According to the USDA (www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/land/pubs/eip_pap.html)
“Sixty years ago most crops were produced largely without the use of chemicals. Insect pests and weeds were controlled by crop rotations, destruction of crop refuse, timing of planting dates to avoid high pest population periods, mechanical weed control, and other farming practices. While these practices are still in use, changes in technology, changes in prices, and government policies resulted in development of today’s chemically intensive agriculture. Usage of conventional pesticides on farms increased from about 400 million pounds (active ingredient) in the 1960s to over 800 million pounds in the late 1970s and early 1980s, primarily due to the widespread adoption of herbicides in corn production.”

We highly recommend that you read the above report by the USDA in its entirety. It provides insight into the current status of pesticide use for 12 major crops including corn, wheat, soybeans & cotton. It also discusses the effects on the environment such as runoff of chemicals into our lakes and rivers which affects our drinking water and wildlife, as well as their resistance to decompose through chemical, photochemical (sunlight), and microbial action.

For cotton, it’s not just the chemicals used to grow cotton, it’s also the dyes used in the textile processing. Even natural dyes, made from plant and animal sources, require toxic colour-fixing agents to be consistent and endure.

In Perspective
Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC - Canada’s leading supplier of quality outdoor gear and clothing) says, “When you buy one pair of organic cotton shorts, you prevent a little over a third of a pound of synthetic fertilizers and farm chemicals from being used.” Similarly, every T-shirt produced takes a quarter of a pound. All these chemicals are creating havoc with our environment and our health, not to mention the anguish and pain that whole families go through when dealing with cancer or birth defects.

“Organic”
“Organic” means something that is grown without any synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.
“Organic Cotton” is grown in a field that’s been chemically-free for at least three years using only natural fertilizers, compost and soil amendments. Helping to make natural pest control work … the ladybug, is a needed farmers’ friend because of their appetite for harmful insects.

Organic cotton is now grown in many countries around the world and is readily available. Despite smaller yields and extra challenges, ethical farmers know that, in the long run, the environmental benefits are well-worth the effort.

Even-coloured cotton is grown "on the stem" now. Shades of brown, reddish brown, green and yellow cotton have also been successfully cultivated. Eco-friendly cotton comes at a lower cost too, estimated at 20 to 40% lower than chemically dyed cotton. Anyone suffering from chemical sensitivities should appreciate this (www.immunesupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm/ID/3750/e/1/T/CFIDS_FM/).

What can we do?
It’s no wonder there is resistance to switch from chemically dependent processes to organic processes of clothing manufacture. A recent www.EarthEasy.com article stated that cotton is the world’s most popular fabric and the clothing and textile business is BIG business.

The bottom line is demand. Manufacturers will do what we – the consumer – dictate. So, the change to environmentally responsible, organic cotton clothing begins with us – the consumer –and our desire to have a more balanced ecosystem.

Some options
MEC (www.mec.ca) has a good line of organic clothes, as do many companies now. Their organic programs chose to use chemical dyes in order to ensure longevity of the colours, but they use the lowest impact chemical dyes and minimize the use of dark dyes, which have a greater environmental impact. They also use non-chlorine bleaching and all effluents are treated.

Hemp, unlike its cotton cousin, needs little or no pesticides. Plants grow close together to shadow out weeds, require little rainfall and will grow anywhere wheat grows. Hemp fibre is four times stronger than cotton, and although it feels harsh on the skin, manufacturers are working hard to develop a softer version.

Recycled Cotton is another more earth-friendly choice in cotton clothing. Recycled cotton is cotton fabric that has been made from recovered cotton that would otherwise be cast off during the spinning, weaving or cutting process. A trade name for recycled cotton is Eco Fibre; there are no harsh chemicals used in the processing of this fabric.

Recycled plastic (PET) soda pop bottles are refined and purified, chopped down and processed into spun fibre strands. These strands are then knitted and woven into fabric.

http://www.3tree.bc.ca/ (CDN) – Organic clothing. 3Tree was established in November 1998 by owner Laura Routledge, who was frustrated trying to find socially and environmentally responsible clothing companies.

eartheasy.com/wear_orgcot_clo.htm (CDN) - Shopping links, recipes and articles. “The health of our environment is a reflection of the choices we make. The cost of clothing goes far beyond the price tag..."

http://www.ecochoices.com/ (USA) - Organic cotton clothes, rugs, hemp hammocks, mattresses and even ecoBicycles. “Create a home that is beautiful, natural and a safe environment for you and your family's enjoyment." Quality earth-friendly products available at low prices.

http://www.rawganique.com/ (USA) - Organic cotton and hemp clothing, home products and books. “We believe that hemp, raw veganism, sunshine, pure air, pure water, positive thoughts, and ahimsa awareness can transform the world and make it a safer, happier, and better place for us.”

www.abundantearth.com (USA) - "A wide variety of environmentally sensitive products and services for people who want to make a difference in the world."

http://www.cottonfieldllc.com/ (USA) - Organic women and men’s dress and casual clothes and accessories. “At Cottonfield, we live by Chief Seattle’s profound words. For us, these words not only communicate the importance of our every action on the earth, it also confirms the importance of staying connected to one another.”

www.gaiam.com (USA) - Organic and earth-friendly products and articles. "Organic cotton benefits our long-term health, the planet and the well-being of generations to come. Mother Nature simply does it best when it comes to the clothes we wear and the Earth we share."

http://www.saharaorganics.com/ (USA) – Organic cotton, hemp and silk - business, casual and sportswear, bath, bedding and socks. “Part of our ongoing effort to cater to the chemically sensitive. Our organic clothing is made with SKAL certified organic cotton. All dyes we use are botanicals or low-impact and SKAL approved.”

http://www.bluecanoe.com/store/ (USA) - Clothes and baby items. “Discover clothes you'll love to live in. Designed for comfort and mobility, Blue Canoe bodywear is also stylish and versatile. Wear it to yoga class, for dinner on the town, or just about anywhere your active and aware lifestyle takes you.”

www.underthecanopy.com/concept.html (USA) - Clothes, bedding, bath, jewellery & baby items. "Founder, President and CEO Marci Zaroff had a vision: to make a positive impact on the Earth by creating a company that improved the health and well-being of its customers while raising their environmental awareness."

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