The textile industry is one of the most polluting industries worldwide, using chemicals that are dangerous to human health, wildlife and the environment. (Many of the chemicals used in growing cotton are classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as moderately hazardous to extremely hazardous). Around about 25% of the worlds insecticides are used to grow cotton. (Insect pests have developed resistance to many pesticides, causing farmers to spray even more chemicals to a lesser effect).
Organic cotton offers an alternative to these processes. organic cotton farmers tend to grow to a smaller scale and the cotton is often handpicked, rather than using machinery. This is a more accurate way of farming allowing pickers to select the best quality cotton. Organic farming improves soil fertility, is better for wildlife and farmers report better health and wealth in developing countries.
Organic farmers are showing there is no need to rely on dangerous
chemicals to protect their crop, pest, weed and disease control are achieved by better crop rotation, timing of cultivations and habitat management.
The demand for organic cotton is on the increase and is the only way forward within the clothing industry.
