Why buy organic cotton?
Better for you, your family & the planet
The ban on toxic chemicals throughout the organic cotton supply chain ensures safer and healthier products for you and your whole family, while simultaneously protecting the environment. Artificial pesticides and fertilizers are banned in all stages of organic cotton production including farming, weaving and dying. Those chemicals, traditionally used heavily in cotton farming, are sourced from the oil industry. They impact your health and contribute significantly to CO2 emissions. Organic cotton also creates healthier soil that has more capacity to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.
Healthier for Farmers and Consumers
Farmers and workers also benefit from a healthier work environment. The absence of harmful substances, coupled with eco-friendly dyeing processes certified by GOTS, ensures that organic cotton garments are free from pesticide and heavy metal residues, safeguarding both skin health and the environment.
Water Efficiency
While cotton is notorious for its high water consumption, organic cotton farming stands out for its efficient water use. With the majority of organic cotton produced on small farms relying mainly on rainwater for irrigation, the healthier soil retains water better, resulting in a substantial reduction in water usage compared to conventional cotton production. Studies have indicated that organic cotton can reduce water usage by up to 91%, making it a more sustainable choice.
Opting for organic cotton gives you peace of mind that the clothing you and your family are wearing supports your long-term health and well being. You’re doing your part to protect the planet and workers around the globe. Organic cotton costs a little more than conventional cotton, but ultimately the cost of toxic chemicals on our health and our environment is much higher.
Certifications to Look For
- GOTS –certified organic cotton The Global Organic Textile Standard is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent third-party certification of the entire textile supply chain. It prohibits toxic chemicals and genetically modified seeds, offering a higher standard of sustainability.
- Organic Content Standard (OCS): Offers assurance regarding organic cotton content throughout the supply chain.
- Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) and Cotton Made in Africa (CmiA): Promote reduced synthetic pesticide use and eco-friendly farming practices, with some limitations.
- Fairtrade cotton: Ensures fair labor practices and supports organic cotton farming, albeit with some limitations.
Most of the organic cotton products at We Made You Laugh are both GOTS and OCS certified and many of them are 100% organic cotton. Read the product listings for details.
Learn more about organic cotton from these sites.
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