About Organic Cotton

In order to cultivate conventional cotton, large amounts of pesticides are used for pest control and to drop the cotton leaves during harvesting. According to a report from Allan Woodburn Associate Company, 2.4% of the world's plant cultivation area, which is dedicated to cotton, uses 25% of the world's insecticides and over 10% of herbicides. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) states that, after corn, wheat, and soybeans, cotton, which is the fourth non-edible crop, uses a significant amount of pesticides in its cultivation. According to the Organic Trade Association, the estimated amount of insecticides and herbicides used for cotton cultivation is more than 20 million tons annually.

Organic cotton refers to cotton grown on fields that haven't used pesticides or chemical fertilizers for three years. Let's explore the advantages of using organic cotton.

1. Improved Soil
  Organic farming techniques, such as composting, cover cropping, and crop rotation, are used to build and improve soil quality.

2. Clean Water
  By avoiding synthetic pesticides and herbicides, organic cotton cultivation prevents chemicals from entering water supplies and causing contamination.

3. Water and Energy Conservation
  Organic farming practices in cotton production can save 218 billion liters of water and 288 million kWh of energy.

4. Reduced Carbon Emissions
  Organic cotton production is estimated to emit 92.5 million kg less carbon dioxide.

To encourage people to purchase organic cotton products, it is recommended to buy certified products. Some notable organic cotton labels include:

1. OCS (Organic Content Standard)
  - OCS: Contains 100-95% or more organic materials.
  - OCS Blended: Contains a minimum of 5% organic materials.

2. GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)
  - Requires 70% or more of the product to be organic cotton.
  - Includes constraints on labor practices.

The choice between organic and conventional cotton may still be a matter of debate, but efforts and discussions toward environmentally friendly practices will likely lead to more sustainable cotton production processes.

Note: The information provided here is a summary and may not cover all aspects of the topic. For specific guidance, it's recommended to refer to official standards and certifications.