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All About Organic Cotton - Why is Organic Cotton Better than Conventional Cotton?

Cotton - a natural fabric? Of course, but did you know that conventional cotton is more environmentally damaging than most synthetic fabrics? Because it is not actually eaten it is not covered by the same limitations on the use of poisonous insecticides, pesticides and herbicides. It takes a cup full of chemicals to grow cotton for just one little t-shirt (eek), and this cup of nastiness has to go somewhere. Yes, you guessed it, straight into the water causing chronic illnesses in farmers and their children, and destruction of wildlife. Then, of course, there's the GM cotton which ties farmers into specific suppliers of seed - including third world farmers who are already struggling to survive with the low prices paid for their crop due to artificial subsidies given to western cotton growers.

Here's the cycle. Cotton is ready to harvest so the cotton plant is killed with herbicide. The cotton is separated from the dead and crispy plant with machines. The land is now poisoned so artificial fertilisers are piled on for next year. Insecticides and herbicides are sprayed on to kill everything nearby, rather than using mixed planting which encourages beneficial insects. The cotton is ready to harvest and the cycle starts again.

Add to that the bleach used to make the cotton look not-so-whiter-than-white, then yet more artificial colours and sometimes fire-retardant chemicals, and I bet you're not feeling the same way about that new top you've just bought.

And when you bought it, did you think about who made it? Not many of us do. But, there's a reason why so much clothing is now sold so cheaply on the high street. That's not to say that premium brands are any more ethical - in the fight for sales and profits, the less paid to those who make the garment, the more there is to pay to the designer and retailer.

Our clothing is different. Organic cotton is grown without the toxic chemicals of conventional cotton. It's non-GM. There are no nasty bleaches used. Colours are eco-friendly. It's hand-picked, rather than machine-separated so it's softer than conventional cotton. Here's more good news:

• Organic cotton is said to benefit sufferers of skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis because it's free of irritating chemicals
• Organic cotton is free from heavy metals such as chromium or copper
• Organic cotton is free from formaldehyde, a known irritant and suspected carcinogen
• Our clothing is fair trade - our cotton growers and garment manufacturers are all paid a good wage, ensuring that they can send their kids to school (no child labour here), save for the future and have enough for the present, and they work in safe, healthy environments.

Questions? We'd love to answer them! Just use our contact form or email emma at makesachange.co.uk

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