Earth-friendly White Jewel -- The Story of Organic Cotton

Earth-friendly White Jewel -- The Story of Organic Cotton

Organic cotton refers to cotton grown without the use of any synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilizers and in harmony with nature. In the fields where this cotton is grown, chemical intervention is eliminated for more than three years, and the seeds are sown when the earth has regained its natural strength. Unlike conventional cotton cultivation, no genetic modification technology is used. For example, by utilizing insects as natural enemies, pest damage is controlled without relying on chemical pesticides.

The most attractive feature of organic cotton is its environmental friendliness. The reality is that approximately 16% of the world's agricultural chemical use is devoted to cotton cultivation. Large amounts of pesticides and chemical fertilizers have polluted soil and water, affecting the surrounding ecosystem. Organic cotton, however, minimizes this environmental impact and utilizes the natural resilience of the soil. It also uses less water and reduces the risk of health hazards caused by pesticides, thereby protecting the livelihood of the farmers involved in its production. For consumers, the absence of chemical residues makes the material gentle to the skin, and people with allergies and sensitive skin can wear it with peace of mind.

However, this "white jewel" of organic cotton also comes with some challenges. First, it is more expensive to produce than conventional cultivation methods. Because it is grown without the aid of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, the yield is inevitably lower and the price is higher. In addition, in order to receive international certifications such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and OCS (Organic Content Standard) as proof of organic cotton, strict standards must be met, which can be a heavy burden for producers. This is undeniably a heavy burden for producers.

Nevertheless, the value of this environment- and people-friendly fiber remains unshaken. Currently, India, China, Turkey, the U.S., and Peru are the world's major cotton-producing countries, and India in particular is known as the world's largest producer of organic cotton. A wide variety of products are made from this cotton, including T-shirts, towels, baby clothes, bed linens, and cloth bags, all of which are widely used in our daily lives. Especially in recent years, many companies have been focusing on the development of products incorporating organic cotton, as sustainable fashion has become the focus of much attention.

Organic cotton is more than just "cotton"; it is a material that reflects the wishes of people who care about the earth and look to the future. The handiwork of producers who believe in the power of nature, without relying on pesticides or chemical fertilizers, lives in each of its fibers. And when people who know about the gentleness of organic cotton choose to use it with environmental awareness, this sustainable choice will become more widespread. When we pick up an organic cotton product, we should think about the story behind it and check the GOTS or OCS certification mark, which is also a small step toward the future.