Organic Cotton: For Clothing, Baby, Bedding and More

I'm all for organic cotton and bamboo textile clothing and look for them when sprucing up the wardrobe, but why does it seem they're made overseas. That's an awful lot of carbon footprint in transportation.

Great article!

Probably because no one would buy them if they were made at US manufacturing costs. You also have to consider that the raw materials would be incredibly wasteful to ship hear. If most organic cotton is produced outside the US it is a lot more efficient to send a container ship full of jeans to the US than it is to send a container ship full of cotton fluff to the US to be made into jeans. I think the real waste comes in once it gets here. A huge cargo ship is pretty efficient, but we then put it onto thousands of trucks because we don't like efficient trains in this country.

Hi All! Yes, it is expensive to manufacture bamboo and other sustainable garments in the US but isn't our future worth a few extra bucks? Check out my line of bamboo apparel at trubu.com, it's all manufactured in California! We are just getting it launched, it's beautiful and feels like a million bucks and while it's a tad higher than some of the garments made in China, we feel it's definitely the way to go! Enjoy and have a lovely weekend! And, change your shirt, it will help change the world! :)

I love organic cotton! I have a couple jackets that are organic cotton & they are the softest ones I have even after several washes!

Texas is a significant source for organic cotton and organic cotton fabrics are spun, knitted, and woven here in states. So not all oganic fabrics are from overseas. If anybody's looking for organic cotton baby/toddler clothing, check out my baby business, www.sweettbaby.com. I do all my manufacturing here in Atlanta, GA. I also watched the 11th Hour last night and it far exceeded my expectations. It's powerful!

I own a small organic clothing company and I make everything and hand dye it myself. If I order premade t-shirts then they are american apparel. I have had offers to have my designs produced oversea, which would make my profit Huge, but I won't do it. I would rather stay a small business and make the most eco-friendly options available. If I do have my designs produced I will have it done in America. There are a lot of companies that have things made in the US and they are making less money, but can feel great abotu what they are doing. Maybe if these Big companies were less interested in profits they would support our economy and more farmers here would grow organic cotton. For the prices that they are selling items for (ex-jeans for 170.00) they could afford to support our economy.

I produce organic kids clothing and want to add that if you are buying printed garments to check whether the ink is organic too and not stuffed full of chemicals - as this rather defeats the object!
Over here in the UK you can buy clothing that has independent certification for the Soil Association so it's worth looking out for the label. You can see my certified organic kids clothing range at http://www.arabellamiller.com

The famous "it takes 1/3 of a pound of chemicals to produce enough cotton for a t-shirt" line is just completely inaccurate, not to mention the other "statistics" out there on conventional cotton. The quotes taken are from at least 30 years ago.

Today there are virtually no chemicals applied to cotton because of integrated pest management, which means they introduce predator bugs to kill the harmful bugs on the cotton plants. (done on both oragnic cotton and conventional cotton)
Cotton uses hardly any water because they are very draught-tolerant plant. This is why cotton can grow in Texas, California and other hot climates!

Again, this is all about marketing! Anyone can make anything sound good if they are using incorrect data!

Thanks for that comment Meg, I have always wonder about that statement. Do you have references I can check?

Hello,
I live in Topanga, CA. My business is primarily custom upholstery. Todays clients are asking for 100% organic cotton to be used both for the inserts of pillows, cushions, etc. and the outer materials as well. Can you assist me with a wholesale company dealing in organic cotton in the Los Angeles area where I can purchase my materials?
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Karen Sherwood

Hey guys,

I created a site for people to gain more information on the various organic and all natural clothing options that are available all over the world. Check out the site, if you have any suggestions/ideas let me know.

www.AllNaturalClothes.com

Studio Scrubs, all sustainable health care uniforms! Sooooo soft and made in Canada! Check them out!
www.studioscrubs.com

is it correct that cotton organic is used (recycle) cotton product ?

To address the question raised earlier about the lack of locally produced organic cotton goods, "Grow Free" is a new line of organic clothing for girls and juniors that is designed, grown, sewn and made in the USA. The site is still in its early days, but check it out for a preview of the clothes: http://www.growfreeusa.com

Online ordering will be available within a few weeks.

Although Nike may use organic cotton, I can't ignore their use of sweatshops to make their products.

Other than that, yay for organic cotton!

Very good article and very true comments.

Organic cotton does cost a bit more, but worth every penny!

Personally, paying that extra bit for reducing the ecological footprint of my clothes makes it all the more satisfying - I know I will make the best use of them as I've spent my hard-earned cash on them! It goes against the worrying trend of consumerism at the moment, where people completely restock their wardrobe every season, a waste of money, materials, and landfill. It really makes no sense to me. I

is there a site that lists the carbon footprint of some of the products talked about here--specifically organic products made in usa. does any one provide that info and is there anywhere manufacturers can apply for this data to be developed for their company and wholesalers/retail to use this data as criteria for buying?

thanks--i think it could be a selling point --usa vs overseas.

I am founder and owner of the sustainable small business called ecofabs.
My company sells natural/ certified organic upholstery fabrics and sustainable fashion fabrics. Our products include but are not limited to 100% certified organic cotton fabrics, bamboo, Hemp etc
Our organization supports pesticide free farming.
We donate 5% of our sales revenue to encourage pesticide free farming in under developed countries and also to support underprivileged farmers and their families in the developing world.
please visit us and support the environment
our website is
www.ecofabs.net
or place an orde at 360-635-6510

Very good article and very true comments.

i am doing a project fopr school and you know what i think this is a great eye opener !!!!!

What about hemp? Are they really that afraid I might have a bad day and decide to roll up my shirt and smoke it??

I am thinking about buying some land and farming bamboo.I really love the idea and I live in the caribean.This is a very accessable thing for me to do and it can bring jobs to a poor communtiy.Can any one tell me how I could find buyers for the bamboo.I will also aprechiate it if any one has info. about importation regulations for bamboo to the USA.Thanks
poloismygame@yahoo.com

That's a great article with lots of valid information for the organic cotton market.
I am working for organic cotton farming companies for over 10 years now and i also started a new blog about organic cotton at fromorganic.com web site.

Feel free to come and visit my blog and leave a comment if you wish to do so.

Once again, this was one of the best articles i read on this topic so far.

I am a mother who buys organic clothing and I have to say it is very soft and lasts much longer than conventional cotton. I opened up my own boutique which sells natural and organic baby products. My daughter has very sensitive skin and sense I have been using these products she doesn't break out in rashes anymore. I would definitely recommend trying to go natural and organic...in small steps of course:)

If you are a parent who would like to try out some of these products, visit www.sweetiepiebaby.com

It is great to see so much interest around organic cotton. This is a good sign of things to come. I highly recommend checking out the Holy Cow Company if you’re interested in what’s new in organic cotton. Each Holy Cow organic product can be traced via google maps to the farm field where it was grown. There are some very cool organic tees with kids sizes on the way (HolyCowCompany.com). Have fun and let's keep growing the organic cotton market!

This is typical of these kinds of "authorities". You have little or no knowledge of basic economics, basic logistics or true agricultural information.

First of all, by pushing for "organic" you just drive up the price for something that just can't be made in the quantities that you seem to want. Meanwhile, more traditional methods continue to try to meet the world's needs.

As to using trucks rather than trains because we just "won't use trains" is a fallacy. Have you seen how many truck trailers are now, and have been for decades, on flat rail cars? Both trains and trucks are used. How many rail sidings do you see next to your favorite Gap or other retailer. Trucks are essential in the logistics of distributing all products. Of course, if you want to make frequent trips to our port cities and manufacturing facilities and farms to pick up your goods, then try it. By the way, have you looked at the latest gas prices? Oh, by the way, I work for a manufacturing company. We won't sell one of anything. Not even a box full. It is just too costly for us to do it.

Agriculture is almost purely supply and demand, except where the government subsidies distort that balance. And the U.S. (that many of you weenies seem to hate but won't leave) is not unique in creating that distortion. Many countries subsidze farming of all sorts for a multitude of reasons. Such meddling, which is almost totally politically driven, just puts even more pressure on agricultural production by fewer producers that aren't subsidized. The result is the need to use less than desirable methods to meet those unrelenting demands.

As you look across the world, human demand is what drives every raw material supply. So, in a pure sense, if people didn't demand things like food, water, clothing and shelter we wouldn't have these issues. So, as some of you have logically concluded (perverse, but logical) if humans were simply extinguished, these problems wouldn't exist. Of course, you can try to force the world to just want what you want. But historically this has always failed. Dictatorial desires have always failed over time. Human beings always find ways to find freedom over time.

Yes, maybe the cotton seems to feel softer and lasts longer. Well, many thought expensive chocolate also tasted much better until true blindfold testing found that to be false. We can make ourselves believe anything, but that doesn't mean it's factual. Feelings don't substitute for facts.

As to "carbon footprints", that's just "green babble". What alternatives do you propose? Going backwards to sailing ships and an agrarian society? Fat chance that will happen. You seem to cling very tightly to this electronic medium, as you type these very "concerned" words. The generation of the electricity that you use to produce and distribute your "very important words" is itself a "carbon footprint". So, why don't you stop making such a "carbon footprint" and quit trying to tell us how "concerned" you really are? You're a hypocrite and don't even realize it.

So where are we? We have an ever-growing world population that demands the basics for survival and the result is all sorts of things happening that aren't necessarily the best for the environment but still essential for our survival. So compromises are unavoidable. Some come in the form of pesticides, some in excessive use of some natural resources, and some in bizarre laws and trade practices. But these are all still a means to an end. That being an incredible volume of needs that keep putting incredible stresses on production and delivery. So, we have to work toward improving how we do it. Merely standing around and proclaiming how "green" you are in your "exclusive" "organic" clothes is nothing but another example of status symbols that do little to solve the problem. It is elitism under the "environment" tag..

To make so many statements like I see here, that lack any fact or substance is nothing more than patting yourselves on your backs for being such good "environmentalists". Unfortunately, most of you seem to be so fatally ignorant and unable to think for yourselves that you just form these electronic herds of sheep and follow each other as the "better" people. This arrogance does nothing to solve the problems. It just continues to prod ever more whining without a lick of sense of what should be done based on what can be done.

Get your facts, get informed, and stop being such "green" sheep. The world is so very complex and your ideas are so very naive. Until you can make sensible, constructive comments based on facts and reality, all you will do is strain your egos as you keep trying to pat yourselves on your respective backs.

i love eco E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G!

Interesting posts! Something else to note is imported textiles are subject to intense pesticide spraying when they come into the US. You should wash clothes your clothes before wearing them if they are manufactured abroad.

I'm searching for an eco-friendly manufacturer in the US that will print my designs on a sturdy natural fabric -- like a canvas. Does anyone have any referrals they'd care to share? It's not easy finding the right source. Appreciate your help in advance.

Green Sheep?

I want one! how Eco!

Really, really interesting posts.....

I design a collection of very luxurious women's clothing (www.sylviaheisel.com) and am struggling to source organic fabrics. We make everything in NYC and our customers care more about quality and design than cost so fabric price isn't an issue.
We're not really a "green" company.....it's more about trying to do as much as we can to incorporate something we feel is important and the only option for our future into our lives and business.....
Anyhow.....we have an amazing organic cotton twill and organic cotton tee's in the collection, both sourced in the US (they are SKAL and OEKO-TEX certified but I'm not sure where they get, weave or dye their cotton).
Problem is we can't find many other fabrics. We're desperately searching for a great qualty organic woven shirting fabric and any other great organic textiles for clothing, especially anything that can be eveningwear.....
Any leads would be greatfully appreciated......

Great rants and comments.

I believe if we as Americans would pay attention to what we buy and where it comes from we could positively effect the economy. I personally WILL pay more for a quality product made in the US.

Look at this company called Brand of the Free. They produce great quality American made (sweat shop free) certified organic cotton t-shirts, from American grown organic cotton. http://www.brandofthefree.net

just my .02

I read on-line that organic cotton grown outside the U.S. is fumigated once it's brought over to the U.S. This defeats the purpose of buying something organic. I was wondering if it would be possible to locate clothing manufacturers that exclusively use only organic cotton grown in the U.S.?

I read on-line that organic cotton grown outside the U.S. is fumigated once it's brought over to the U.S. This defeats the purpose of buying something organic. I was wondering if it would be possible to locate clothing manufacturers that exclusively use only organic cotton grown in the U.S.?

This is in response to the comment posted earlier about the inaccuracy of cotton water usage. We at 3 Clothing company have done quite a bit of research into the growing needs of cotton. Yes there is some cotton grown in arid land. However, to produce large amounts of cotton using conventional methods requires large amounts of fertilizer. The more fertilizer that is used, the more water is needed to grow the cotton. This is actually a fact for any plant that uses conventional fertilizers. Here is an article about how an entire sea has been reduced to 10% of it's original size do to the huge water needs to grow conventional cotton. Aral sea Uzbekistan is the second largest producer of conventional cotton in the world. 3 Clothing company produces organic clothing that is Uzbekistan free.

i find these problems my own problems as i love the earth as i love my own mother. lets work out a solution to improve people's conciousness. just as u are doing.
trying to do mine, could u advice me a place or a way to buy organic cotton wholesale. we need it o sow some t-shirts.
peace love and freedom to all

i find these problems my own problems as i love the earth as i love my own mother. lets work out a solution to improve people's conciousness. just as u are doing.
trying to do mine, could u advice me a place or a way to buy organic cotton wholesale. we need it o sow some t-shirts.
peace love and freedom to all

what effect does organic textiles have on our economy and on our personal health?

Where can I find organic denim mills and manufactuers. Do any do small lot production for sustainable apparel?

Finding the materials to use has been a real test for me. I appreciate all of the data and discussion but will continue to search for answers. Bamboo is a great plant- I use it in my garden, to build small things, but I am still hesitant to include it as a material for my textile work. I have tried to use reclaimed fibers but as the textile industry has moved to other countries there are fewer mill ends to use. And processing for re-use is important to consider. I feel that buying locally is an important part of supporting your community, cutting down on shipping and transportation pollution, and taking steps toward personal responsibility. I lived near a paper plant when I went to school and saw how devastating the process was to such a beautiful place. But this is a consumer driven society and demand fuels supply and a huge cost to the economy and ecosystem. I hope that there will be more development in sustainable materials in the many levels of the product's life; growing, chemical use and re-use. And I hope I can find it when it happens! Media can be a huge part of any change. Thanks for your infomration.

well i guess its a gr8 idea to use organic cotton........................................lets do a bit from our side to save our beautiful environment.......after all we all share the same earth and its everyones duty to save it!

Hello,

I'm thinking of starting a web based business to sell organic and recycled baby products. I'd like to find a U.S based manufacturer.

Can anyone recommend a place to start?

Thanks!

My grand parants own a fileld where they grow organic cottons, I love the fact that they use their own grown cottons to make cozy clothing to keep them warm during the winter.

Hello Everyone,

We are Senior DECA students at James Wood High School in Winchester, Va. Each year we compete at the State DECA Competition by presenting a project that fits into one of the various competing categories. This year we hope to make it beyond the state level and proceed to the National DECA Competition with a project in “Public Relations.” In this category the goal is to come up with an educational/beneficial campaign theme and promote it to the general public. By becoming newly interested and informed about Organic Cotton and what it has to offer to our environment, we have decided to base our project around the benefits of organic/recycled cotton. We are writing to you all in request for any information, tips, or samples from your organizations/businesses. All information or samples will be cited and promoted to the public, giving our audience the opportunity to keep your organization/business in mind when choosing organic and recycled goods in the future.
If you have any questions, concerns, or comments please feel free to contact us. We will be more than happy to give you more in depth information on what our project withholds.

Thank you for your time,
Sara Michael
Olivia Wymer
E-mail: JWDeca@yahoo.com

I live in Nebraska.does anyone know if i could grow cotton or bamboo here . I have 14 acers of land. Would love to plant something helpful for are planit. Thanks!

Hi my name is Michelle and I one of a few sales consultants that just starting selling organic clothing for women. It is a brand new company call Kikapaprika. The clothing is organic cotton and is Made in the USA.

Organic cotton is amazing. It's so soft, comfortable and our clothing is quite affordable.
Michelle

I know from first hand that Organic cotton is a great way to naturally alleviate some skin conditions.

That is an easy call since conventional methods of cotton production use such harsh chemicals.

I have heard some varying numbers on the amount, but everyone agrees the chemicals just are bad for the earth and us.

"Traditional cotton production also attributes to 25% of worldwide insecticide use and 10% of worldwide pesticide use."

http://www.peacefuldisorder.com

We know that organic clothing is better for the environment.

Does anyone have evidence that organic clothing is better for your health?

Better for your health, definitely. Its not just in the growing of conventional cotton that is bad, but it is also in the processing of the fibers. The chemicals that go into it are absolutely toxic(Dioxin, Pentachlorophenol, Heavy Metals) and leach into your body through your largest organ, your skin.

http://www.peacefuldisorder.com

We want to make a big amount of sweats/hoodies, to sell trough our organisa