Organic Cotton - Sustainable Textiles

As with all organic production organic cotton is produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, insecticides or fertilisers.

Our cotton is processed using biodegradable aids, AZO and heavy metal free dyes making our garments ideal for those with sensitive skin.

Our Organic line is certified by: Control Union or the Soil Association. Organic production respects the environment.

What's the difference?

Grown without the use of herbicides insecticides and chemical fertilisers. Pests and disease are controlled by natural methods. Sustainability is key, the soil is kept fertile by rotating crops and using natural fertiliser such as manure from (organically reared) cows.

Organic cotton is generally of a higher quality. The plants being healthier. As the cotton must be fully traceable it is not mixed or downgraded with inferior quality cotton during processing.

Will I notice a difference?

Organic cotton is noticeable softer than conventional cotton. It is also very durable, wearing well over a long period of time. Organic cotton washes the same as other cotton.

About...

Pesticides - During an eight month growing period 8 litres of pesticide would be sprayed on one acre of cotton. Conventional cotton production requires the use of huge quantities of pesticides and insecticides, which causes long lasting damage to the environment and health of local populations.

(11% of all pesticides and 25% of all insecticides used in farming are used on cotton crops.)

Water use - all cotton farming requires the use large volumes of water. Because of its use and need for pesticides, a conventional farm will use substantially more water. On average a conventional producer of cotton requires 3000 cubic metres of water per acre more than the organic farmer. As this water is used in conjunction with poisonous chemicals in the form of pesticides ground water becomes contaminated damaging the health of the local population and destroying the local environment.

Chemical fertiliser - Soil which is over treated by chemical fertilisers and insecticides becomes less productive with time requiring ever greater applications of chemicals so forming a vicious cycle resulting in the abandonment of the land as infertile and the poisoning of the local eco-system.

Crop rotation - crop rotation is an important part of organic farming as it allows the soil to recover it's natural chemical balance and so fertility. Generally each type of crop is only grown once every two years in the same area. For example a potato crop grown in area A in year one will be grown in area B in year 2 while area A will have a grass crop rich in clover in year 2.

Cotton crops are often rotated with chilli crops as chillis grow in similar conditions and are a cash crop providing additional income to cotton farmers. Chillis also encourage natural pest predators for the protection of the cotton crops.

Natural pest and disease control - Common ways to control pests in organic farming involves encouraging natural predators. Depending on local conditions certain species of birds, bees and ladybirds are encouraged. This is often done through the planting of plant and flower varieties aimed at specifically attracting a particular species. All of this encourages bio-diversity and is self regulating.

About our Cotton
The cotton used in the production of our tees is sourced by our suppliers from farmers in Uganda and Turkey who are paid a premium of between 15-30% more than the market price of conventionally produced cotton.

Sustainable production is encouraged by our suppliers who guarantee purchase of the cotton crops and are very closely involved in the social and environmental aspects of the organic cotton projects. Our suppliers have been working with various organic cotton projects since 1989 and have established long term relationships with all those involved in the production of the cotton and have certain conditions which all involved comply with.

This is ensured by direct contact with and direct access to all producers in order to safeguard the authenticity and reputation of the fair trade and organic produce.

Our suppliers do not use production units where the basic rights of workers are disregarded or where child/forced labour is used. Minimum conditions include: access to clean drinking water, food and housing, fair payment, safety of the workplace, medical support.

The ecological aspect of production, that is, the organic part, is certified by the European organic certification body SKAL which operates under the auspices of the rules set out in EEC REG. 2092/91.

Organic Textiles

Why are we unique? Terramar offers 100% Organic clothing, with Terramar you know that the whole process of production is certified organic, from farming through to finishing.

It is common with organic textiles for the manufacturers to only certify the cotton used as organic. This means that only the cotton and not the finished garment are certified organic.

 


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