Cotton is one of the most popular, and highly acclaimed natural fibres in the world! Right from dresses, tops, skirts, shirts, trousers, to bedsheets and other household items, this breathable fabric has established its dominance, which demonstrates its versatility, and importance in our everyday lives!
Cotton mainly comes in two types, conventional and organic. While both originate from the same crop, there lies some substantial differences that separate these two categories. And before you start looking for organic cotton shirts for men, it’s necessary to understand the differences so that you can make an informed decision.
So, let’s explore this article till the end, and plunge into the details to know what’s the right choice to make!
Understanding the Differences: Conventional Vs Organic Cotton
The distinction between the two categories of cotton stems from three major factors-
- The method of cultivation
- The amount of water required in the process
- The processing techniques
But the devil’s in the details! So, let’s break down these factors to see what truly differentiates conventional cotton from their organic counterparts.
1. The Method of Cultivation
There are two main ways how cotton is cultivated – dryland, and irrigation.
Dryland cultivation is a method that relies on precipitation, while the irrigation method relies on groundwater sources. Intensive irrigation practices require lots and lots of water, which over time wears off the mineral deposits present in the soil, thereby necessitating the use of fertilizers to restore the natural mineral balance of the soil.
Conventional cotton is a product of the irrigational method. It involves the usage of synthetic pesticides, and machine-picking methods, which raises questions on its sustainability.
On the other hand, organic cotton is a product of dryland cultivation method. It relies solely on natural precipitation, and involves using biocontrol methods (usage of bugs to prevent pest infestation on the crops) rather than synthetic pesticides, and handpicking methods, which makes it an eco-friendly option.
2. The Amount of Water Required in the Process
Conventional cotton has earned the badge of being a ‘thirsty crop’ just because of the massive amount of water that is required during the production process. In fact, according to stats published by the Water Footprint Calculator, it takes nearly about 1,320 gallons of water to produce one pound of cotton. This means it takes approximately 659 gallons of water to produce just one cotton t-shirt!
On the contrary, organic cotton requires much less water in the production process. And that’s mainly because it draws the majority of water from natural precipitation. This means organic cotton contributes towards water preservation. So, if you want to make a conscious decision, organic cotton shirts in India are practically better options to invest your hard-earned money!
3. The Processing Techniques
Conventional cotton, as mentioned earlier, requires synthetic chemicals and pesticides for processing. These include heavy metals, chlorine, and an array of chemical dyes, which might still have residues left after washing. This might be the cause behind skin allergies, and other serious health concerns to the farmers, and labourers involved in the production, and post-production processes.
Organic cotton also requires dyes, and chemicals. However, they aren’t so harmful to the environment or to the health of the workers involved in the process. And that’s mainly because organic cotton farming requires natural dyes or water-based dyes for processing. These have minimal detrimental effects on the environment, for which the demand for organic cotton has grown manifold in recent times.
So, What’s The Right Choice?
Well to be honest, that’s a subjective question! Because at the end of the day, it depends on how much you are concerned about the bigger issues behind all of this- environmental degradation, and worker exploitation.
Since India is the world’s second-largest cotton producer, sustainability has indeed become a priority, and the majority of consumers are switching to eco-friendly clothing brands in India, reflecting a positive change in the overall purchase habits!
That brings us to the question, how can you identify and differentiate organic cotton products from their conventional counterparts?
Well, when you are looking for the latest casual shirts for men, check for the GOTS tag on the product. The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is a certification that guarantees that the apparel is produced with strict adherence to environmental, and social manufacturing standards across the entire production and supply chain. Owing to the rising concerns about environmental pollution, sticking to organic cotton would be a conscious decision from your end! But for that to happen, you need to understand the differences so that your decision aligns with your commitment to an eco-conscious lifestyle. Also, limiting your choices to sustainable fashion brands in India can automatically help you become a buyer with a conscience!
