And for a lot of people cotton underwear is a must, especially for those with sensitive skin, hence why cotton is a very popular fibre.
Did you know that Cotton is one of the world's thirstiest crops? It requires 1000 litres of water to produce one piece of underwear. Organic cotton takes 88% less water, helping to protect water resources and reduce water pollution.
Why is organic cotton more sustainable?
Conventional cotton uses synthetic pesticides, which are bad for insects and biodiversity, that must be applied by machine, while organic production uses biological controls that are a better farming alternative because it doesn't produce as much chemical runoff. Organic cotton production requires a more hands-off approach, requiring less energy and resources. A life cycle analysis found that the energy demand for organic cotton is 62% lower than for conventional cotton.
Organic Cotton Growing Practices
Organic cotton has a two-year transition period before it can be certified as organic. It is grown in a patchwork pattern to allow for more biodiversity, water retention, and reduced irrigation. This results in less water contamination from runoff.
Benefits of Organic Cotton
It helps protect against desertification by reducing the need for water and helps improve soil health and sequester carbon from the atmosphere.
And on a more humanitarian side, organic cotton production creates more job opportunities in developing countries, as it requires more labour than conventional methods.
So why aren’t we all wearing more organic cotton?
The biggest challenge facing organic cotton growers is the price. Growing it organically requires more time and labour, which means grower prices are up. Part of this comes from the lower demand for organic cotton commodities. Demand is an important component of price, but it is not the only one that determines the cost of goods.