production. Even though the cotton plant can grow well in several climates and can be harvested fairly easily, the most commonly used production methods of conventional cotton are environmentally unsustainable. Production of cotton fiber requires large amounts of agricultural chemicals and irrigated water. It also leads to soil degradation.
Soil degradation: Soil degradation is what happens when the quality of soil declines and diminishes. At a certain point, the soil can no longer support animals or plants. The use of fertilizers and pesticides has led to soil degradation in many areas devoted to cotton farming. As a result, cotton farmers are forced to expand into new areas and risk the depletion of soil in these new areas.
Pollution from agricultural chemicals: The most commonly used production methods of cotton involve the use of agricultural chemicals including fertilizers and pesticides. These agricultural chemicals risk the health of surrounding wildlife and communities as well as the health of the workers in the fields and factories. Agricultural chemicals can also degrade the quality of the soil over time.
Water consumption: Majority of the water used to grow cotton comes from irrigation rather than rain, pulling water from outside sources.
Regular Cotton vs. Organic Cotton...What is the difference?
One of the most harmful impacts of cotton production-the use of agricultural chemicals-is eliminated with organic cotton farming practices. Organic cotton is grown without fertilizers and pesticides and is free of GMOs. It is safe to say that organic cotton keeps the surrounding waterways, wildlife, and communities safe from harmful chemicals. This practice also protects the workers in the fields and factories.
Remember, that the use of agricultural chemicals can cause soil degradation. Soil quality can be maintained through the avoidance of chemicals and the introduction of regenerative practices such as conservation tillage, crop rotation, and composting. Organic farming practices can restore soil fertility, rather than deplete it.
Through our research, we can see that organic farming practices (if done correctly) tackle the root causes of the issues that conventional cotton farming causes. While this is true, only a small percentage of cotton farmers are using organic approaches. Its challenges make it less accessible to farmers. Farmers may struggle for a few years before nailing organic practices. Many farmers are not willing to do this without support.
So, can cotton be sustainable?
Yes, we believe so! As a starting point, brands should be looking for textiles that are certified organic. The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the world’s leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibers. Textiles must be at least 95% organic in origin in order to be labeled as GOTS Certified Organic. Brands can also look for cotton textiles that meet Fairtrade standards or standards set by the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI).
However, brands shouldn’t stop at meeting the current government regulated standards. We encourage brands to not solely rely on certifications or standards, but to go beyond these tools! This means being active and rigorously researching their supply chain. The more a brand knows about their textiles, the more they can ensure that they are safe for the environment and its community members. The more a brand practices full transparency, the bigger impact their sustainable mission will have!
Additional Resources for you to explore:
Fashion Revolution Blog: Standing Up For The Farmers Who Grow Our Cotton