Organic cotton belongs to the most used materials in sustainable fashion fabrics. It is considered this way because it is grown free of toxic substances such as fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides of petrochemical origin and the seeds used are not transgenic. In addition, water management is carried out more efficiently, through the increase of organic matter in the soil. It can be used up to 50% less than in conventional cotton cultivation.
Conventional cotton is one of the most polluting crops in the world, contributing 25% of all insecticides used worldwide and 10% of all pesticides.
How is organic cotton grown?
Natural practices such as crop rotation or animal manures are used instead of artificial fertilizers. Pest control is through 100% biological methods such as autochthonous or insects. Organic cotton is harvested by hand to avoid defoliants such as those used in conventional cotton, since when harvested by machine, the plantation has to be sprayed with chemical herbicides so that the leaves do not fall before they are harvested.
Within organic standards, in Peru, as in the world, the use of transgenic seeds is not allowed. Thanks to this law approved by the Peruvian Congress, organic cotton grown in our country has a lower risk of contamination due to contact with genetically modified seeds.
Cotton in Peru is harvested by hand in its entirety, which generates many benefits, including less environmental impact since no type of machinery is used to be harvested, it employs many members of the community and also guarantees the product quality and purity.
Why is it important that organic cotton is certified?
Organic cotton certified by independent entities guarantees the traceability of the production process.
There are several certifying entities, the main ones are:
1. GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)
It is one of the strictest for organic cotton, this standard ensures that a textile product with the GOTS label “organic grade” contains at least 95% certified organic fibers, while that with the label “made with organic material” must contain not less than 70% certified organic fibers.
This standard has to meet strict requirements and conditions: organic fiber production requirements, environmental requirements, minimum social criteria (decent work) and certain technical quality parameters. The final product must go through a GOTS assurance system for the entire process chain (post-harvest handling), manufacturing (preparation, packaging and labeling) and marketing (importers, exporters and wholesalers), so that it can be labeled as certified GOTS.
2. The United States Department of Agriculture – National Organic Program (NOP)
Develops, implements and administers the standards of national production, handling and labeling of organic agricultural products. NOP also accredits certifying agents (international and local) who inspect production and handling operations to certify that they meet USDA standards.
The United States Department of Agriculture (NOP) certifies that USDA standards are met, biodiversity is preserved, do not use genetically modified or synthetic products such as pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
3. TheEuropean Union
Bases its organic agriculture program on Regulation EC 834/2007 that regulates the production, handling and labeling of organic products throughout the European Union.
4. Better Cotton Initiative.
BCI promotes a set of principles and criteria for growing cotton in a more sustainable way, taking into account environmental, social and economic considerations. BCI is a membership-based NGO comprised of organizations across the cotton value chain.
5. Oeko-Tex Standard 100
One of the most critical textile sustainability certifications is the Oeko-Tex 100 Standard. Since its introduction in 1992, this certification system has been applied to raw, semi-finished and finished textile products at all levels of processing, as well as accessory materials being used. Products bearing the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 label have been tested at all stages of production to ensure that no harmful chemicals or residues are present and that the product has been manufactured under environmentally friendly conditions
Bluesing
It is a system specially designed for the textile sector whose objectives are to eliminate substances that pose risks to people and the environment from the beginning, and to make responsible use of resources.
This standard covers the entire supply chain and is widely applied within the textile industry. The Bluesign system links the entire supply chain to reduce its impact on people and the environment.
ORGANIC COTTON VS CONVENTIONAL COTTON
| ORGANIC COTTON | CONVENTIONAL COTTON |
| Only 243 liters of water is used to produce the cotton needed for an organic cotton t-shirt. | It takes 2,700 liters of water to produce the conventional cotton needed for a single T-shirt. |
| Produced without synthetic chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides. | They contribute 25% of all insecticides used worldwide and 10% of all pesticides. |
| Approximately 95% of the water used to grow organic cotton is ecological water (from rain or stored on the land itself). | Most of them use an irrigation system that implies a greater use of water. |
| It generates 46% less greenhouse gases than traditional cotton crops simply by not using fertilizers and pesticides. | By using fertilizers and pesticides, they emit a lot of nitrogen dioxide, and in addition to employing so many mechanized agricultural practices. |
| Reduces water pollution levels by 98%. | It is the cause of the so-called “virtual water” is the water that cannot be used for anything else due to evaporation or contamination. |
That is why the importance of supporting companies and entrepreneurs who are committing to include organic cotton in their production chain, assuming a social and environmental commitment, betting on a cleaner and safer planet.