Wednesday, August 2, 2017

World Wisdom: Organic Cotton Revolution

What do 1960s food and your bed sheets have in common?"

Answer:
>> The organic movement revolutionized the food industry in the 1970s. But almost 40 years later, why hasn't the linen manufacturing industry undergone the same changes?

According to Coyuchi [www.coyuchi.com]—which pioneered organic cotton textiles for the home 25 years ago—the organic revolution is finally starting to embrace the fabrics we spend most of our lives in, like our bedding and towels.

The organic movement will uproot the textile industry in three key ways:

>> COTTON WILL PLANT THE SEED
Only 1% of cotton is currently grown organically. But, as consumers lay the seeds of demand for organic products made out of the world’s most popular fiber, companies will start to ensure their entire supply chain is eco-friendly, down to planting non-GMO seeds.

>> CONSUMERS WILL END THEIR TOXIC LINEN RELATIONSHIPS
Consumers will stop idealizing artificial softness—the byproduct of toxic chemicals and finishes. Instead, they’ll get to experience linens’ natural properties of breathability and absorbency—just the way Mother Nature intended.

>> UNDER-APPRECIATED TEXTILES WILL SHINE
Cotton is not the only fabric getting a wardrobe upgrade. Leaders in other industries, like linen and wool, are developing responsibility standards to make production much more environmentally friendly—opening up the spectrum of fabrics consumers can buy organic.

Far ahead of the industry, Coyuchi is already transforming these trends into action. By minimally processing its linen and cotton sheets and towels to the strictest standards of safety and purity, Coyuchi is heralding in the future of organic far beyond the confines of food.


25% of the world's pesticide use is on conventional cotton—which makes up the majority of our clothes and bedding.

According to Coyuchi [www.coyuchi.com]—pioneers in organic, sustainable home textiles—conventional cotton is one of the "dirtiest" textiles on Earth, and we shouldn't be sleeping on it. 

There are 3 reasons why conventional cotton bedding is dangerous:
 
>> WE'RE SLEEPING ON PESTICIDES
Cotton accounts for 25% of the world's pesticide use, including 3 of the chemicals that are most hazardous to human health: aldicarb, parathion, and methamidophos. These toxic chemicals hurt the workers and farm communities where the cotton is grown and make their way into poisoning water supplies and then possibly into your bed. 

>> SWEET DREAMS OF HARMFUL DYES AND FORMALDEHYDE
Conventional cotton sheets are colored with toxic dyes that can rub off on skin. The permanent press finishes that are applied to conventional cotton sheets release formaldehyde, which has been associated with skin irritation and breathing problems. 

>> GM-NO
Conventional cotton is grown from GMO seeds, meaning they've been genetically modified from their natural state. The negative effects of changes to a crop's toxic and allergenic properties and crop yields are largely unknown. GMO seeds can also be extremely costly to farmers and not yield the return they were promised leaving them in a great deal of debt.

For more information about Coyuchi's processes, visit https://www.coyuchi.com/learn.html

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