cornflowerblue - Why Organic?

Why Organic?

styling kids, helping people, protecting the planet

Fewer chemicals used

Less water used
Less Carbon produced
Why wouldn’t you buy organic?

The fabric lasts longer
The fabric is gorgeous
No bleaching or harsh chemicals are used in organic cotton
Why wouldn’t you wear organic?

Growing and harvesting one pound of cotton fibre to make a t-shirt impacts the earth’s air, water and soil, as well as the health of people living in cotton growing areas.

Why isn’t organic cotton grown everywhere? Put simply, because the cost is higher than consumers are willing to pay. Thankfully this is changing and organic practices are being embraced worldwide.

Today, conventional cotton crops occupy 3% of the world’s cultivated areas. Yet it consumes 25% of pesticides and 10% of insecticides produced in the world. One field of cotton can be treated up to 25 times before harvest. Organic cotton production does not simply mean replacing synthetic fertilizers and pesticides with organic ones. Organic cultivation is based on a systemic approach that aims to establish a diverse and balanced farming ecosystem that ideally includes all types of crops and farm activities. Farms need to complete a two-year conversion period to change their production system from conventional to organic. An essential element of organic production is the careful selection of varieties adapted to local conditions in terms of climate, soil and robustness to pests and diseases. Soil fertility management and crop nutrition are based on crop diversification and organic inputs such as compost, mulch and manures. Pest management measures focus essentially on pest prevention and the stimulation of a balanced agro-ecosystem through crop rotation, mixed cultivation, trap crops, and the use of natural pesticides when pest infestation rises above the economic threshold.

cornflowerblue’s organic Cotton is certified by GOTS, see www.global-standard.org/com for more details. By using only certified organic cotton, you can be assured of the integrity of our product.

	Organic	Conventional
Seed Preparation	Natural, untreated GMO free seeds.	Typically treated with fungicides or insecticides. Possible GMOs.
Soil Preparation	Healthy soil through crop rotation. Retains moisture in soil from increased organic matter.	Synthetic fertilizers, loss of soil due to mono-crop culture, intensive irrigation.
Weed Control	Healthy soil creates natural balance. Beneficial insects and trap crops used.	Aerial spraying of insecticides and pesticides. Nine of the commonly used pesticides are known cancer-causing agents.
Harvesting	Natural defoliation from freezing temperatures or through use of water management.	Defoliation induced with toxic chemicals.
Production	Warp fibres stabilized using double-plying or nontoxic cornstarch.	Warp fibres stabilized using toxic waxes.
Whitening	Safe peroxide is used.	Chlorine bleaching creates toxic by-products, which are released into the environment.
Finishing	Soft scour in warm water with soda ash.	Hot water, synthetic surfactants, additional chemicals (sometimes formaldehyde).
Dyeing	Low impact fibre-reactive or natural dyes with low metal and sulfur content.	High temperature containing heavy metals and sulfur.
Printing	Low-impact, water-based inks or pigments with no heavy metals.	Pigments may be petroleum based and contain heavy metals. Run-off spills into waterways.
Fair Trade	Social standards in place to ensure a safe, healthy environment with living wages.	No social guidelines. Possible child or forced labour.
Price	Initial cost more expensive. Long term - priceless	Initially cheaper. Long-term - devastating

By buying organic cotton you are buying a healthy product, with clear standards and labels so you know where the product is from and how it was made. You are helping the environment and having a positive impact on producer livelihoods.

Source: Organic Cotton Organisation, Sustainable Cotton Organisation, Organic Cotton India, Harmong Arts & Fox-Rich Textiles.

To find out about the fiber footprint for organic v’s conventional cotton click here:
http://www.sustainablecotton.org/footprint_calculator/growers/
http://aboutorganiccotton.org/OCdiff.html

Why environmentally conscious fabrics like bamboo and soy?

styling kids, helping people, protecting the planet

Bamboo

Bamboo is one of the most successful plants in the world. It is very fast growing and is resistant to bacteria, insects and disease. One of the reasons bamboo is such a successful plant is because it is rarely attacked by pests or infected by pathogens. Bamboo contains a natural antibacterial agent and pesticide known as “Bamboo Kun”.

This inherent quality of bamboo means that it is not necessary to treat the bamboo crop with pesticides or chemicals. The crop is grown completely naturally.

The bamboo kun not only aids in the successful propagation of bamboo crops, it is also maintained when bamboo is transformed into fabric. Bamboo kun makes Bamboo Body fabric naturally anti bacterial, anti microbial, anti fungal and odour resistant.

Bamboo is a valuable asset in the fight against global warming. Similar to trees, bamboo soaks up CO2, uses the carbon in the process of photosynthesis and releases oxygen into the atmosphere as a by-product. Interestingly, bamboo absorbs up to five times more carbon dioxide, and releases 35% more oxygen into the atmosphere than an equivalent stand of trees. The bamboo can help to neutralise the effect that textile production has on global warming.

Source: www.bamboobody.com.au

Soy

Soy is a new eco-friendlier form of fabric that will be stocked on cornflowerblue in Winter 2010. In 1999, in China a soft, smooth, drapy, comfortable fabric similar in feel to cashmere was created from soy. In fact it is often referred to as vegetable cashmere. The process basically uses the waste or leftover dregs from the production of other soy products like tofu. These dregs are processed to remove the leftover soy proteins which can then be spun into soy fiber. While this is a chemically intensive process it is a closed loop process. So the chemicals are recycled and used again.

Soy fabric is absorbent, warm, resistant to bacteria and UV rays and when discarded is biodegradable, many fabrics aren't. And its easy care, being machine washable and either line drying or drying at low settings to prevent shrinkage.

China, the largest textile manufacturer and exporter, has begun mass producing soy-based yarn. Right now soy clothing is mainly found as underwear, socks, scarves, sheets and yoga or exercise apparel. It is also a popular choice for very soft, comfortable baby clothing.

Soy can be blended with other textiles like organic cotton, bringing the benefits of each to fabrics and beautifully colored using low impact dyes. Stay tuned for more information on soy clothing on cornflowerblue.