The true cost of cotton, and why organic is so much better

Organic cotton merchandise
The true cost of cotton, and why organic is so much better

Non-organic cotton has been dubbed ‘the dirtiest crop in the world’, and it’s certainly one of the thirstiest too – 3% of all water consumed globally is used to grow cotton. However, the difference between conventional and organic methods of growing and processing cotton is astounding. By choosing organic cotton for promotional clothing and bags, you can become a force for good.

Here are six important ways organic farming is a far better option for farmers and factory workers, the planet, and people who buy and wear cotton. We also share where we source sustainable, organic, responsibly manufactured, Fairtrade, well-made and soft cotton promotional merchandise.

1. Organic farming saves precious water and other resources

Conventional farming: It takes around 10,000 litres of water to produce 1kg of cotton – in fact, 3% of all water consumed globally is used for growing cotton. This is often in countries where access to clean water is already limited.

Organic farming: Organic cotton uses an incredible 91% less water, conserving a scarce and precious resource. Organic cotton also requires 62% energy to produce, and overall results in 45% less greenhouse gas emissions.

2. Chemical use is restricted and hazardous chemicals are avoided

Conventional farming: Non-organic cotton manufacturers use tens of thousands of toxic chemicals, many of which are classified as hazardous by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Farmers are exposed to these toxic chemicals in the cotton fields, often picking cotton by hand.

Toxic dyes and inks can also seep into rivers and wells, poisoning drinking water and wildlife. These risks extend to the wearers of cotton clothing too, as non-organic cotton can contain allergenic, carcinogenic and toxic chemical residues which can be inhaled or absorbed by the skin.

Organic farming: Organic farmers are only allowed to use low-impact dyes and inks, and all water must be treated before it is released into waterways. As a result, the water pollution impact of organic cotton production is 98% less than non-organic cotton production.

There are strict requirements around the toxicity and biodegradability of chemicals used to process cotton. Farmers are not exposed to toxic chemicals, local communities have safe drinking water, and the final cotton products are safer for people to wear.

3. Crop rotation creates economic stability for farmers (and builds healthy soils)

Conventional farming: Farmers grow only ONE crop, and if that crop is attacked by pests they have no option but to purchase expensive pesticides – often being forced into debt. This has resulted in thousands of suicides in India alone. (Even aside from debt, it’s incredibly hard to make a living as a cotton farmer because cotton prices are volatile and farmers have a weak bargaining position.)

In the long term, the soil is depleted by intensive use of fertilisers and pesticides. Not only is this bad for the environment, but it traps farmers into a cycle of needing to use synthetic fertilisers to boost yields as their soil is so poor, which further degrades the soil each season.

Organic farming: Farmers grow a diverse range of crops alongside cotton, and pesticides are not used – meaning no pesticide debt. Organic farming utilises crop rotation, growing different crops each season to break cycles of pests and disease to naturally boost soil fertility. Also, planting a diverse range of crops together is less likely to attract pests in the first place.

Farmers diversify their income, which insures them against crop failure, climate variability, price volatility and changes in market demand. Plus vibrant, healthy soils will cope better in floods and will be more resilient in droughts.

4. Organic soil locks in carbon to combat climate change

Conventional farming: Soils are degraded by year upon year of growing the same crop with intensive use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. Poor soil does not hold carbon very well, and so carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere – contributing to climate change.

Organic farming: Organic farming uses crops to naturally fix nitrogen from the atmosphere rather than adding artificial nitrogen which damages soils. This, plus other organic farming practices such as crop rotation, builds up soil fertility over time. And organic soils have been proven to be better at locking in carbon from the atmosphere, helping mitigate climate change.

5. Organic farming benefits farmers, not GM companies

Conventional farming: The majority of conventionally-grown cotton worldwide is genetically modified (GM). The same companies sell seeds, fertilisers and pesticides – which becomes very expensive for farmers, and extremely profitable for GM companies.

Whilst in theory GM crops are pest-resistant, the reality is that the pests can become resistant to the GM crop, or different pests (which the crops were not engineered to withstand) can attack the crop. As mentioned previously when GM crops are attacked by pests, farmers are forced into debt which has resulted in thousands of suicides in India.

GM crops are not just bad news for farmers, though. Growing GM cotton also damages the environment, and poses risks to wildlife and human health.

Organic farming: Organic cotton production never uses GM seeds. Instead, using non-GM seeds, organic farmers have much more choice in how they grow their crops.

Rather than spending excessive funds on GM seeds, fertilisers and pesticides to force high yields, famers can work with the environment they have in a more sustainable way. Lower overheads, lower risk and a more reliable crop is far better suited to small-scale farmers than the high costs and risks associated with GM crops.

6. Organic farming goes hand-in-hand with better working conditions

Conventional farming: Factory workers in the conventional farming system are exposed to terrible working conditions – including low wages, excessive hours, child labour, discrimination, a lack of basic rights and harsh or inhumane treatment.

Organic farming: Organic cotton producers certified by Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), a monitoring and certification scheme for organic textiles, must meet basic social criteria. This guarantees workers better wages, shorter working hours and fairer treatment – and eliminates child labour. Quite simply, workers are treated fairly within the organic farming system.

Our organic cotton

We source organic cotton t-shirts and bags from a company with impeccable environmental and social responsibility credentials: Neutral.

Neutral uses 100% certified organic cotton. The entire production chain – from cotton seed to final product – is certified organic and manufactured in an environmentally and socially responsible way, as verified by third-party auditors.

And it doesn’t stop there. The entire Neutral production is powered by renewable energy, their cotton is certified Fairtrade, and they have the SA80000 human rights certification.

Neutral not only meets requirements but goes beyond them. Instead of throwing away leftover materials from cotton production, they use them to make beautiful hang-tags certified by the Global Recycled Standard. Even their buttons are made from cotton, rather than plastic or metal.

The Neutral organic cotton range

The Neutral range includes t-shirts, vests, polo shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, hoodies, workwear, kids’ and babies’ clothing and bags. The cotton feels incredibly soft to touch, and there is a large range of vibrant colours.

To find out more, get in touch with one of our Promotional Merchandise Consultants. You can reach us on [email protected] or 0208 318 9603.