Organic cotton is cotton that is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. It is generally defined as cotton that is grown organically in subtropical countries such as India, Turkey, China, and parts of the USA from non-genetically modified plants, and without the use of any synthetic agricultural chemicals such as fertilizers or pesticides aside from the ones allowed by the certified organic labeling. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic producers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production. Organic certification prohibits the use of genetically modified (GM) .
Organic cotton is the go-to material for sustainable brands, but it is not perfect. Because organic cotton yields fewer fibers than GMO cotton, it requires more plants and more land to produce. Plus, before the organic fiber is turned into a garment, it requires lots of processing and dyeing, which can also be very chemically intensive. Unless the garment is GOTS certified, it can be hard to tell if it has been colored using safe or low impact colorants.
In summary, organic cotton is a type of cotton that is produced without the use of pesticides or synthetic chemicals. It is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment and is verified by third-party certification organizations.
