Here are some facts about non-organic cotton:
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Cotton covers 2.5% of the world's cultivated land
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Conventional cotton uses approximately 25% of the word's
insecticides
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Non-organic cotton uses more than 10% of the pesticides
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Over 2.03 billion pounds of synthetic fertilizers were applied to
conventional cotton in 2000 (142 pounds/acre), making cotton the fourth most
heavily fertilized crop behind corn, winter wheat, and soybeans.
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The Environmental Protection Agency considers seven of the top 15
pesticides used on cotton in 2000 in the United States as "possible," "likely,"
"probable," or "known" human carcinogens (acephate, dichloropropene, diuron,
fluometuron, pendimethalin, tribufos, and trifluralin).
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The consumer suffers from chemicals in garments since non-organic
cotton textiles irritate consumers' skin, as they can also cause neurodermatitis
(chemical residues stay verifiable even in the ready-made garment).
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Chemicals used in the cotton processing contaminate the
environment and decrease it's biodiversity.
What products are made using organic cotton:
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Personal care items (cotton puffs, feminine hygiene products, sanitary products,
ear swabs, make-up removal pads)
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Home furnishings (sheets, bedding, blankets,
pillows, towels, bathrobes, tableclothes, napkins)
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Clothes (men’s, women’s and children’s clothing in a wide variety of styles)
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Children's products (toys, diapers)
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Stationery
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Note cards
Don't forget about organic cotton seed which is used to feed animals. Oil which
is derived from organic cotton seed is used in different foods such as chips,
cakes and etc.
Where is no doubt that organic cotton growing practices are beneficial for both
people and planet.
Some of benefits include:
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Elimination of the pesticides and other toxic chemicals used in cotton
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Reduced risk of people getting dangerous carcinogens from the cotton
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Protection and conservation of environment
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Increasing of biodiversity
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Organically grown crops also yield soils with higher organic matter content,
thicker topsoil depth, higher polysaccharides content, and lower modulus of
rupture, therefore reducing considerably soil erosion
How fast is the organic fiber market growing? (OTA)
In 2006, organic fiber linens and clothing sales in the United States grew by 26
percent over the previous year, to reach $203 million, according to the Organic
Trade Association's 2007 Manufacturer Survey. According to the 2006 edition of
this survey, women's clothing accounted for 36 percent of total organic fiber
consumer sales in 2005, amounting to $57 million in sales. Men's and child/teen
clothing grew 56 and 52 percent, respectively, in 2005, while infant's
clothing/cloth diapers grew 40 percent and accounted for $40 million in sales.
We spend a third of our life sleeping and our skin is the largest
human organ. That's why it's very important to use all natural organic cotton
sheets, blankets, pillows, mattress pads
and barrier covers for you and for your beloved.
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