In this introductory guide to organic cotton, we outline:
– What organic cotton is
– The potential pros and cons of organic cotton
– Potential eco friendliness & sustainability of organic cotton as a fibre or textile
– What the main differences might be between organic cotton and regular cotton
– What to look for and understand when buying organic textiles and organic cotton (including how regulations, certifications and standards relate to organic products and fibres)
– Where to buy organic cotton
– Whether organic cotton might be worth the money
– The choice between organic and non organic options in the future
Summary – Organic Cotton
What Is Organic Cotton
We provide a more detailed description of organic cotton in the guide below.
But, as summaries …
– General Description
Organic cotton might be described as cotton that:
Is grown without GM cotton seeds
Is grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers (that are persistent in the environment or toxic)
Generally uses organic agricultural methods over conventional intensive agricultural practices
Might not use harmful or hazardous synthetic chemicals (like bleaches, dyes, prints, finishing agents, etc) during the textile processing/manufacturing stage
[Some certifying bodies also place social and ethical standards on their organic cotton too]
With organic cotton, there’s generally an emphasis of having a lower negative impact on humans, the environment and wild life, as well as using resources more sustainably.
– More Specific Descriptions
Different groups have different definitions for what is considered an ‘organic’ product, an ‘organic fibre’, or ‘organic cotton’.
In the US, the National Organic Program (NOP) develops the rules & regulations for the production, handling, labelling, and enforcement of all USDA organic products.
So, what is considered an ‘organic’ product according to various measures can be found in these regulations.
In terms of textiles, the NOP/USDA indicates textiles that meet the GOTS standard may be sold as organic in the United States.
When checking out the relevant resources on the GOTS website that we list in the guide below, they give descriptions of what constitutes as an ‘organic fibre’.
So, a more specific explanation of what organic products and fibres are might be extrapolated from these sources.
For specific organic cotton descriptions, there are various ‘organic cotton’ related groups/organisations that give different definitions of what constitutes organic cotton specifically.
An online search for ‘what is organic cotton’ can show these definitions.
Potential Pros & Cons Of Organic Cotton
Read about the full list of potential pros and cons of organic cotton in this guide.
Potential Eco Friendliness & Sustainability Of Organic Cotton
Potential Eco Friendliness & Sustainability Of Organic Cotton As A Fibre Or Textile
Main Differences Between Regular Cotton & Organic Cotton
Read more about the main differences between organic cotton and regular cotton in this guide
What To Look For & Understand When Buying Organic Cotton Or Textiles
– How To Know If Cotton Is Organic
Two things that may suggest a cotton product contains organic cotton is:
a) Labelling using the word ‘organic’, and
b) Certain certification labelling or a certification symbol on the product. It could be on the product label itself, or on the product brand’s website (on the specific product page)
It’s worth noting that in some countries some cotton might be organic and only meet the requirements of regulations in that country, whereas other cotton might carry a certification from an organic cotton third party certifier.
So, not all organic cotton is the same – some might be certified, and some might not be.
Additionally, some organic cotton might be certified to different certifications and standards compared to others, so, check the symbols and labels that come with a specific organic cotton product.
– The Importance Of Understanding Regulations, Certifications & Standards When Buying Organic Cotton
In order to know what exactly you’re buying when buying organic cotton, it’s important to understand regulations, certifications and standards.
To make it as simple to understand as possible …
Most developed countries should have regulations in place for what products can be labelled as ‘organic’
In cases where companies aren’t labelling their product correctly, mislabelling can occur. There have been instances of mislabelling in the past with bamboo and bamboo rayon
So, consumers should check the regulations for ‘organic’ products (and what is allowed to be labelled or sold using the word ‘organic’) as a priority before anything else.
In the US, the ‘National Organic Program (NOP) develops the rules & regulations for the production, handling, labelling, and enforcement of all USDA organic products.’
On certain types of products (which NOP/the USDA outlines), like raw agricultural products, the USDA Organic Seal might be found.
But, as it stand right now, various sources indicate that these rules and regulations may mainly apply to food, and not textiles (consumers should cross check and confirm this for themselves though – don’t rely solely on the information found in this guide)
At the present time, the USDA does specify that ‘… textiles that meet [the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)] may be sold as organic in the United States’ as well.
So, the best way to know what you’re getting when purchasing organic fibres and finished textiles products containing organic cotton at this point in time might be to check for GOTS labelling on the product.
Consumers can check GOTS’ criteria and standards on their website for what constitutes an ‘organic fibre’ and what product can use GOTS labelling
Overall, checking the regulations and standards first, and then any relevant certifications (and the criteria and standards the certifying bodies use), can help a consumer understand what they are getting when they purchase organic cotton products
For example, organiccotton.org mentions that in the EU, the Council Directive on Organic Farming defines production and certification requirements of organic crops, and in Japan, the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) does the same.
Beyond checking the country or State/Province specific regulations on organic practices and products, and relevant organic certifications and standards, companies selling organic products can provide information on how their products are made.
Company specific information (usually found on a company’s website) may give the consumer further information on the ‘organic’ product they are buying.
Where To Buy Organic Cotton (Plus Some Buyer Considerations)
Towards the bottom of this guide, we’ve provided some information on the following:
– Where to buy organic cotton
– Buyer considerations, such as what to avoid
Is Organic Cotton Worth The Money?
This is obviously subjective as it depends on what each person values in the cotton they are buying.
Generally, organic cotton emphasizes the use of natural or organic chemicals and ingredients, over synthetic substances and ingredients, and also organic farming over intensive farming
More specifically, certified organic cotton is produced according to certain organic criteria and standards (which are available to view from the certifier’s website)
So, if that emphasis and those criteria/standards align with the consumer’s values, the price they pay for it might be worth it.
Furthermore, beyond the organic standards and criteria, a consumer will have to consider product factors like performance, quality, longevity and appearance of the organic cotton product in order to individually assess if they think a product is worth the money.
Some sources indicate that there may sometimes be a tradeoffs between using natural dyes and synthetic dyes, just as one example.
Some of these things can only be assessed throughout the time of owning a product though, and, some of these things may be brand specific (i.e. some brands may produce a better or different product to others).
Is Organic Cotton The Best Option For The Future?
This is a nuanced question to answer.
Obviously it depends on the values and preferences of an individual.
And, beyond that, it depends on what the pros and cons of organic and non organic farming practices, production processes, and finished products are right now, and into the future.
Developments in technology such as GM crops and seeds, and other food and agricultural related technology also plays a part.
Production processes and finished product design and capabilities can also change.
We discuss potential answers to this question in deeper detail in the guide below.
* This Guide Is A Generalisation Only
There’s many variables that can impact cotton fibre products.
Where the cotton is grown, how it’s grown, how it’s produced – all are significant variables with cotton production that can be hard to full measure the impact of.
Additionally, the regulations and certifications around organic cotton can change, so, consumers should always check what the updated/current regulations and certifications are (along with any other guidelines and standards) at the time they are considering purchasing cotton products.
What Is Organic Cotton?
There’s no universal definition of organic cotton at the moment.
Different sources, groups and organisations may have their own definitions for what classifies as an ‘organic’ product, or specifically as either an ‘organic fibre’ or ‘organic cotton’.
We discuss these phrases in more depth below in this guide.
A Generalized Description Of Organic Cotton
The main features of organic cotton might be:
– Uses natural and renewable fertilizers, and natural pest control methods, for cotton crop production instead of using synthetic and non renewable agricultural chemicals i.e. synthetic fertilizers and pesticides
In the case of pesticides specifically, some descriptions mention that ‘toxic and persistent’ pesticides can’t be used, instead of describing them as synthetic.
An example of a natural fertilizer might be animal manure, whilst an example of natural pest control might involve biological pest control.
Sometimes natural crop management and protection tools such as sulphur dust, citric acid, nitrogen, and zinc sulphate [are used] (cottonaustralia.com.au)
– Uses conventional cotton seeds (that are usually renewable) instead of GM cotton seeds
Beyond these main features, organic cotton may also place an emphasis on:
– Organic agricultural practices that promote soil health and fertility, biodiversity (especially biologically diverse agriculture), and environmental and wildlife health.
This is instead of conventional or intensive industrial farming practices that may lead to soil degradation, environmental problems, and resource depletion
– Use natural substances (that are more eco friendly, and less toxic or hazardous) instead of synthetic chemicals at the fibre and textile processing, and bleaching, dying, finishing and printing stages
[Organic cotton] still uses naturally derived or organic chemicals [but not synthetic ones] (qz.com)
Overall, organic cotton might use processes and methods that have the aim to have less of a negative impact on humans (human health and cotton industry workers), the environment and wildlife, and the sustainable use of resources.
More Specific Description Of Organic Cotton
A more specific definition of what constitutes as an ‘organic fibre’ might be found in the GOTS resource links in the sources list
You can go to the ‘The Standard’ section, and read about their requirements for organic fibres under the ‘Key Features’ and ‘Philosophy’ sub sections.
Additionally, different organisations and groups give their own specific definitions of organic cotton too.
As just one example of many that can be found, elkieark.com indicates that [some of the things that consumers might look for in the criteria provided by organic certification bodies might be] Toxic pesticide free … GMO free … Toxic bleach free … AZO, and toxic dye free … Heavy metal free … Reduces and captures toxic waste and waste water … [and] end product contains no toxic chemicals …’
Other Differences & Features In Organic Cotton
Aside from some of the main features of organic cotton compared to regular cotton, we reference a organiccottonplus.com resource in this guide that has a helpful chart comparing organic cotton to regular cotton through different stages of growing and production, as well as things like marketing and price.
What To Look For & Understand When Buying Organic Cotton Or Textiles
How To Know If Cotton Is Organic
There’s two main things that might indicate that a cotton product is organic:
a) It is labelled using the word ‘organic’ (to use this word, the product usually has to meet regulatory guidelines of the country it’s sold in)
b) It contains organic certification labelling on the product, or on the product page on a brand’s website.
Some products might be 100% organic cotton, but some clothes for example need a synthetic fibre for traits like elasticity or durability.
In this instance, organic cotton is mixed with a certain % of another fibre or material.
The label or product description usually specifies this.
Additionally, regulations and certification standards usually have criteria to deal with this (such as USDA and GOTS)
The Importance Of Understanding Regulations, Certifications & Standards When Buying Organic Cotton
The regulations, certifications and standards help the consumer understand what exactly they are buying when they buy an organic product.
So, they are important to reference.
– Regulations
Most developed countries should have regulations in place for what products can be labelled as ‘organic’.
Regulations can also differ between countries.
So, consumers should check the regulations for ‘organic’ products (and what is allowed to be labelled or sold using the word ‘organic’) as a priority before anything else.
In the US, the ‘National Organic Program (NOP) develops the rules & regulations for the production, handling, labelling, and enforcement of all USDA organic products.’
Currently, products labelled and sold as ‘organic’ in the US must be ‘approved by a USDA-accredited certifying agent before being used in the marketplace’
On certain types of products (which NOP/the USDA outlines), like raw agricultural products, the USDA Organic Seal might be found.
Read more on the USDA website:
USDA Organic Farming & Business Resources Page
Labelling Organic Products (and reference to GOTS for textiles)
Organic Regulations (and what NOP does)
– Potential Limitations Of Regulations & NOP
Regulations may have certain limitations when it comes to their application to different types of products.
As it stand right now, various sources indicate that USDA/NOP rules and regulations mainly apply to food, and not textiles (consumers should cross check and confirm this for themselves though – don’t rely solely on the information you find in this guide)
To address this, regulatory organisations like the USDA/NOP may list individual third parties that have become accredited certifiers.
In their ‘About Organic Labelling’ section on their website, when discussing labelling for textiles specifically, the USDA indicates that ‘… textiles that meet [the Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS)] may be sold as ‘organic’ in the United States.
From ota.com:
While USDA NOP regulations cover the production of raw agricultural commodities such as cotton and wool, the regulations do not include specific processing or manufacturing standards for textile products i.e. the methods and standards are generally not applicable to textile processing
[In this instance] manufacturers may seek out certification for processed textiles through a reputable private standard called the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
GOTS is a stringent voluntary international standard for the processing of textiles containing organic fiber.
… GOTS addresses the entire post-harvest processing (including spinning, knitting, weaving, dyeing and manufacturing) of apparel and textile products made with organic fiber.
From thefutonshop.com:
[Regarding the labelling of textiles …] any textile advertised as “organic” must be third-party certified under National Organic Program standards throughout the entire production process
However, because the National Organic Program standards apply to food, not fabrics, it’s unlikely that anyone will see a USDA Organic seal on [fabrics].
So the agency is encouraging textile manufacturers to turn to the International Working Group on Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS IWG), which is currently the only third-party certification set up to accommodate organic-fabric producers who want to adhere to the USDA …
Any product that is certified under GOTS standards can be labeled organic.
While other eco-labels for clothing and fabrics address raw materials, chemical finishes, or labor standards, the comprehensive GOTS certification is the only program out there that addresses all of those and then some.
– What The GOTS Standard Is
Based on what is outlined above, the best way right now to know what you’re getting when purchasing organic fibres and finished textile products containing organic cotton at this point in time might be to check for GOTS labelling on the product.
Consumers can check the full GOTS’ criteria and standards on their website for what constitutes an ‘organic fibre’ and what product can use GOTS labelling, amongst other information.
As a summary (from the GOTS website) …
‘The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent third-party certification of the entire textile supply chain [processing, manufacturing, packaging, labelling, trading and distribution of all textiles].’
One of the aims is to provide a credible assurance to the end consumer
[GOTS certification builds upon four distinctive and unique features – organic fibres, ecological and social criteria, all processing stages, and third party certification.]
Read more about the ‘Key Features’ of the GOTS standard here.
GOTS also has a Q & A page for some answers to some frequently asked questions.
If you’re thinking of buying a GOTS labelled product, it’s worth doing a complete read of the information on the GOTS website.
From elkieark.com: ‘[GOTS might be one of the most comprehensive organic certifications there is for organic fibres]’
TwoSistersEcoTextiles.com also explains what it means to be GOTS certified in their resource
– Some Potential Critiques Of Using GOTS
To provide a balanced critique of using GOTS standards for buying organic cotton though …
Some potential problems with GOTS certification right now might be:
It takes time to get the certification – each step of the growing and production process has to be checked and certified, along with all facilities
It takes time and money to convert farms and production facilities already producing conventional cotton
There can sometimes be more immediate profits to be made and time to be saved by sticking with conventional cotton growing and production
Labor and other resource inputs might be more intensive with organic or certified fibres
The organic market for cotton is nowhere near as big as the conventional cotton market yet – it’s still growing and getting established.
Having said this, GOTS certified facilities are growing worldwide according to organic-market.info, and we’ve outlined how both organic cotton production and organic cotton certification is growing
– Other Symbols That Might Be Found On Organic Cotton Products
In addition to an organic cotton textiles product having the GOTS symbol, some other labels and organisations that might display their symbols on organic textiles might include the Soil Association symbol or an Organic Exchange Symbol (OE symbol).
The OE standards for example are traceability standards.
These symbols and descriptions can change over time (like the rest of the information in this guide), but right now the symbols and their explanations might be:
cottonedon.org explains some of these symbols:
Soil Association symbol – Product certified to the Global Organic Textile Standard by Soil Association Certification Ltd.
The Soil Association was a founder member of GOTS and is a quarter owner of Global Standard GmbH which manages the GOTS.
OE100 symbol – Cotton in the product grown to organic standards.
Product has been tracked and traced along the supply chain by an independent, third party.
Contains 100% certified organic cotton fibre, but hasn’t necessarily been processed to organic standards.
OE Blended symbol – Product contains a minimum 5% of organic cotton fibre.
ota.com explains:
Companies are increasingly becoming certified to traceability standards such as the Organic Exchange (OE) Blended or OE 100 standard, tracing the organic fiber from the field to finished product.
Many manufacturers have also become certified to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which addresses textile’s processing stages and includes strong labor provisions.
cottonedon.org has this to say about GOTS and other symbols on products:
A product claiming to be organic might only contain a small percentage of organic cotton or may be made of organic cotton but dyed using toxic chemicals which would never be allowed in certified organic products.
… to be sure a product really is organic from field to finished product, look out for either the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) symbol, the Soil Association symbol or the Organic Exchange symbol [on the label of the organic product you are buying, or in the description on the brand’s website]
Make sure a traceability standard covers everything from the farms that follow organic practices, to factories that process organic cotton separately from conventionally grown cotton, and for shipments of organic cotton between different companies in the supply chain i.e. the whole production and supply chain.
Other certification labelling may also appear on organic products, and these certifications may relate to other types of criteria (other than organic). Fairtrade, Fair Wear and Carbon Neutral accreditations are just a few examples of many.
– Other Organic Associations
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is a membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America.
OTA is the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States
– Overall
Overall, checking the regulations and standards first, and then any relevant certifications (and the criteria and standards the certifying bodies use), can help a consumer understand what they are getting when they purchase organic cotton products
Beyond this, a consumer can look up information available from a company’s website about how they source and make their products.
This information can be any information the company makes available about that company’s individual supply and production chains and practices, including sourcing, growing, manufacture (of fibres and other products), processing (dying, bleaching, finishing etc.), waste management, and more.
Lenzing, with their TENCEL branded fiber products, might be just one example of a transparent company when outlining their processes and practices.
Where To Buy Organic Cotton
– Online
Search search engine for the type of organic product you want e.g. ‘organic cotton bed sheets’, and go to a brand’s website for the type of organic cotton product that appeals to you
– In Store
Go to a shop in your local area that sells cotton products and see if they sell organic cotton
You could also do a search engine search before you head out for ‘organic cotton [name of your town or city]’ to see if they stock organic cotton products
Instead of buying new, you might be able to pick up some organic cotton pre-owned locally either online or from a second hand store.
What To Avoid When Buying Organic Cotton
Some of the things you may want to consider avoiding when buying organic cotton might include:
– Products that use the word ‘organic’ without providing any further certification symbols or labelling, or another way for an individual to cross check the standards the product was produced to, or trace the product along the supply chain.
Brands that do this can sometimes be using certain labels or words just for marketing purposes, for greenwashing, or might have a conflict of interest between promoting organic products, and selling more items/making more money.
Companies that are open and forthcoming with good information about their products are usually a good sign.
– Organic products that perform poorly for their intended use, or have unfavorable traits and features for use
E.g. textiles that wear out or fade quickly
So, performance/product quality and practicality is important too, in addition to the organic criteria the product is produced with.
Is Organic Cotton Worth The Money, & Should You Consider Buying It?
– Is Organic Cotton Worth It?
Whether organic cotton, or any organic product is worth it or not, probably comes down to three factors:
1. The values and beliefs of the consumer
Every consumer is going to have different values in terms of what is important to them in the product they are buying.
An organic textile product will be worth it to the consumer if it is produced in a way that aligns with a buyer’s values.
So, consumers should consider what values, priorities, measurements or indicators are most important to them
Is it price? Quality? Performance? Water use? Carbon footprint? Use of pesticides and fertilizers? Yield efficiency for farmers? Or something else?
2. The standards to which the product is made
Different products are made in different ways – with different production processes, with different supply chains, and according to different criteria, standards and requirements.
Reading certification criteria, and also information provided by companies themselves, can give consumers a good idea of how a product is made.
3. How standards are communicated to consumers, and the guarantee they are given
The standards and criteria to which a product is made should be communicated to the consumer in a credible and transparent, which gives the consumer a reasonable guarantee that it aligns with their standards
At this point the consumer can cross check the standards with their values, and see if they align or not
If buying GOTS standard organic cotton for example, then you’ll have to check that you are satisfied with the outlined environmental, social and quality standards outlined by GOTS on their website.
If you are satisfied with these standards and the outlined criteria – you might consider buying organic cotton.
– Other Considerations With Organic Cotton
Not all products advertised as containing ‘organic’ cotton are the same – some meet higher standards, and some lower, or a minimum standard.
Some products may contain majority organic cotton, whilst others may contain only a small amount.
Consumers should be aware of these variations.
Companies might provide other information like testing results instead of or alongside certifications, which can add further credibility to the product and how it’s made
– Considering Regular Cotton Instead
If for whatever reason this type of organic cotton doesn’t appeal to someone … then, regular cotton may be a better option.
A potential problem with regular cotton is that unless it is certified in some way (which it usually isn’t) – you have no way of knowing the criteria for how it has been grown and produced.
It may not come with a traceability guarantee either.
You may pay a cheaper price for regular cotton because of things like lower upfront costs, subsidies, and no environmental or social penalties for farmers – which is then passed onto you as the consumer.
But, you usually don’t know if the environment, animals and humans have paid a price for growing and producing that cotton.
You can read more about the impact of growing and using regular cotton in this guide.
Beyond these standards though, product performance is important, and this is entirely dependent on the product and brand.
So, do research on these things as well prior to buying in order to figure out what sort of cotton is worth it to you.
Overall, it’s possible organic cotton is better in some areas compared to regular cotton, but worse in others.
It can depends on the geographic location of the farm where the cotton is grown, methods used to grow the cotton (e.g. whether the cotton is irrigated or rain fed), and then how the cotton is produced into a cotton product (dying, bleaching etc).
– Both Organic Cotton & Regular Cotton May Have Their Drawbacks
Neither regular cotton nor organic cotton may be perfect solutions right now in terms of impact on humans, the environment, wildlife, and quality and price for the consumer – each have a distinct set of pros and cons.
Is Organic Cotton The Best Option For The Future?
– Different Considerations, Factors & Variables
Obviously the answer to this question depends on a range of factors and variables.
The first thing to consider is whether an individual’s values and priorities align with what organic cotton is, and offers.
The second thing to consider is the list of pros and cons that organic farming practices offer compared to other types of farming, such as conventional farming, and more broad sustainable farming practices
The third thing to consider the pros and cons of organic production processes, compared to other types of production processes.
Fourth, there would have to be consideration for the pros and cons of finished organic cotton products, compared to other types of products. This could apply to sellers/retailers and consumers for example, when considering things such as ease of sourcing, consumer awareness and demand affects retailers, and how price, quality and product performance impacts consumers. How easily consumers can understand what exactly each organic product offers compared to another organic product or non organic product matters too.
Fifth, there would have to be some consideration for the pros and cons of regulations, and certification programs that regulate and set the standards for organic cotton, and organic products. There’s admin, updating, and resources that have to be invested in initially setting up a producer to be compliant, and there’s also ongoing resources that need to be invested in yearly compliance.
Sixth, there would have to be some consideration for existing alternative technology, such as GM crops and seeds, and the pros and cons they offer. How much better off is society with, or without this type of alternative technology? These guides on the pros and cons of organic cotton, and the pros and cons of GM crops and foods, may provide some information on a potential answer to that question
Seventh, advancements and developments can be made in agriculture, fibre production, and technology in the future. These advancements may change things.
Eighth, there’s variables the agricultural production, and fibre production, in different regions around the world. These variables can change the assessment of whether or not organic is best or not.
– Looking At The Whole Supply & Production Chain Of An Organic Product
Some people may be interested in the features of organic cotton products, but as we outline in this guide about the pros and cons of organic cotton, organic cotton can have a number of potential drawbacks to do with yields, questionable impact of organic pesticides, questionable performance of organic/natural chemicals like vegetable dyes, and so on.
So, some sources indicate that whether or not a product is organic might not be the right point to make, but rather a better point to make might be to look at the whole supply and production chain of a product (whether it’s organic or not)
fashionhedge.com makes a point that is related to this one:
[Efforts by producers of organic cotton and other organic products are appreciated, but …] as consumers, we have to look much closer and evaluate the big picture and the entire supply chain, not just whether something is organic or not
– Choosing One Approach vs A Hybrid Or Mixed Approach Of Organic and Non Organic Options
Something we’ve considered elsewhere on this site is whether the best approach might be to rely on both organic and non organic approaches to production, instead of having to choose one over the other.
One example given is the potential benefits of combining the pros of both organic cotton, and GM cotton, when combined together in a hybrid approach. There might be the potential to create the highest possible net benefit with this approach, instead of being left with the net benefit of either solely the organic or non organic options.
Another example might be to consider the potential benefits of combining the best aspects of conventional, organic and sustainable farming practices, instead of just relying on practices from one type of farming.
Other Options & Tips To Reduce Textile Sustainability Footprint
Options and tips other than buying organic to potentially reduce your textile sustainability footprint might include:
Look at other fibres/fabrics which might rate as sustainable or eco friendly in various ways
Look for products labelled with the specific certifications that match your desired standards and criteria
Decrease your product consumption rate in general i.e. how often you buy
Buy products that will last longer (high quality might help achieve this goal), and keep your product/s longer between your next purchase
Buy secondhand and pre-used products where you can – good for sustainability
When you wash and dry your clothes – try to use water and energy efficient devices, and consider a micro plastic capture bag if washing synthetic fibre products
These tips may help reduce your impact on humans, animals and the environment.
They can also give you other options in terms of the price and quality of the product.
Sources
1. https://organiccottonplus.com/pages/learning-center
2. https://organiccottonplus.com/pages/learning-center#questions-and-answers
3. https://organiccotton.org/oc/Organic-cotton/Agronomic-practice/Agronomic-practice.php
4. http://www.cottonedon.org/FAQS
5. https://fashionhedge.com/2015/03/12/the-truth-about-organic-cotton/
6. https://www.global-standard.org/the-standard/general-description.html
7. http://www.cottonedon.org/FAQS#sustainable
8. https://organiccotton.org/oc/Organic-cotton/Standards-and-certification/Standards-and-certification.php
9. https://oecotextiles.wordpress.com/2011/01/19/estimating-the-carbon-footprint-of-a-fabric/
10. http://organic-market.info/news-in-brief-and-reports-article/gots-certified-facilities-increase-82-in-2017.html
11. https://textile-network.com/en/Technical-Textiles/Fasern-Garne/GOTS-Organic-Cotton-from-India-under-fire
12. https://www.ota.com/sites/default/files/indexed_files/Organic-Cotton-Facts.pdf
13. Various ‘Better Meets Reality’ guides
16. https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/labeling#what%20requirements
17. https://www.usda.gov/topics/organic
18. https://www.thefutonshop.com/blog/usda-certified-organic-cotton-vs-gots-certified-organic-cotton/
19. https://ota.com/advocacy/fiber-and-textiles
20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_cotton
21. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_certification
22. https://cottonaustralia.com.au/organic-cotton
23. https://www.ota.com/about-ota
24. https://www.twosistersecotextiles.com/pages/how-can-we-make-sure-a-fabric-is-free-of-chemicals-of-concern#what-does-it-mean-gots
25. https://theconversation.com/gm-crops-can-benefit-organic-farmers-too-51318
26. https://www.elkieark.com/blogs/eco-living-sustainable-living/organic-bamboo-bed-linen
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