Why
Farming cotton unsustainably is one of the most environmentally damaging things that we do. It is both land, and particularly water intensive, responsible for 2.6% of global water usage (DW, 2021).
It creates a monoculture and destroys biodiversity as it uses large amounts of chemicals and relies on genetically modified (GM) crops.
Recommendations
Certified Cotton Labels
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)
Organic Content Standard (OCS 100)
Alternative Natural Fibres
Organic Cotton
Organic Linen/ Flax
Organic Hemp
Organic Jute
Organic Bamboo
Organic Ramie
Sustainable Wool
Lyocell (Tencel®)
Modal (Tencell®)
Alternative Natural Fibre Suppliers
Organic Textile Company
Offset Warehouse
Second Hand Material Suppliers
RS Textiles
The New Craft House
SCRAP UK
Haines Collection
Olive Road
Did you know?
Cotton takes up 2.5 % of the world's farmable land (USDA, 2020).
78 million acres of land were devoted to cotton growing worldwide in 2020-21. It is forecast to increase by 5.5% to 82.4 million acres in 2021-22.
One cotton t-shirt uses 2,700 L of water - enough to sustain 1,000 people for a day. One organic cotton t-shirt uses 65% less water.
The disappearance of most of Lake Chad and the drying up of the River Murray in Australia are but two examples of the destruction wreaked by unsustainable cotton farming.
Spread the word
In order to keep warming below 1.5C we need to halve emissions by
2030. Share this action and help play a part in reversing climate change.
