Organic cotton is actually the first fiber we used as we launched Aventura Clothing back in the spring of 2006. The inspiration to switch to the material came from an experience John Kirsch, our CEO, had at a dry land organic cotton farm in Lubbock, Texas. Here, at the inaugural meeting of the Organic Exchange (later changed to Textile Exchange), he learned how impactful sustainable fibers could be alongside expertise in utilizing lower-impact textiles from companies like Patagonia, Timberland, and Mountain Equipment Co-op.

Even with this revolutionary experience, the prospect of our family business starting Aventura with eco and sustainable alternatives was a huge risk with unknown consumer demand. We are happy that we made the jump into fashion's sustainable environment, though challenges still present themselves. For example, greenwashing has corrupted the industry, shaking consumer trust (find a list of sustainable buzz-words to watch for here).

That's why we wanted to create this guide to organic cotton - to arm you with knowledge so that you can feel comfortable that your purchases are making a difference. We hear all the time about the benefits of organic produce, but that often is disseminated to health benefits for the consumer. In this guide, you will learn that organic cotton makes a huge difference in the environment that ultimately benefits us all.

The short answer is: YES! Organic cotton vs. conventional cotton makes a huge difference in the world of fashion and the effects it has on the environment compared to conventional cotton. It all starts with sustainability. Simply put, the organic cotton crop is produced without any chemical inputs (pesticides, fertilizers) and uses less water to grow. This helps communities and local environments plus it reduces emissions. Let's break that down more:

In fact, pesticides can negatively impact soil quality to the point that plant growth is stunted. This happens because of a chain of events starting with the overuse of chemicals. First, soil acidification happens, which damages the soil crust. This reduces organic matter, which plants thrive on. When that happens, the growth of the plants is stunted. [source]

source

More staggering than the stunted growth of the plant, is the amount of water the harsh chemicals of regular cotton necessitate. According to The World Counts, nonorganic cotton farming requires 10,000 liters of water to produce around 2.2 pounds of cotton. However, organic cotton farms save 91% of regular cotton water consumption.

One fact we love about organic cotton is that it is estimated to save 2,180 liters of water for just one pair of jeans produced compared to conventional cotton. Think about how much water you could save if you buy organic cotton instead!

The cotton farmers and local communities around cotton farms are gravely affected by the production of conventionally grown cotton. The EEA says that "human exposure to chemical pesticides is linked to chronic illnesses [source]" and exposure to chemical-based farming has been proven by the Agricultural Health Study to lead to a higher incidence of cancer, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, and asthma.

Exposure to the chemicals can happen in a variety of ways (including affecting the air quality) but perhaps the scariest is chemicals leaching into the groundwater. Studies show that pesticides have infiltrated major waterways and groundwater here in the United States and abroad. 

The same report from the EEA states that "In 2020, one or more pesticides were detected above thresholds of concern at 22% of all monitoring sites in rivers and lakes across Europe." In India, the largest cotton-producing country in the world, a 1995 survey by RK Kole and MM Bagchi found that 58% of drinking water was contaminated with pesticides above the EPA standards.

It's not just the human communities we need to caution; animals face detrimental results of pesticide use, including death.

source

Organic cotton plays an important role in protecting workers, our families, and animal communities from the harmful effects of chemical-based pesticides.

Why do pesticides have such adverse effects when growing conventional cotton? Because they are made from harmful chemicals like petroleum. These harsh chemicals penetrate our environments and negatively affect the health of soils, waterways, animals, farmers, and communities.

Switching to organic cotton does make a world of difference for our health today and in the future.

Organic cotton farming is characterized by growing cotton without synthetic pesticides or GMOs including genetically modified seeds. The crop can be grown, instead, by using natural fertilizers and bio-pesticides. Without the presence of chemicals, the soil can retain its health and produce higher-quality crops. Healthy soil can also absorb more water, creating less reliance on traditional irrigation.

source

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is an important certification for organic cotton production that allows for transparency and peace of mind for companies like us and shoppers like you.

GOTS is a worldwide industry standard in the textile industry, particularly organic cotton, that provides clear criteria for the organic fiber production process. It examines the entire supply chain (from organic farming to finished fabrics) to ensure that the products considered organic are certified.

Compared to regular cotton fabric, organic cotton does not feel of less quality. In fact, organic cotton vs conventional cotton clothing can be less irritating for those with sensitive skin or those with various skin allergies. However, it should still be noted that chemical dyes do not negate an organic label, and those with skin sensitivities should still be mindful of this process when purchasing clothing.

Any, but we especially love cotton during the warmer months. You'll see organic and BCI cotton featured heavily throughout our spring/summer collections. It's the breathability and easy care that makes it so special for us. This makes it also great for fall, as it works well to balance those tricky transition temperatures of September and October.