WHY ORGANIC COTTON T-SHIRTS ARE GOOD FOR YOU AND THE EARTH
WHY ORGANIC COTTON T-SHIRTS ARE GOOD FOR YOU AND THE EARTH
The best deals in life are always win-win. Making ethical buying choices doesn’t have to come at the expense of your convenience. Making ethical choices doesn’t have to strain your finances. In fact, the more efficient the organic cotton industry gets, the more we all benefit from it.
WHY IS THE FASHION INDUSTRY BAD FOR THE PLANET?
Unfortunately, the clothing industry is known to be one of the most inhumane and environmentally damaging enterprises in the world. Garments tend to be made as fast as possible and in inexpensive ways. As a result, clothing quality suffers. Regular T-shirts are often itchy, starchy, and they deteriorate quickly, so they end up in a landfill all too soon.
Another problem with making garments too fast is that warehouses need to make room too fast. One strategy used to make room and get rid of old inventory are seasonal sales, which contribute a lot of harm to our planet.
The vast majority of companies in the fashion industry tend to exploit workers, whether through low wages, unsafe working conditions, polluting local communities, or all of the above. Fertilizers, pesticides, and chemical dyes are some of the most common examples of environmental hazards used in regular cotton production that also endanger the health of workers who are exposed to them. Growing cotton without those hazards is challenging, but worthwhile. Organic farming practices are safer for farmers and communities, plus allows the plants to grow stronger and healthier.
As consumers, we have the power of choice. We can continue to support destructive industries, or we can support a global movement that aims to create better practices, better clothing, and a better future for everyone.
DO ORGANIC COTTON T-SHIRTS MATTER?
Yes, they do.
You are what you eat and you are what you wear, so we encourage you to always #WearYourValues
If you've ever made a switch to organic food for health or environmental concerns, now you can do the same with 100 percent organic cotton T-shirts— and for the same reasons.
Wearing the best organic cotton T-shirts is healthier for the environment, the people who make those T-shirts, and the people who wear them.
ORGANIC COTTON T-SHIRTS HELP CREATE HEALTHIER SOILS
According to the Global Organic Textile Standard, organic cotton decreases soil erosion by 26% Dangerous chemicals used for non-organic cotton creates changes in the composition of soil, which disrupts the natural balance of soil.
As a matter of fact, the production of conventional cotton is known to be one of the most chemical-intensive crops to grow, affecting our Earth’s soil tremendously.
Organic farming practices, on the other hand, can replenish and maintain the soil’s fertility. They help support biologically diverse agriculture by preserving beneficial bacteria.
Organic farming practices also help to ensure the health of the human and animal communities that call these farming regions their home.
ORGANIC COTTON T-SHIRTS CONSERVE WATER
Do you know how much water is used to grow cotton? Specific amounts vary from farm to farm, but it’s safe to say every farm uses a significant amount. Buying organic T-shirts is one way you can do your part to help conserve water. Even though cotton inherently needs a lot of water to grow, the way organic cotton farming manages water makes a huge difference.
To put it simply, the practices used to produce organic cotton help preserve our planet’s future.
Organic farming creates healthier soils and can make better use of water inputs. Healthier soils also mean that the soil is more resilient in drought conditions, a huge plus when it comes to water conservation.
ORGANIC COTTON T-SHIRTS PROTECT FACTORY WORKERS
It’s not just the planet to be worried about: the people involved in making cotton are at risk as well.
Suffering should never be the price for luxury. Thankfully the standards of organic farming that protect the environment also protect people by guaranteeing them fair wages and safe working conditions.
Did you know that according to the Organic Trade Association, approximately thousands of farmers die each year because of exposure to toxic chemicals that are implemented in conventional cotton processing? These toxic chemicals can cause serious health issues, including cancer.
We care about the people who are responsible for making our products, and we know that you do as well. Supporting the production of organic cotton is an important step that our society must take to help ensure that we have a healthier and happier global community. Organic matters.
ORGANIC COTTON T-SHIRTS ARE GOOD FOR YOUR SKIN
Many types of dyes have been banned or are carefully monitored in because they are known to cause cancer in humans who come in contact with them. The production of organic cotton bans the use of harmful dyes entirely.
Of course, that means wearing a 100% organic cotton T-Shirt will protect your skin from these harmful dyes as well. Wearing an organic cotton T-shirt ensures that your skin does not come in direct contact with harmful chemicals that are used to clean, process, and dye non-organic cotton.
ORGANIC COTTON T-SHIRTS PROTECT HUMAN AND ANIMAL WELFARE
100% organic cotton T-shirts are made without pesticides, or chemicals used to kill insects that eat crops. Generally speaking, pesticides are effective--sometimes too effective because they kill more than just pests.
When rainwater washes pesticides into local rivers and groundwater sources, they cause harm to fish, animals, and even people. The elimination of pesticides and fertilizers from organic cotton production farming practices ensures that waterways and drinking water is safe and clean for people and animals to enjoy.
Studies have shown that the water pollution impact of organic cotton production is 98% less than non-organic cotton production. In other words, while no system is perfect, we give nature a chance to recover when we lessen our impact. Right now, the name of the game is reducing harm to the planet, but as we make strides to improve our production, we can look forward to how we might be helping nature by producing organic cotton.
ORGANIC COTTON T-SHIRTS HELP NATURAL HABITATS
Instead of using pesticides, organic farming controls pests by cooperating with nature. For example, pests might be taken care of by a flock of birds instead of a cloud of chemicals. That’s because organic farming focuses on creating balance, just like we see in nature.
The organic fertilizers used to nourish the plants also create habitat for natural predators of pests and keep the land fresh so it gets used again and again. And creating nutrient-rich soil is good for more than just cotton. Being able to use the same land for multiple crops means that we can leave natural habitats be, giving them much-needed time to recover.
ORGANIC COTTON T-SHIRTS HELP COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE
By wearing an organic cotton T-shirt you're also supporting the fight against climate change.
Organic cotton production reduces nitrogen inputs and eliminates manufactured fertilizers and pesticides; such practices have been shown to produce up to 94% less greenhouse gas emissions.
ORGANIC COTTON T-SHIRTS ARE A WIN-WIN
When you give to the earth, the earth gives back to you. Being efficient might mean minimizing expenses to some brands, but we think of efficiency in terms of using natural resources responsibly. Rather than working with chemicals and genetic modification, organic cotton farming partners with nature to let the plants become as healthy as they can be.
The result is a high-quality fabric that gets turned into a high-quality T-shirt, made by workers who earn fair wages working in safe conditions.