Organic cotton fashion is gaining popularity as more and more people seek more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional materials. Organic cotton is grown without the use of harmful chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilizers. This not only makes them more environmentally friendly, but also more skin-friendly.
Compared to conventional cotton production, the cultivation of organic cotton requires more manual work and is therefore more labour-intensive. However, this leads to a positive social impact as more jobs are created in rural areas.
Another positive feature of organic cotton is that it is more suitable for people with sensitive skin. Conventional cotton can contain residues from pesticides that can irritate the skin. Organic cotton, on the other hand, is free from such chemicals and therefore ideal for people with skin problems.
The use of organic cotton in the fashion industry also has a positive impact on the environment. Compared to conventional cotton, organic cotton requires less water and energy for production. In addition, using organic cotton helps preserve the soil as no harmful chemicals are used.
There is also a growing number of fashion brands specializing in the production of organic cotton clothing. These brands value sustainability and eco-friendliness and use organic cotton in combination with other sustainable materials such as recycled polyester. At Matakuna, we pride ourselves on the fact that only organically grown cotton and recycled materials are used in the production of our garments.
Summary of important facts:
-
Organic cotton accounts for only a small proportion of global cotton production. In 2019, organic cotton accounted for only about 1.5% of global cotton production.
-
Organic cotton is more expensive compared to regular cotton. One of the reasons for this is that the cultivation of organic cotton is more labor-intensive and yields less per hectare than conventional cotton. In 2019, the average price for organic cotton was about $1.88 per pound, while the average price for conventional cotton was about $0.66 per pound.
-
The cultivation of cotton is responsible for a large part of the world's water consumption. It is estimated that cotton cultivation accounts for about 2.6% of global freshwater consumption. However, the cultivation of organic cotton requires less water compared to conventional cotton. On average, one kilogram of organic cotton requires around 10,000 to 20,000 liters of water, while conventional cotton requires around 20,000 to 30,000 liters of water per kilogram.
-
The use of organic cotton also has health implications for cotton farmers. Studies have shown that the use of pesticides in cotton cultivation can lead to health problems for farmers. Some studies have even found a link between pesticides in cotton cultivation and cancer.
-
Organic cotton is grown in many countries around the world. The largest producers of organic cotton are India, Turkey and China. In 2019, about 233,000 tons of organic cotton were produced worldwide, with India being responsible for about 51% of the production.
-
There are also some certification bodies that monitor and certify the production of organic cotton. The best known certifications are GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Organic. These certifications ensure that the cotton is actually grown organically and that other aspects of production, such as working conditions, also meet the standards.
These facts show that although organic cotton production is still relatively small, it still offers important environmental, health and social development benefits.
Conclusion: Fashion made from organic cotton offers an environmentally friendly and skin-friendly alternative to conventional cotton. The use of organic cotton in the fashion industry helps protect the environment, improve people's health and promote social development in rural areas. It is hoped that more and more people and brands will embrace organic cotton to create a more sustainable future.
Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/de-de/foto/blumen-pflanze-strauss-flora-4273425/