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About Organics

Advantages of Organic Cotton

Conventional cotton farming has been labeled one of agriculture's most environmentally destructive activities, but fortunately, positive alternatives for cotton apparel have emerged, and with it, a growing market for organically grown cotton.

WHAT IS ORGANIC COTTON?
Organic farming incorporates biologically based rather than chemically dependent growing systems to raise cotton crops in several important areas:

Soil - Massive amounts of chemicals are used in the growing and processing of cotton. Chemical fertilizers can have a number of harmful effects on the environment, including the contamination of ground and surface water, beneficial insects, and surrounding plant and wildlife. Organic cotton farming utilizes natural compost, frequent crop rotations, and cover crop strategies in place of synthetic fertilizers. In order to achieve organic certification, cotton fields must be free of synthetically derived chemicals for three years.

Pesticides - Even when used according to directions, pesticides can be extremely harmful to people, wildlife and the environment. According to one recent pesticide study in California, cotton ranked third among California crops for total number of worker illnesses caused by pesticides. In addition, fish, livestock, birds, beneficial insects and soil microorganisms can all be negatively impacted by pesticides. In organic cotton farming, farmers cultivate a diversity of natural enemies that prey on insect pests, and introduce them to the fields at well-timed intervals. Weeds are controlled by hand labor or flame devices rather than herbicide applications.

Harvest - In most areas, cotton plants must be killed before harvesting. Organic cotton practices use certified materials and lack of water rather than chemical applications to achieve this ready-for-picking state. Though some organic farming operations use machines for harvesting, many rely on the hand picked method, ensuring a higher quality of cotton and also a higher standard of living for developing countries that produce cotton.

BLUE CANOE & THE ORGANIC COTTON STORY
According to founder and president of Blue Canoe, Laurie Dunlap, utilizing organic cotton in the company's line of yoga and bodywear was one of the easiest business decisions she has ever made.

"I have always embraced the whole concept of natural fabrics and organic materials," she said. "For activities such as yoga and Pilates and any holistic fitness activity, having clean, pure, non-toxic fabric next to your skin is crucial."

Blue Canoe has manufactured yoga apparel and bodywear since 1993, and uses only handpicked, certified Peruvian organic cotton in its stylish, functional line of apparel.

Dunlap said after the manufacturing process, Blue Canoe utilizes fiber reactive dye that works only on natural porous fiber and is absorbed rather than coating the fiber. According to Dunlap, it's the least toxic of dyes, takes less water, uses less energy, and produces less waste.

"It's definitely a conscious and deliberate choice, but one that's definitely worth it. We hear from our customers all the time, and they truly appreciate our commitment to the environment," said Dunlap. "People are concerned about the environment, and about the choices they make. We all want the same thing: a healthy and secure future for our children. People are looking for alternatives to chemical-ridden clothing and we're happy to provide a great alternative."

Source: Blue Canoe and the Cleaner Cotton Campaign, produced by the Sustainable Cotton Project

More Information

For more information about organics, please visit these web sites:

·	The Organic Cotton Site is dedicated to all the farmers, manufacturers, activists, retailers and others who are devoting their energies to making organic cotton a viable agricultural and economic alternative.

·	The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for the organic industry in North America. OTA's mission is to encourage global sustainability through promoting and protecting the growth of diverse organic trade.

·	Pesticide Action Network North America: Cotton Resources Resources about conventional and organic cotton production and marketing.