Organic

Organic materials, such as organic cotton, are derived from non-genetically modified seeds and are never sprayed with herbicides and pesticides. According to The World Health Organization, herbicides and pesticides cause severe poisoning in 3 million workers a year in developing countries, and out of this 3 million, as many as 20,000 die yearly.

Cotton

Non organic cotton farming is a largely unsustainable agricultural practice, and also accounts for 25% of the world's insecticide market, making it the most pesticide-intensive crop grown on the planet. Unsustainable cotton farming has already been responsible for the destruction of large-scale ecosystems (such as the Aral Sea in central Asia) and the deteriorating health and livelihoods of people exposed to largescale cotton farming.

Organic Cotton

On the other hand, organic cotton never uses genetically modified seeds, retains more water efficiently thanks to increased organic matter in the soil, conserves soil through crop rotation, and does not involve the use of any harmful chemicals whatsoever. Keep an eye out for the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which is the world's leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibers. Only textile products that contain a minimum of 70% organic fibers can become GOTS certified. Also, all chemical inputs (such as dyes) must meet certain environmental and toxicological criteria.