The cotton has been believed to be the masterpiece of individual attires for quite a long period. That is why it produced for all types of clothing starting from casual t-shirts to high-end bedding materials. But, as people use these products because of the features of softness and multi-functionalality, there is a much darker story of our relationship to the environment. As sustainability becomes a growing concern for consumers and producers alike, the question arises: What many people don’t know; is cotton really as sustainable as it looks like? This blog focuses on the effects of cotton and researches. The topic of sustainable cotton clothes that will help to minimize such effects.
The Environmental Footprint of Conventional Cotton
Cotton cultivation is resource-intensive. A lot of water, pesticides as well as fertilizers are needed for its growth and production. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has said it costs around 2,700 litres of water to make one cotton shirt. This shocking figure demonstrates how ‘normal’ agriculture techniques used in conventional production. The common fibre is unsustainable and burdens water resources in the regions where it is produced.
Production of conventional cotton involves use of pesticides and fertilizers hence leads to polluting of the soil and water. These chemicals may pass to water bodies; thus affecting the aquatic life and in some cases polluting the water supply.
The Emergence of Sustainable Cotton
In order to address these problems, non-sustainable practices of cotton part gradually garner attention to fashion industry. But, a question arises here that what does the term ‘sustainable cotton’ actually entail? Sustainable cotton all looks to the cotton production that incorporates environmentally friendly practices and social responsibility. This is in areas such as organic agriculture, water conservation and humane treatment of labor.
Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is produced naturally by avoiding chemical based pesticides, herbicides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the cultivation process. But it employs such practices as natural pest control and natural fertilizer such as compost and crop rotation. Thus, apart from weakening the chemical burden on the environment, the approach is positively conducive to the improvement of soil and bio-diversity.
Organic cotton farming has been found to use less water than conventional methods of farming hence the need to practice it. GOTS indicates that organic cotton is 91% less water intensive than the conventional one which has been embraced by textile industries. This leads to the less exploitation of water resources and this in turns leads to little impacts on water resources pollution.
Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)
Still, another effort in sustainable cotton production is the Better Cotton Initiative or BCI for short. BCI is also involved in an effort to urge farmers to adopt good techniques while growing cotton around the world. Instead, the initiative aims at decreasing water and pesticide consumption, improving the quality of the soil and, last but not least, the conditions of the cotton farmers.
While BCI may not exactly purchases organic cotton. It is a step in the right direction for the regular conventional cotton industry. Consumers for instance can align themselves with BCI certified cotton that would help improve the changes happening in the supply chain.
Regenerative Cotton
While regenerative cotton farming has a step further in an effort of improving on the soil and ecosystem health. This practice includes a concept such as seeding of cover crops, minimal tillage, and the use of integrated pest approach to improve the health of the soil. Regenerative agriculture also cannot be limited to avoiding harm by causing negative impacts on the environment. But should seek to secrete positive impacts by promoting growth of ecosystems.
Sustainable Cotton Clothes: Making a Difference
Reducing Environmental Impact:
The sustainable cotton clothes which include the organic cotton. BCI or the regenerative clothes have less impact on the environment as compared to the normal cotton. When the consumers opt for these products the demand for the unsustainable cotton farming is lowered and this puts pressure in the industry to practice sustainable production.
Supporting Fair Labor Practices:
The majority of the sustainable cotton projects take into consideration aspects of labor rights and proper treatment of workers. On the basis of the purchase of sustainable cotton clothing, customers can encourage various companies and farmers to offer better conditions of living of the growers and producers.
Promoting Innovation:
Likewise, increase in demand for sustainable cotton clothes brings about competition among clothing textile industries. Consumers are looking for products that are made from sustainable material and manufacturers are going to great lengths to find sustainable fabric. This can act as a catalyst to progress towards more sustainable fashion and create positive change all round the industry.
Challenges and Future Directions
Thus, the changes towards sustainable cotton are quite positive, but not without the issues to be addressed. This is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that the use of organic cotton in global production is currently very limited. The consumers should try to check for the different certifications. The third-party audits to be assured of the sustainable products they are using.
The future and possibilities for improvement of cotton are going to in a better practice, technology and consumers. With the help of consuming eco-cotton clothes and demanding more truthful reporting as well as more invention of eco-friendly materials and techniques. It is possible to help to ensure that the textile industry become more sustainable and fairer.
