What is organic cotton? Organic cotton facts & what makes it better than normal cotton

Since the start, we have only ever sold products which contain organic or recycled cotton. The reality is that non-organic cotton uses a lot of water, strips the soil and causes pollution in the farming communities. Growing and buying organic cotton has greatly improved outcomes for climate, soil health, workers, water, and biodiversity.

How is organic cotton different:

• Farmers use non hazardous fertilisers, which creates healthy soils and doesn't cause pollution in the water
• Organic farmers plant food crops alongside their cotton to promote healthy soils but this also helps with food security.
• Healthy soils act as carbon sinks and also protect communities from droughts and flooding as the soil acts as a sponge
• No pesticides are used, which keeps bees, insects, and water courses healthy. Not to mention the workers who get exposed to those chemicals.
• Genetically modified seeds are not used which means farmers are independent of big GM companies and can save their own seeds.
• Social criteria is in place to ensure safe, non discriminant and healthy working environments with living wages.

Facts on Organic Cotton vs Conventional Cotton

98% less water pollution

• The water pollution impact of organic has been shown to be 98% less than non-organic cotton production [1]

91% less water consumption

• Organic cotton has up to a 91% reduction in water consumption – only 180 cubic metres of blue water is consumed per tonne of organic cotton, compared to 2,120 cubic metres in conventional cotton [2]

94% lower emissions

• Organic cotton growing produces up to 94% less greenhouse gas emissions [1]

• Organic practices turn soils into a carbon ‘sink’, removing CO2 from the atmosphere [1]

• Organic principles require that farmers grow a diversity of crops to maintain healthy and fertile soils and fight off pests. These crops often double-up as a source of food, enabling farmers and their families to feed themselves all year round. [1]

62% less energy use

• In one study in India it was found that there was a 62% reduced primary energy demand for organic cotton vs conventional [2]

• Up to 77million (non-organic) cotton workers suffer poisoning from pesticides each year [1]. Organic cotton does not allow the use of pesticides or harmful chemicals.

[1] https://www.soilassociation.org/media/11664/cottoned-on-briefing.pdf

[2] https://www.soilassociation.org/media/11662/coolcotton.pdf