What is certified organic cotton?
In times when gaining ever more sustainability, ecological trade and conscious consumption, clothing made of organic cotton plays a major role. Those who produce and consume sustainably and fairly make a significant contribution to the protection of the environment and humans. Why?
First: Cotton is the most widely cultivated plant which does not apply for food worldwide. The cultivation of conventional cotton consumes large amounts of water. For pest control, among others, toxic fertilizers are used.
Organic cotton is grown according to strict ecological guidelines. It is dispensed with fertiliser, pesticides, solvents and other pesticides. Instead, natural fertilizers such as compost and manure are used. Thus, the soil fertility is maintained and improved. The humus content in the soil increases in the long term and can store larger amounts of water and CO2. It follows that for the cultivation of organic cotton much less water is required than for conventional cotton cultivation. Using natural pesticides neither man – the growers of organic cotton – nor environment is damaged. The changing cultivation with other crops, the so-called crop rotation, also is used for soil maintenance. Thus, the multiplying of pests and diseases is prevented. Likewise taboo: genetically manipulated seeds.
Organic cotton is picked preferentially by hand. Conventional cotton is harvested mechanically, however. For this purpose, the cotton is sprayed with chemical defoliants. The manual harvest of mature cotton capsules and waiving of defoliants the groundwater is protected from contamination by pesticides. Moreover, by this the health of farmers and harvesters is protected.
Cotton from Fair Trade
Fairtrade cotton sets social standards and takes environmental aspects into consideration. This includes decent working conditions, prohibition of discrimination, training opportunities, prohibition of child labor and forced labor, and livelihood-securing payment. This improves the living conditions of local organic farmers. The benefits of organic cotton is obvious. The cotton farmers deliver sustainable raw materials, manufacturers and designers use it to produce trendy organic fashion without poisons and end-consumers receive high quality products which meet ethical demands.
How do I know certified organic cotton?
The terms "organic" and "eco" have protection in the food sector according to EU-Eco-Regulation, to clothing this does not apply. Here, the consumer must pay attention to more wide-reaching textile seals. Clothing made from organic cotton can be recognized by seals like Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Oecotex standard 100 or the famous seal of approval in Europe Naturtextil IVN certified BEST. These seals meet the standard in different ecological gradations. Naturtextil IVN certified BEST meets the highest standard. In contrast to GOTS the fabric is made of 100% natural fibers in the seal Naturtextil IVN certified BEST
Other differences are:
- BEST allows less approved inks and additives.
- With GOTS copper may be used in heavy metal containing colours exceptionally.
- To increase the gloss GOTS certified organic cotton may be refined with caustic soda (mercerize). Also, optical brighteners are allowed.
- Ingredients and accessories such as fabric, yarn and buttons must not necessarily consist of natural fibers.
In addition to the criteria for raw materials from controlled organic cultivation certified organic cotton meets minimum social and environmental criteria. These include, among other things,
- a resource efficient processing,
- only a small use of chemicals,
- FSC-certified or recycled packaging materials,
- safe and hygienic working conditions,
- no child labor, regulated working hours and rest days • and no forced labor.
This does not result in the fact that different certified organic cotton is a better or worse choice when buying clothes. In any case, it is always a good choice to purchase fashion for women, men and kids made of organic cotton, because the benefits to conventionally grown and further processed organic cotton are obvious.
Clothing made from eco cotton is sustainable
Organic cotton is mainly used in the textile industry. Whether clothing for children, men and women or textiles such as sheets, pillowcases, towels and tablecloths. Due to the use of organic cotton in the entire value chain - from farming through manufacturing to the end consumer and the return to the biological cycle (eg as compostable garment) the environment is protected in the long term. Sustainable, energy-efficient and resource-friendly! Thus, influence is taken on climate change.
Organic cotton is in
Couturiers and designers have long recognized that the environmental awareness of their customers increasingly tends to natural fashion made from organic cotton. It can be processed well, meets the highest demands on wearing comfort and is agreeable to the skin. Thanks to the simple processing possibilities with organic cotton every fashionable style can be developed: from elegant to casual, from classic to trendy. Whether blouses, pants, T-shirts, jackets, sweaters, hoodies or household maintenance textiles and home textiles – organic cotton is ideal for the production of clothing for everyday use through to evening wear. The wide use of organic cotton is reflected in attractive designs and trends. Babies, children, ladies and gentlemen - for every taste and for every occasion, there is colourful fashion made from organic cotton.
Clothing made from organic cotton is not only lots of fun, but dresses mother, father, child, grandma and grandpa well thanks to the excellent wearing properties. Organic cotton gives a pleasant sense of skin. Patterns that are comfortable and stay in shape can be produced for each type of figure: from figure-hugging to soft and flattering falling. With organic cotton, the consumer receives a high-quality, pollutant-free product in organic quality and attractive appearance. Browse through the online shops at Greenpicks and discover rompers, body suits and children's fashion made from 100% organic cotton to lingerie and tunics made from organic cotton and with GOTS certification. Or men’s longsleeves made of organic cotton. Convince yourself how creative and of which high quality fashion made from organic cotton can be.
By buying organic fashion you set an impulse! Your friends, acquaintances and colleagues will observe this impulse and feel concerned. One way to inspire more people to fashion made from organic cotton and to contribute to the protection of our environment.
Alternative raw materials for organic cotton
Although organic cotton occupies a large part in the eco-textile industry in the processing of organic fashion, natural raw materials such as organic hemp and organic linen (flax) are gaining in importance. The very robust plants are less demanding in cultivation than cotton because they require little water and thrive on poor soils in the local climate. There are also organic wool, organic silk and organic leather in organic quality. Again, seals of approval ensure that the animal fibers have actually been won according to biological criteria. Sisal, canvas, coconut or kapok are raw materials that are rather used seldom in the textile industry.
Synthetic organic fibers are characterized by the fact that the use of harmful chemicals is waived during their processing and that the processing takes place as energy-efficient and resource-friendly as possible – as with natural fibers as well. Garments made of synthetic fibers can be made, for example, from recycled plastic bottles.
Even the so-called upcycling fashion is an alternative to conventionally produced clothing. Here unique designer pieces are sewn in a creative process from stored clothing, fabric remnants and other residue materials. Thus materials are more often used and returned much later in the waste cycle.
Life cycle assessment of fashion made from organic cotton
Despite all reasonable measures to pollution-free and energy-efficient production of organic cotton and organic cotton fashion the life cycle assessment of clothing is most effectively improved by longer wearing. A T-shirt has traveled a long journey until it ends up in the closet as the final product. Thus, the raw material may come from the U.S., be spun in Asia, dyed in India and sewn elsewhere until it is commercially available in the respective country.
Also with each washing the wearer leaves a CO2 footprint. This can be significantly improved by the use of organic detergens and natural drying on the clothesline.