The organic cotton industry has make huge strides over the last few years, and many retailers are beginning to see the value of buying materials made with organic cotton, such as clothing, bedding and accessories. Still, most consumers do not know the difference between "organic" cotton and "regular" cotton. Therefore, they cannot justify paying more for one or the other. This article explains the difference in hopes that more people will opt for the organic alternative to mass-produced cotton.



What is Organic Cotton?

Organic cotton, like most "organic" crops, is grown using methods and materials that have a low environmental impact. The growing of this type of cotton usually focuses on two things: eco-sustainability and fair trade.

Eco Sustainability

The idea of sustainability is that the practices used in producing a product replenish natural materials at equal to or greater than the rate of depletion, and reduce the use of toxic fertilizers and pesticides to the point of being equal to or less than the rate that such materials bio-degrade or become harmless to the environment. In other words, the idea is that we can go on with such practices without "making things worse" than they already are.

Fair Trade

It is common practice in a capitalistic, powerful society like the United States for major corporations to use their buying power to reduce the price of goods, which they may or may not pass on to the consumer. The problem with this practice is that often these goods are already being obtained at the expense of third-world workers, who are providing them at an extremely low profit margin in the first place. It forces them to make a choice between working for near-slave-wages, or not working at all. Fair Trade Cotton and other fair trade products ensure that workers, regardless of which country they live in, are compensated at a fair, living wage.

Because organic farming practices and fair trade purchasing decisions are more costly, a higher price tag usually ends up being passed on to the consumer. We, as consumers, must then ask ourselves whether it is worth the cost to buy organic cotton over "normal" cotton.

Cost is More Than Just Monetary

The cost of traditionally produced cotton may take a few cents less out of our pockets, but it costs us dearly in terms of the destruction of our environment and the exploitation of our brothers and sisters in the "third world". Whether you believe in karma, a just God or just the idea that your actions play a role in your happiness, there is also a high spiritual/mental payout to buying organically produced, fair trade cotton.

Find out More:

http://www.sustainablecotton.org/

http://www.ota.com/organic/mt/organic_cotton.html

http://community.gaiam.com/gaiam/p/id/CAT00004

http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/products_cotton.htm

http://www.gaiam.com/retail/2/Bedroom

http://www.organicconsumers.org/