Organic Cotton

Although cotton is regarded as one of the most natural fabrics, the traditional cotton production is actually one of the most chemical-oriented agricultural activities in the world. As the cotton is one of the most frequently traded goods (approximately half of the produced textile products) the traditional cotton cultivation causes extensive environmental and health problems. The environmental researches show that the dense and extensive usage of the synthetic fertilizers, soil additives, defoliants and other substances used for traditional cotton production cause serious harm to the soil, water and air. Moreover these chemicals spread to the surrounding settlement areas and cause long-term harmful effects on people’s health and animal health. The mentioned chemicals also become part of the people’s food chain through meat and milk products obtained from farm animals who feed on cotton seeds (cotton seed is used in scope of many processed foods). The cloth production problems are not limited to the fields; during each stage of transforming the traditional cotton into clothes, numerous poisonous chemicals are added to the list such as silicone candles, heavy oil abrasives, softeners, brighteners, heavy metals, flame and soil retardants, ammonia and formaldehyde.

Why Organic Cotton?

The cotton production consumes approximately 25% of the pesticides in the world and more than 10% of the agricultural chemicals including the herbicides, insecticides and defoliants (Allan Woodburn).

• One third of all chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) is required to grow enough cotton for a t-shirt. The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) regards 7 out of 15 agricultural products used to grow cotton in USA in 2000 as “possible”, “potential”, “reasonably” or “known” carcinogens that affect humans (acephate, dichloropropane, diuron, fluometuron, pendimethalin, tribufos and trifluralin).

What is Organic Cotton?

OUR ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES Innovation We create our collections by using materials that cause minimum environmental damage thanks to our innovations to improve the world and to reduce our harmful effects on our world by fulfilling the demands of our business partners. ZERO WASTE & TRN SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS We contribute to the nature with our sustainable organic and recyclable fabrics while fulfilling the demands of our business partners. 25% of our collections are made of recycled materials while increasing our employment capacity. Organic Cotton Although cotton is regarded as one of the most natural fabrics, the traditional cotton production is actually one of the most chemical-oriented agricultural activities in the world. As the cotton is one of the most frequently traded goods (approximately half of the produced textile products) the traditional cotton cultivation causes extensive environmental and health problems. The environmental researches show that the dense and extensive usage of the synthetic fertilizers, soil additives, defoliants and other substances used for traditional cotton production cause serious harm to the soil, water and air. Moreover these chemicals spread to the surrounding settlement areas and cause long-term harmful effects on people’s health and animal health. The mentioned chemicals also become part of the people’s food chain through meat and milk products obtained from farm animals who feed on cotton seeds (cotton seed is used in scope of many processed foods). The cloth production problems are not limited to the fields; during each stage of transforming the traditional cotton into clothes, numerous poisonous chemicals are added to the list such as silicone candles, heavy oil abrasives, softeners, brighteners, heavy metals, flame and soil retardants, ammonia and formaldehyde. Why Organic Cotton? The cotton production consumes approximately 25% of the pesticides in the world and more than 10% of the agricultural chemicals including the herbicides, insecticides and defoliants (Allan Woodburn). • One third of all chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) is required to grow enough cotton for a t-shirt. The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) regards 7 out of 15 agricultural products used to grow cotton in USA in 2000 as “possible”, “potential”, “reasonably” or “known” carcinogens that affect humans (acephate, dichloropropane, diuron, fluometuron, pendimethalin, tribufos and trifluralin). What is Organic Cotton? Organic cotton is grown by using methods and materials that affect environment minimally. The principle of the organic farming is to “work with the nature, not against it”. Organic cotton is grown without pesticides and spun without chemicals; organic farmers rely on organic fertilizers, manual crop rotation and integrated insect management. The fields are naturally inseminated; insect-eating insects are used to control the crop damages naturally, while the weeds are manually removed in addition to the usage of hoe and tractors. Third party certification bodies only verify the organic producers that use the methods and materials suitable only for organic production. The farms can only acquire the organic label after using soil without pesticide content for at least 3 years. Organic cotton is much more ideal for sensitive skin to breathe thanks to its purity and naturalness.

The clothes, diapers and bedcovers which are produced by using pesticides and chemical processes hold the heat and deteriorate the natural balance of the skin by preventing it from breathing. They may even cause skin rash and eczema for babies. The organic cotton that is grown and processed without poisonous chemicals are free from the synthetic poisons that may contact the user’s skin to enter the blood circulation. All of our organic cotton products are also free from irritating and harmful colorants. Moreover, the farmers are constantly exposed to synthetic pesticides and fertilizers at cotton farms where the chemicals are used, and this creates risks to the health of farmers as well as their families. Especially the poor, uneducated and poorly equipped farmers in the developing countries are exposed to the most dangerous agricultural chemical agents. Organic farms are free from chemical fertilizers and pesticides and they protect the soil and water which allows them to be used for longer periods. Clothes made of organic cotton have longer life thanks to their natural contents. The cotton that is produced via traditional methods becomes weaker because of the chemicals used during its growing, processing and dyeing stages. All of these cause fibers to become separated, causing weaker and low quality cotton clothes to be produced. Organic cotton is softer, thicker and more durable when compared to the traditional thin cotton which is quickly worn out after using and washing.

How much organic cotton is produced throughout the world?

According to the data obtained from UK Pesticide Action Network and Organic Trade Association (OTA), the cotton produced in 12 countries during 2000-2001 period is approximately 6.368 metric ton (a little more than 14 million pound or 29.245 bale). This is approximately 0.03% of world’s total cotton production. Turkey and USA lead the organic cotton production and they are followed by India, Peru, Uganda, Tanzania, Egypt, Senegal, Israel, Greece, Benin and Brazil. Organic cotton is ideal both for the environment, farmers’ health and your health.

What Does “Certified Organic” Mean?

“Certified Organic” means the cotton is produced according to the strict standards verified by independent governmental and private bodies. The related certification process is carried out to ensure that the growers and processors fulfill all of the determined standards mainly including the supervision of the farming areas, processing facilities, detailed recording processes, periodic soil and water tests. Certification of the organic cotton production has great significance to provide the final product with reliability, to be able to guarantee the organic condition of the product to the buyers and to encourage the farmers who participate in organic applications through bonus payments.