The use of organic cotton is up – worldwide production has inceased 153% last year alone – and for good reason.

Organic Cotton Crop

Less than 3% of agricultural land is planted with conventionally grown cotton, but that 3% consumes 20% of all pesticides used and 22% of all insecticides. According to the WWF (pdf), of the 46 chemicals commonly used on cotton, five are considered ‘extremely hazardous, eight ‘highly hazardous’, and 20 ‘moderately hazardous’.

And that’s just not bad for the planet. According to the World Health Organization 20,000 deaths occur each year from pesticide poisoning in developing countries.

A 2000 USDA study revealed that eighty-four million pounds of pesticides were sprayed on cotton in the U.S.A
That adds up to 1/3 of a pound of chemicals to produce enough cotton for a t-shirt, and 3/4 of a pound for a pair of jeans.

Organic cotton not only diminishes the use of these terribly harmful substances, but it uses less water to irrigate, and regenerates the soil with sustainable crop rotation practices.

To read more about organic cotton:
Organic Trade Association
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