Organic - Organic Farming starts with healthy soil. The soil is seen as a living system and not simply a growing medium for plants. Compost, efficient nutrient recycling, frequent crop rotations and cover crops replace synthetic fertilizers to keep the soil healthy and productive.
Conventional - Farmers in the United States apply nearly one-third of a pound of chemical fertilizers and pesticides for every pound of cotton harvested. Some of these chemicals are among the most toxic classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Conventional - Aerial spraying of insecticides and pesticides. Nine of the most commonly used pesticides are known cancer-causing agents.
Harvesting
Organic- Natural defoliation from freezing temperatures or through the use of water management.
Conventional - herbicides are used to defoliate cotton plants to make picking easier.
Production
Organic- Warp fibers stabilized using double plying or non-toxic cornstarch.
Conventional- Warp fibers stabilized using toxic waxes.
Whitening
Organic - Safe peroxide is used.
Conventional - Chlorine bleaching creates toxic by-products which are released into the environment.
Dyeing & Printing
Organic - Low-impact fiber-reactive or natural dyes, water-based inks and/or pigments with no heavy metals.
Conventional- High temperature with heavy metals and sulfur content. Pigments may be petroleum based and contain heavy metals. Run off spills into waterways, polluting streams.
Price
Organic - Initial cost is more expensive. Long term advantages are priceless.
Conventional - Initially cheaper. Long- term impact on environment is devastating.
