Choosing Organic T-shirts For Our Environment

Organic T-shirts For Our Environment

WEBWIRE – Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Sherrie Coleman from www.saltmotion.com reveals the facts about organic cotton versus conventionally grown cotton and what this means for our environment.

The difference, environmentally, between organic cotton and conventionally grown cotton is huge and not only effects our environment, but directly impacts the health of the cotton growers.

“Being ‘green’ means we need to consider what happens at grassroots,” Sherrie Coleman said.

“Buying organic cotton isn’t a hippy, new age thing, it’s about what you’re supporting, and indirectly doing, by buying non-organic cotton.” Mrs Coleman said.

“It’s about broadening our vision to the entire supply chain, rather than simply looking on the clothing rack in our local shops.”

A few statistics* to consider;

Conventionally grown cotton accounts for more than 25% of worldwide insecticide use and 10% of the pesticides. Pesticides used in cotton production are among the most hazardous available.
Millions of children receive up to 35% of their estimated lifetime dose of some carcinogenic pesticides by the age of five through food, contaminated drinking water, household use and pesticide drift.
It can take up to 500 grams of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to conventionally grow the 1.5kgs of cotton needed to make a T-shirt and a pair of jeans.
Pesticides used on cotton cause acute poisonings and chronic illness to farm workers worldwide. Acute respiratory symptoms and other health effects in communities surrounding cotton farms are linked to high use of defoliation chemicals.

The team at Saltmotion have made the conscious decision and commitment to be ecological; to be gentle and respectful of our planet. An ocean art gallery at heart, Saltmotion researched the best product so they could introduce an organic T-shirt range that is also Carbon Neutral as well as Fair Wear.

The T-shirt range is carbon neutral by the way of using renewable energy and low impact farming techniques.

“They’re manufactured using majority wind and solar power so it’s clean and renewable energy”.

Fair Wear Foundation is the Fair Trade body that regulates the clothing industry to ensure that working conditions are safe and free of pesticides, exclude child labour, excessive working hours and unhygienic working conditions.

For more information visit Saltmotion Gallery at Market Place Manly, Sydney or view their T-shirts online at www.saltmotion.com/saltmotion-apparel.html

*Statistics from Blank Cotton