Organic Cotton

Organic cotton is steadily growing in popularity. It is already all the rage among earth-friendly and organic-product users. But even people who never even considered using organic items before are now purchasing organic cotton products.<br>

Many things can be made of organic cotton. Clothing, bedding, towels and all kinds of other fabric products can be made out of organic cotton. Backpacks and totes can even be made out of this. Also organic cotton is no longer boring since that organic cotton with color can be grown these days, and organic cotton can be colored with eco-safe dyes, too.<br>

Organic cotton has become so popular that even big chain stores, like Wal-Mart and Target, are even carrying organic cotton products. Despite many skeptics that doubt Wal-Mart would really take this green initiative, it is good on Wal-Marts part that they are at least trying to be involved in the green movement.<br>

There are so many toxic by-products that come from the modern farming techniques of conventional cotton farming. The California Sustainable Cotton Project reports that 17.5 million pounds of pesticides were put on one millions acres of cotton just in 1995. That alone causes the deaths of millions of birds and fish, and it contaminates humans water supply. If all the cotton produced was grown organically, it would reduce the use of insecticides by 25 percent.<br>

Cotton farmers who use organic farming methods use many techniques to eliminate toxic chemicals and pesticides. They substitute mulch and manure for the chemical fertilizers and use crop-rotation. They also add beneficial insects to the farming as to combat the destructive ones.<br>

There are many apparel companies that are creating their own programs that use either 100 percent cotton or a blend of it with conventional cotton. Some of these companies are Cape Fear Apparel, American Apparel, and Nuno Organic.<br>

Other surprising products that can be made out of organic cotton are personal care items. Make-up removal pads, ear swabs, sanitary products ad cotton puffs are some of these. Home furnishings can also be made of organic cotton, including blankets, bathrobes and bedding. Childrens products like toys and diapers are being made with organic cotton, too. Even stationary and notes are beginning to be made with organic cotton.<br>

And the organic fiber industry just keeps on growing. In 2003 alone organic fiber sales grew by 22.7 percent in the United States from the previous year. This helped them to reach $85 million in sales by the end of 2003. Womens organic clothing sales increased by 33.6 percent during that same time frame, as well; while mens organic clothing grew by 11 percent. Sales in other organic products, like diapers, childrens clothing and sheets also rose by at least 15.8 percent each.

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