Organic Cotton VS Non-Organic Cotton

Organic vs. Conventional (Non Organic) Cotton

What is the difference between Organic and Non-Organic cotton?

The difference between organic and non-organic grown cotton is mainly in the farming methods used. Below comparison chart shows us the difference between organic cotton and  conventional cotton farming form seed preparation to harvesting Part.

SEED PREPARATION

Conventional Typically treats seeds with with fungicides or insecticides Uses GMO seeds for approximately 70% of US grown cotton

Organic Uses untreated seeds Never uses GMO (genetically modified organism) seeds

SOIL WATER

Conventional Apply synthetic fertilizers Requires intensive irrigation

Organic Builds strong soil through crop rotation Retains water efficiently

WEED CONTROL

Conventional Applies highly toxic herbicides to kill weeds

Organic Physical removal instead of chemical methods

PEST CONTROL

Conventional Uses highly toxic pesticides Uses Insecticides accounting for approximately 25% of world consumption

Organic Uses beneficial insects, biological and cultural practices to control pests Maintains a balance between pests and their natural predators through healthy soil

HARVESTING

Conventional Defoliates with toxic chemicals

Organic Relies mostly on the seasonal freeze for  defoliation

Shocking Facts about Conventional (Non Organic) Cotton

Worldwide, conventional cotton farming

• Uses 2.03 billion pounds of synthetic fertilizers (formaldehyde, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, parabens, chemical dyes etc) per year

• Uses 25% of the world’s insecticides

• Uses only about 3% of the farmland but consumes approximately 25 percent of the chemical pesticides and fertilizers (84 million pounds of chemical pesticides per year)

Organic cotton saves lives

• No pesticides, hazardous chemicals (believed to cause up to a million cases of poisoning a year and 20,000 deaths)

• No formaldehyde (used as a finish): According to a National Cancer Institute (NCI)study, there is a link between formaldehyde exposure and cancer of the nasopharynx (the uppermost part of the throat)
• No nickel which can cause skin rashes.

USDA Organic Standards

Four principal labels for cotton fiber products are:
1. 100% Organic Cotton. This must contain 100% organically produced cotton.
2. Organic Cotton. This must contain 95% organically produced cotton.
3. Made With Organic Cotton. This must contain at least 70% organically produced cotton.
4. Made With __% Organic Cotton. This must contain the percentage of cotton advertised.

Global Organic Standards

International Working Group’s Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). The International Working Group on Global Organic Textile Standard is composed of the Organic Trade Association (OTA), The Soil Association (UK), International Association Natural Textile Industry (IVN) (Germany), and the Japan Organic Cotton Association.  Companies, manufacturers, and producers wishing to be licensed must comply with all compulsory criteria for their products to be labelled “Global Organic Textile Standard”.

Organic Exchange, “a 501(C)(3) charitable organization committed to expanding organic agriculture, with a specific focus on increasing the production and use of organically grown fibers such as cotton” (www.organicexchange.com). Organic Exchange has developed two standards: OE 100 and OE Blended Standards. Companies wishing their products certified to these standards, should contact one of the Organic Exchange licensed certifiers.