How Sustainable is Cotton? Your Guide to the Most Popular Fabric in the World
According to the Geneva Environment Network, fashion production comprises up to 10% of humanity’s collective carbon emissions, dries up water sources, and pollutes rivers and streams. If the industry persists in its current trajectory, that share of the carbon budget could jump to 26% by 2050.
As the foremost textile used in the fashion industry, cotton production is critical for economic development, international trade, and poverty alleviation. Below, let’s examine how cotton is made, its environmental impacts, and what we can do to support sustainable models of cotton production.
How cotton is manufactured
The cotton production process begins with the cultivation of the cotton plant. Once the mature fruit of the plant, called bolls, are harvested, the fibers are extracted by separating the seeds. Then, the raw cotton fibers are carded to remove impurities, align the fibers, and finally spun into yarn or woven into fabric. Manufacturers may use various chemicals and other materials, such as solvents and dyes, during the process.
The environmental impact of cotton fabrics
A study led by a researcher from the Institute of Cotton Research in China found that cotton has environmental impacts that span from the cultivation stage until the use phase when the product reaches the end consumer. However, cotton’s most prominent environmental impact stems from the cultivation stage due to the use of pesticides, the consumption of water, and the conversion of habitat to agricultural use.
Moreover, cotton cultivation severely degrades soil quality, and pollutants in the form of pesticides, fertilizers, and minerals threaten the health of farmworkers, nearby populations, and even biodiversity.
What consumers can do
The importance of recycled or organic cotton as a preferred fiber
Conventional cotton’s current production techniques are ultimately unsustainable. Fortunately, there are cotton alternatives like recycled or organic cotton which are generally less environmentally-destructive. As consumers, we can make ethically informed choices that maximize our social impact while minimizing our environmental impact.
To help you make better sustainable fashion choices, use the Textile Exchange’s annual Preferred Fiber and Material Report as a guide. Currently, recycled cotton and organic cotton are both considered to be preferred fibers, but recycled cotton sits at the top of the list. Below are some brands that use a sustainable approach to cotton that you can support.
Brands that use sustainable cotton
Oakley
Oakley is an established eyewear and lifestyle brand that covers a wide range of products including sunglasses, bags, clothing, and more. Oakley’s line of hoodies now makes use of more sustainable cotton as the brand recently became a member of the Better Cotton Initiative, which is supported by the WWF and the Geneva Environment Network. The Better Cotton Initiative’s goal is to get brands to commit to sourcing at least 50% of their cotton from sustainable sources by 2025. This includes recycled, fair trade, and organic cotton.
Organic Basics
Certified B Corp brand Organic Basics focuses on wardrobe essentials like undergarments, basic tees and tanks, and cozy leggings. Their high-quality garments are created to last, sustainable, ethically made, and the company prides itself on being low-waste and low-impact. They also employ fabric technology that keeps clothes fresh wear after wear.
WVN
WVN is a women’s clothing company specializing in capsule collections. WVN's casual clothing line includes casual knits, joggers, and underwear, and the brand is available online and with select offline retailers. The company was co-founded by Kate Fisher who is a pioneer in the sustainable clothing space. As another B Corp certified label, WVN’s clothes are made in Fairtrade Certified factories using Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified fabrics.
Consumers have the power to make choices that have social and environmental implications. Opting for clothing made from recycled or organic cotton fibers can lead to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly fashion industry while offering ethical benefits for consumers.