Is organic cotton really different from traditional cotton?
Cotton is one of the most popular materials for its softness and lightness. It’s hard to make a fashion faux pas with a good old white cotton T-shirt ! Although natural, traditional cotton is nevertheless very toxic to our environment and even our health. There is a solution : organic cotton. Label AÉ selects for you designers with unique know-how, many of whose pieces are made from organic cotton. This eco-responsible material is a step towards a greener future !
But then, what is the difference between traditional cotton and organic cotton ? Discover in this article why organic cotton is to be preferred !
What is organic cotton ?
Cotton is a natural vegetable fiber that surrounds the seeds of the cotton plant. It is grown in a tropical climate. The particularity of organic cotton is its eco-responsible manufacturing method. It comes from the original plants, grown and raised without pesticides, synthetic chemical fertilizers or GMOs. Traditional cotton, on the other hand, is modified with products such as bleaches, dyes and fragrances.
It was in the early 1990s, in the United States and Turkey, that organic cotton was used for the first time. Limited ranges are then sold in specialized shops such as natural and health food stores. At the time, organic cotton textiles were only attractive for their ecological characteristics, not for their quality or aesthetics. Today, the cultivation of organic cotton is developing more and more in the world.
Indeed, many players in the textile sector are undertaking eco-responsible approaches and producing in a healthier way. This is the case, for example, of Léa Chabaa, founder of the house ADN Paris. The designer imagines the concept of her brand following the awareness of our excesses in terms of fashion consumption. Its goal : to offer more responsible fashion through the choice of noble materials and an ethical manufacturing method. The Spring Indigo shirt is the perfect example of this, thanks to its production of 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton denim fabric (global organic textile standard).
How is organic cotton better than traditional cotton?
According to the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), world cotton production is estimated at 24.1 million tonnes for the years 2020 and 2021. But if this material is very popular around the world, its cultivation remains very harmful.
Label AÉ explains to you in 3 reasons why you should favor organic cotton :
- Environment : Globally, cotton growing is considered one of the most polluting in the world. According to a study carried out by the organization Textile Exchange, organic cotton requires 62% less energy than traditional cotton and has a reduced impact of 46% on global warming. It also uses 91% less water than traditional cotton. You can therefore save almost 2700 liters of water by buying an organic cotton T-shirt !
- Health : The cultivation of traditional cotton has harmful consequences on the health of farmers. Repeated contact with the pesticides and toxic chemicals used can cause asthma and even cancer, with some pesticides being carcinogenic. Many consumers are also victims of health problems such as allergic reactions or eczema by wearing traditional cotton clothing.
- Ethics : The majority of cotton producers and workers live in developing countries. They work extremely long hours and are exposed to toxic substances daily. By avoiding toxic substances, organic cotton farmers and their families are safe. Favoring organic cotton therefore contributes to improving the working conditions of artisans. You should know that 65% of cotton from fair trade is also certified organic, and this figure is constantly increasing. If organic cotton is not necessarily fair and vice versa, the two are linked. Logical, since organic farming and fair trade both aim to protect consumers and the planet.
How to choose your organic cotton clothes ?
It’s not easy to tell the difference between greenwashing (a misleading practice that can be likened to misleading advertising) and real commitment !
To be able to market a textile as organic, third-party verification is essential. This is the work of international labels and certifications. These organizations control and manage the organic designation.
Consoglobe, reference media for ecology recognized by the Ministry of Culture, advises us to favor the labels below to choose organic cotton clothing :
GLOBAL ORGANIC TEXTILE STANDARD (GOTS)
Recognized worldwide, GOTS is the reference label for organic textiles. It ensures environmental standards and production to ethical fashion and fair trade standards.
STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®
The priority of this label is health. Each fabric is tested to guarantee the absence of harmful substances or allergens.
In the era of global warming, our consumption habits have a major impact on the environment. It is now easy to find clothes that combine quality, style and aesthetics while being organically grown. The Label AÉ Paris offers you a catalog full of pieces from unique and eco-responsible designers. You will find many T-shirts, skirts, dresses or pants made from organic cotton, so don’t hesitate any longer and shop with confidence !
Yasmine Besbes
