ORGANIC COTTON: GREENER CLOTHES, CLEANER WATER
Organic cotton clothing is not a new concept, but in 2007 some of the largest retailers in the UK started to stock organic clothing. Many believe retailers are starting to realise the need to show accountability for their products; demonstrating that they are produced in an ethical and responsible way. Ethically-minded clothing company Intuitive Organics explain their outlook on the cotton industry to SEPA View.
Organically farmed cotton resists the use of chemicals, and opts instead for natural pesticides, such as chilli, garlic and soap, which act as effective insect repellents without killing the predators that would naturally eat the pests. Meanwhile, conventional cotton farming (which accounts for 2.5% of farmland worldwide) utilises 10% of chemical pesticides and 22% of all insecticides used. Each year, this equates to 2?billion dollars worth of chemicals sprayed on cotton crops alone.
In addition, the very pests that farmers aim to suppress eventually develop a resistance to the treatment and therefore require increasing levels of chemicals to have an effect. This adds both to the production costs of cotton and the levels of toxins in the land.
The chemicals used in intensive cotton farming mean that excess chemicals filter from the land into surrounding watercourses, and this can cause serious problems to human health and biodiversity. Many of the chemicals used in cotton farming are classed as hazardous by the World Health Organisation, which estimates that 20,000 deaths and 3?million chronic health problems are caused by agricultural pesticides in developing countries every year, many in conjunction with cotton production.
Most organic cotton is produced in developing nations, such as India, South America and Africa. This transition to organic production means that farmers can safely grow food alongside farmed cotton, without endangering the consumer or themselves. Organic cotton is also cheaper to produce, due to the lack of expensive chemicals and irrigation required. And when organic cotton is fairly traded, the potential for developing nations to invest locally in health facilities, education and clean water becomes a reality.
After the cotton is harvested, there are a number of design and printing processes required to manufacture the final product. Traditional production generally relies upon more chemicals for bleaching, dyeing and printing; however, certified organic cotton bans the use of these. Instead, Intuitive Organics uses water-based alternatives, which create high definition, colour fast screen prints, that do not wash away over time. By choosing to buy organic products we can help protect biodiversity and reduce the impact on the world’s watercourses.
ECO SUPPLIERS AT A GLANCE
Bolshie
Bolshie boutique and fairtrade coffee bar hosts a range of garments and accessories, all with eco-friendly kudos. The range includes items from Enamore, Ciel, Howies, Island Felt and Snood, with a wide range of recycled bags and fair-trade shoes also available.
Bolshie, 57 Bank Street, Glasgow, G12 8NF. Tel: 0141 357 1777 or visit www.bolshieclothing.com
Enamore
Enamore uses hemp, cotton and silk, each at a minimum of 55% organic, in its range of vintage style clothes. In an effort to reduce waste, everything possible from their Bath studio is also recycled, including fabric cut-offs which are donated to school art departments.
Tel: 01225 851004or visit www.enamore.co.uk
Kate’s Original Kilts
Kilt maker Sarah Hunt-Smith seeks out organic materials wherever possible when designing her hand-made garments. Where previous employers used cheaper accessories, Sarah incorporates red deer straps and solid brass buckles. ‘As well as using Harris, Islay and Haggarts tweeds, I have also been lucky enough to come across Isle of
Mull weavers who supply me with certified organic tweeds’, said Kate. Kate’s Orginals is based in Inveraray, Argyll. Tel: 01499 302844 or visit www.katesoriginals.co.uk
People Tree
People Tree’s aim is to use fashion as a tool to help the world’s most marginalised people. They work with 50 fairtrade groups in 15 countries to ensure as many people as possible benefit from their clothing production process – from growing the cotton, to weaving, dyeing embroidery and stitching. Visit www.peopletree.co.uk for information and stockists.
Snood
With a belief in reducing waste by re-using existing resources, Ruth Walker founded Sustainable New One-Off Designs, aka ‘Snood’ – a fashion range made of unwanted garments in cashmere, lambswool and merinos. Based in a mill studio in Huddersfield, Ruth reshapes these high quality fabrics into unique and contemporary pieces. With no air miles, waste or harm to the environment, Snood is an exemplar in eco-fashion. Visit www.snood-revolution.co.uk for information and stockists.
www.intuitiveorganics.co.uk
info@intuitiveorganics.co.uk
