Nowadays we frequently hear friends and family say they have opted the organic way of life… be it organic food or organic clothing or even organic farming. The most common assumption is that, organic product is eco-friendly and does not contain any synthetic elements. It is true in a broader sense, but it is more than just the absence of unnatural materials.
...So what exactly does organic mean?
The USDA states that the goal of organic foods and organic farming is to
"integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity."
ORGANIC products must have an ingredients list and the contents should be 95% or more certified organic, meaning free of synthetic additives like pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and dyes, and must not be processed using industrial solvents, irradiation, or genetic engineering, according to the USDA. The remaining 5% may only be foods or processed with additives on an approved list.
Organic Food
It is a common misconception that organic food is healthier and have a vitamin/mineral advantage. Various studies conducted say that the published literature lacks strong evidence that organic foods are significantly more nutritious than conventional foods. Consumption of organic foods may reduce exposure to pesticide residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. HOWEVER...One of the goals of organically grown and produced foods are to encourage environmentally friendly farming and growth practices, cycling of natural resources, and growing food without the need for harsh pesticides or chemical fertilizers. This makes many organic crops more volatile, but focuses on environmental sustainability as well as yield. Some studies have shown organic farms have a lower environmental impact than conventional ones.
Organic Cotton
The idea of organic cotton is confusing to many of us. It’s taken a little longer to catch on because the correlation isn’t as direct. More people are becoming knowledgeable as to how the organic cotton movement is just as powerful and important as that of organic foods. In addition to being one of the most widely grown crops in the world, growing conventional cotton is also one of the most chemical-intensive. These chemicals have tremendous impact on the earth’s air, water, soil, and the health of people in cotton-growing areas. They are among the most toxic chemicals as classified by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The problem is even worse in developing countries with uninformed consumers, and lack of stable institutions and property rights. In addition to destroying the land, thousands of farmers die from exposure to these chemicals every year.
Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture.
Organic cotton is considered to be a skin-friendly natural fiber. While conventional cotton can sometimes cause rashes to newborns, pre-teens or even adults with sensitive skin, organic cotton is perfectly safe. This is an ideal fabric for manufacturing clothing as well as sheets, crib bedding, towels and more. Organic cotton manufacturing also creates better work environments for farmers by limiting their skin to skin contact with chemicals and pesticides and also alleviating the financial pressure of purchasing large quantities of pesticides.
It is a fact that organic cotton items cost anywhere from 10 to 45 percent more than conventional cotton products. But wait, before you pass on that stylish organic cotton T-shirt or set of organic cotton bath towels, remember what you are paying for: clean water, healthy soil, fair wages, global economic progression, a cleaner environment and a healthier lifestyle.
EARTHWORKS ORGANIC PRODUCTS
We source our organic materials from southern region of India, which is of the highest quality. We have a wide range of organic cotton and canvas bags which are customized according to your needs. Some of the popular organic cotton canvas bags include school bags for children, yoga mat bags, shopping bags and trendy handbags all of which are 100% recyclable. You have a wide range of thickness to choose from as well as colours.
Contact us for more details.