Organic Cotton

Although cotton is considered one of the most natural fabrics, traditional cotton production is actually one of the most chemically intensive agricultural activities in the world. Because cotton is one of the most traded commodities (about half of the produced textile products), traditional cotton cultivation leads to significant environmental and health problems. Environmental studies show that intensive and large-scale use of synthetic fertilizers, soil amendments, leaf fallers, and other substances used in traditional cotton production cause severe damage to soil, water, and air. These chemicals also spread to surrounding residential areas, causing long-term issues for human and animal health. Additionally, these chemicals enter the human food chain through meat and dairy products from farm animals that consume cotton seeds (cottonseed is also used in many processed foods). Problems related to garment production are not limited to the field; countless toxic chemicals are added at every stage of converting traditional cotton into garments, including silicone candles, heavy petroleum degreasers, softeners, brighteners, heavy metals, flame and soil retardants, ammonia, and formaldehyde, etc.

Why Organic Cotton?

Cotton production uses about 25% of the world's insecticides and more than 10% of pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, and leaf fallers (Allan Woodburn).

• One-third of all chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) are required to grow enough cotton for a single T-shirt. In 2000, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States classified seven of the 15 agricultural chemicals used in cotton farming as "possible," "probable," "reasonable," or "known" human carcinogens (such as a-safate, dichloropropen, diuron, fluometuron, pendimethalin, tribufos, and trifluralin).

What is Organic Cotton?

Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low environmental impact. In organic farming, the principle "Not against nature, but working with nature" is applied. Organic cotton is grown without pesticides and processed without chemicals. Organic farmers rely on organic fertilizers, manual crop rotation, and integrated pest management. Fields are naturally pollinated, pests are controlled using insect-eating insects, and weeds are removed manually in addition to using hoes and tractors. Third-party certification bodies verify only those producers who use methods and materials employed in organic production. Farms can obtain the organic label only by using soil without synthetic pesticides for at least three years. Organic cotton is purer, natural, and ideal for sensitive and delicate skin as it allows the skin to breathe.

Garments, diapers, and bed covers that go through pesticide and chemical processes retain heat, disrupt the skin's natural balance, prevent the skin from breathing, and cause rashes and eczema in babies' sensitive skin. Organic cotton grown and processed without toxic chemicals is free from synthetic toxins that can enter the bloodstream through skin contact. All our organic cotton products are also free from irritating and harmful dyes. Additionally, in cotton farms where chemicals are used, farmers are continuously exposed to synthetic insecticides and fertilizers, endangering both farmers' and their families' health. Especially in developing countries, poor, uneducated, and poorly equipped farmers are forced to use the most dangerous chemical agricultural agents. Organic farms, however, are free from chemical fertilizers and pesticides, protecting their soil and water and allowing them to be used longer. Organic cotton garments are more durable due to their natural compositions, making them softer, thicker, and sturdier compared to traditional cotton, which weakens and degrades more quickly due to the chemicals used in its cultivation, processing, and dyeing.

How Much Organic Cotton is Grown Worldwide?

According to data from the UK Pesticide Action Network and the Organic Trade Association (OTA), in the years 2000-2001, the amount of organic cotton grown in 12 countries was approximately 6,368 metric tons (a little over 14 million pounds or 29,245 bales). This accounts for about 0.03% of the world's total cotton production. In organic cotton production, led by Turkey and the United States, India, Peru, Uganda, Tanzania, Egypt, Senegal, Israel, Greece, Benin, and Brazil follow.

Organic cotton is ideal for the environment, farmers' health, and your health.

What Does "Certified Organic" Mean?

"Certified Organic" means that cotton is grown according to strict standards verified by independent government and private organizations. This certification process ensures that farmers and processors meet the specified standards through farm and processing facility inspections, detailed record-keeping, and periodic soil and water testing. Certifying organic cotton production adds reliability to the final product, guarantees the product's organic status to the buyer, and incentivizes farmers participating in organic practices by paying premium prices.