Organic Cotton

I thought I should look at some organic materials to get a better idea of which ones to use for my collection. This is some research I did on organic cotton.

Organic definitions

Organic refers to the way agricultural products are grown and processed.  It includes a system of production, processing, distribution and sales that assures consumers that the products maintain the organic integrity that begins on the farm.

Setting the stage for U.S. National organic standards, the U.S. Congress adopted the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) in 1990 as part of the 1990 Farm Bill. This action was followed by over a decade of public input and discussion, which resulted in a National Organic Program final rule published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in December 2000 and implemented in October 2002.

These stringent standards put in place a system to certify that specific practices are used to produce and process organic agricultural ingredients used for food and non-food purposes.

National organic standards set out the methods, practices and substances used in producing and handling crops, livestock and processed agricultural products. The standards include a national list of approved synthetic and prohibited non-synthetic substances for organic production.((OTA), 2011)

(OTA), T. O. (2011, Feb 16). Oraganic trade association . Retrieved May 31, 2012, from Organic trade association : http://www.ota.com/definition/quickoverview.html

WHERE IS THIS USED IN THE MARKET PLACE? - KOWTOW

SUSTAINABILITY

Fairtrade

“The World Health Organisation estimates that 20,000 people a year die in developing countries from pesticide poisoning, and a further 3 million people suffer chronic health problems”

Kowtow only uses 100% fairtrade certified cotton, as certified by the Fairtrade labelling Organisation and the benefits are:

• The Fairtrade guaranteed minimum price covers the costs of production and provides a sustainable livelihood for Kowtow cotton producers.
• The Fairtrade premium enables co-operatives to fund projects that benefit the organisation and wider community: business and agricultural training; drilling bore holes for clean water; building schools and clinics.
• Kowtow fairtrade producers benefit from advance payment and long-term relationships with buyers.
• Kowtow fairtrade producer groups are democratically run and respect the rights of farmers and farm workers.
• Fairtrade production standards encourage sustainable agriculture and protection of the environment.

Organic

“Cotton covers 2.5% of the world’s cultivated land, yet it accounts for 25% of the world’s insecticide market and 10% of global pesticide sales, making it the most pesticide-intensive crop grown on the planet”

Kowtow only uses 100% organic certified cotton, as certified by SKAL International and the benefit are:

• Never uses genetically modified seeds.
• Conserves soil though crop rotation.
• Retains water more efficiently thanks to increased organic matter in the soil.
• Controls weeds through physical removal rather than chemical destruction.
• Controls insects by maintaining a balance between “pests” and their natural predators through healthy soils.

Manufacturing

The factory in Kolkata, India where Kowtow garments are made has the following benefits:

• Only works with certified organic cotton.
• Factory sponsors projects such as Girls Education, Cow Shed and Cow Donation programs in the farmers villages. 
• All fabric is dyed using Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS) approved dyes which are free of hazardous elements such as nickel, lead, formaldehyde, amines, pesticides and heavy metals.
• Employees receive a living wage and factory pays for their social security and pension funds.
• Employees receive House Rent, which is 5% of their basic wages. 
• Employees receive free transport services to the factory.
• Employees receive paid holiday leave, sick pay, medical insurance, subsidies lunches and overtime pay.
• Employees children all receive free schooling.
• Employees work in a well lit, well ventilated and spacious working environment.
• Benefit from work place unions.

Elliott, G. (2010, june 4). KowTow Organic About . Retrieved may 1, 2012, from Kow Tow : http://www.kowtowclothing.com/pages/sustainability

Kow Tow does a fantastic job of maintaining sustainability methods within and outside their company.