One of the most popular textiles is cotton. It’s in most of our clothes, our upholstery, toiletry products, and more. It’s All over, and because cotton is generally a natural textile grown from cotton crops, many of us assume it’s sustainable. This may not be true.
Cotton seems to be more eco-friendly than synthetic fibers like nylon, polyester, and rayon. It’s natural and doesn’t always require a lot of chemical processing. But is it really? Really sustainable?
We examined everything from cotton cultivation and degradation to find out how eco-friendly it is. We also have tips on how you can shop for sustainable options. Here’s everything you need to know about cotton.
Cotton’s Impact on the Environment
Cotton is a natural fiber, but it’s not as eco-friendly as you may think. Inorganic cotton production is difficult because of the need for harmful chemicals and a lot more water. It also requires the use genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to produce it.
More than 99% of cotton is fertilized with fertilizers or genetically modified seeds. Globally, cotton accounts for about 10% and 25% of pesticides used. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).The environment is generally affected by pesticides and chemical fertilizers. They can also cause pollution and water contamination.
WWF also points out that cotton cultivation involves the clearing of land for agriculture, which can lead to soil degradation. This alters ecosystems, decreases biodiversity, and causes harm to both wildlife and plants.
Cotton cultivation also has a large water footprint. Cotton is usually grown in warmer regions, such as India, which means that a lot of water will be required to grow it. For 1 kilogram of cotton to be produced in India, it takes approximately 20,000 liters.
Now, let’s look at cotton products that get thrown away. Cotton is generally biodegradable, but that doesn’t mean cotton products ShouldEnd up in landfills. When biodegradable productslike cotton clothes, personal hygiene products, or other disposable itemsget sent to landfills, they’re forced to undergo anaerobic biodegradation, a process that releases the toxic greenhouse gas methane.
Combine these factors and you’ll see that cotton production to degradation can negatively impact the environment and contribute to global warming.
So, some cotton isn’t sustainableeven though it’s a natural fiber. When purchasing products that contain cotton, it’s important to read the labels and opt for organic cotton to be sure your cotton products have a low impact on the environment.
Is Organic Cotton Better for the Environment?
Organic cotton is different than regular cotton. Namely, it’s more eco-friendly. It relies on the natural world and does not require excessive water or inorganic processes like chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
According to the Soil AssociationOrganic cotton requires 91% less water to grow than conventional cotton. Organic cotton has a system that increases soil fertility. This allows soil to absorb water and then release it when it is dry. Plus, organic soils that don’t use harsh chemicals are more climate-resilient; therefore, they can withstand our changing climate system.
The Soil Association found organic cotton production reduces greenhouse gas emission by 46% and pollution to waterways by 26%. Also, organic cotton doesn’t use genetically modified seeds or harsh pesticides.
Organic cotton cultivation is sustainable and does not harm wildlife. And humans. Its production is also safer for farmersit doesn’t expose them to harmful chemicals.
The Takeaway
Look for organic cotton labels when shopping for organic cotton. Particularly, look out for labels. Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).Labels for your cotton products
Cotton must be processed to GOTS-Certified standards that take into account both ecological and social factors in order to qualify. It’s similar to the USDA Organic label, except it only applies to textiles. GOTS labels ensure the cotton you’re purchasing is organic and lives up to social and environmental standards.
Brightly Shop has many organic and sustainable options that you can use to make everyday items. It includes reusable cloth diapers, soft socks, a microfiber hair towel and even sustainable underwear made from certified organic cotton.
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