Sustainable Fashion: Organic Cotton vs. Conventional Cotton
"these are some of the DRASTIC differences between harvesting organic cotton vs conventional cotton."
ORGANIC
seed preparation: Natural, untreated GMO free seeds.
CONVENTIONAL
Typically treated with fungicidesor insecticides. Possible GMOs.
organic: soil preparation: Healthy soil through crop rotation. Retains moisture in soil from increased organic matter.
conventional: Synthetic fertilizers, loss of soil due to mono- crop culture, intensive irrigation.
organic: weed control: Healthy soil creates natural balance. Beneficial insects and trap crops used.
conventional : Aerial spraying of insecticide sand pesticides. Nine of the most commonly used pesticides are known cancer-causing agents.
organic: harvesting: Natural defoliation from freezing temperatures or through the use of water management.
ORGANIC
seed preparation: Natural, untreated GMO free seeds.
CONVENTIONAL
Typically treated with fungicidesor insecticides. Possible GMOs.
organic: soil preparation: Healthy soil through crop rotation. Retains moisture in soil from increased organic matter.
conventional: Synthetic fertilizers, loss of soil due to mono- crop culture, intensive irrigation.
organic: weed control: Healthy soil creates natural balance. Beneficial insects and trap crops used.
conventional : Aerial spraying of insecticide sand pesticides. Nine of the most commonly used pesticides are known cancer-causing agents.
organic: harvesting: Natural defoliation from freezing temperatures or through the use of water management.
conventional: Defoliation induced with toxic chemicals.
production: organic: Wrap fibers stabilized using double-plying or nontoxic cornstarch.
conventional: Wrap fibers stabilized using toxic waxes.
whitening: organic: Safe hydrogen peroxide is used.
conventional: Chlorine bleaching creates toxic by-products, which are released into the environment.
finishing: organic: Soft scour in warm water with soda ash, for a pH of 7.5 to 8. conventional: Hot water, synthetic surfactants, additional chemicals (sometimes formaldehyde).
dyeing: organic: Low-impact fiber-reactive or natural dyes with low metal and sulfur content.
conventional: High temperature containing heavy metals and sulfur.
printing: organic: Low-impact, water-based inks and/or pigments with no heavy metals. conventional: Pigments may be petroleum based and contain heavy metals. Run-off spills into waterways, polluting streams.
fair trade: can be for organic: Social criteria in place to ensure safe, healthy, non-abusive, nondiscriminatory environment with living wages.
conventional: No social screening. Possible child or forced labor used. Facilities may be unsafe and unhealthy.
marketing: organic: Positive story can be told to differentiate you from your competitors.
fair trade: can be for organic: Social criteria in place to ensure safe, healthy, non-abusive, nondiscriminatory environment with living wages.
conventional: No social screening. Possible child or forced labor used. Facilities may be unsafe and unhealthy.
marketing: organic: Positive story can be told to differentiate you from your competitors.
conventional: None. As awareness of organic advantage expands, increased potential for negative image.
price: organic: Initial cost more expensive. Long-term advantages: priceless.
conventional: Initially cheaper. Long-term impact on environment: devastating
price: organic: Initial cost more expensive. Long-term advantages: priceless.
conventional: Initially cheaper. Long-term impact on environment: devastating