Why Organic Cotton?
Beneficial T's was founded in 1996 as a part of Patagonia's switch to organic cotton. In an effort to increase demand for organic cotton clothing, we created a unique T-shirt company that could produce and sell organic T-shirt blanks. Our hope was that through Bene-T's we could inform the mass market about organic cotton, and the potential associated with making the switch. Over the past nine years, we have produced T-shirts for many wholesale accounts, as well as various non-profit groups. We were successful in bringing affordable organic cotton t-shirts to market, while raising awareness of organic cotton clothing and helping to provide a market for organic cotton growers.
What's wrong with 'conventional' cotton?
If you think cotton is a safe choice because it is 'natural', think again!
Crop Duster Plane Spraying Insecticidal
Dust Over Vast Fields.
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Until about 50 years ago, cotton-growing mainly involved sustainable techniques: it did not permanently deplete resources or create a health hazard.
Today, however, the pesticides used on 'conventional' cotton increasingly threaten people, wildlife and the environment.
Conventionally-grown cotton occupies only 3% of the world's farmland, but uses 25% of the world's chemical pesticides. |
Most pesticides were originally developed as toxic nerve agents during WWII and it is no wonder they have been linked to many forms of cancers. |
A year 2000 USDA study revealed that eighty-four million pounds of pesticides were sprayed on cotton in the U.S.A, ranking it second behind corn. Some of these toxic chemicals include the infamous defoliant Paraquat and insecticides like Parathion which is 60 times more toxic that DDT! In fact, the EPA considers 7 of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton as "likely" or "known" human carcinogens.
Ironically, it is estimated that less than 10% of the chemicals applied to cotton accomplish their task, the rest are absorbed into the plant, air, soil, water and eventually, our bodies. Sprayed from the air, these highly toxic chemicals can drift into surrounding neighborhoods, poison farm workers, contaminate air, ground and surface water and cause major eco-system imbalances.
A 1993 EPA study estimated that 'one to two million' birds are killed annually by carbofuran, just one insecticide used on cotton! This is only one of many tragic effects on our wildlife.
It doesn't end there! Conventional cotton is also a major user of toxic herbicides, fungicides and defoliants. During processing, it is subjected to chlorine bleach, heavy metal dyes and formaldehyde resins (the hidden hazard of 'easy care treatments'). The bleach is almost worse than pesticides, causing myriad health problems and vast environmental damage.
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OneGranuleOfCarbofuran
Is Enough To Kill A Songbird
Photo: US FWS
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How is organic cotton better?
Hand-Harvesting
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Organic cotton represents a return to safe and sustainable practices. It is grown with natural fertilizers and is free from toxic chemicals.
Organic farmers rely on crop rotation to replenish and maintain soil fertility. Mechanical cultivation and botanical or biological means are used to control pests and weeds. A field must be pesticide-free for at least three years to be certified organic, and the cotton must be processed according to international organic standards. The standards also set strict guidelines for transportation and storage to avoid cross-contamination. In the U.S., cotton labelled as organic has to be certified by an independent agency recognized by the USDA's National Organic Program.
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Some of the benefits you can expect from certified organic cotton are:
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Not from genetically modified cottonseed.
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Grown with natural rather than synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, no chemical defoliants used.
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Eco-friendly processing that does not compromise workers' health and helps reduce water and electric use and toxic runoff, e.g. non-chlorine bleach, silicon-free softeners and low impact, azo-free dyes.
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Strict testing ensures the absence of contaminants like nickel, lead, formaldehyde, amines, pesticides and heavy metals.
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People with allergies and chemical sensitivity especially benefit from organic cotton clothing, as conventional cotton may retain harmful toxic residues. Even if you don't have sensitive skin, organic cotton will just feel better against your skin!
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