GOTS Global Organic Textile Standard

GOTS Global Organic Textile Standard

Sometimes we see clothes carrying a label with words “GOTS Global Organic Textile Standard”. In this article we will see:

• what it is
• why it is important to us, and
• why should we pay attention to clean fabrics and food.

Conventional cotton and its consequences

Regular, non-organic cotton is highly toxic. We rarely remember about it when buying our favourite cotton t-shirts or trousers. In a recent and popular “Hormones, health and harmony” series, a doctor from the USA discussed conventional cotton. She talked about its impact on human hormones and health. The consequences go far beyond that. The toxic substances needed for cotton production impact ecosystem for generations. Pesticides and insecticides used harm soil, water, human health, ecosystem.

Conventional cotton facts and figures

Cotton farming requires the use of 24% world’s insecticides and 11% pesticides. Moreover, it needs phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers (4% of the total amount used worldwide). Just in the USA alone, in 2017 growers used 48 million pounds of pesticides.

Among the most popular pesticides are those considered human carcinogens. Those are: glyphosate, diuron and tribufos. The first substance mentioned causes genetic damage and congenial disabilities.

Another consequence of the toxic production is industrial water pollution. The loved white cotton t-shirts, colored blouses and trousers require dyeing, bleaching. Run-off water from production is contaminated with pesticides, chlorine, toxic dyes, and other chemicals. Water from cotton production run into water systems like rivers, underground aquifers. As a consequence, the toxic substances can be found in water all around the world.

Organic cotton fabric and GOTS Global Organic Textile Standard

The only solution to this problem is organic cotton. It is healthy for wildlife and human health. Let’s consider it the fabric of the future. How to differentiate organic cotton fabric from the conventional one? We can relay on the companies we buy the fabrics from.  Also we can trust the globally respected certificates like GOTS Global Organic Textile Standard.

Read our article about 3 reasons for choosing organic cotton fabric vs regular one.

GOTS Global Organic Textile Standard

Global Organic Textile Standard is a certificate recognized worldwide.

What is GOTS certificaton?

GOTS certification (Global Organic Textile Standard certification) is a global textile processing standard that ensures:

“the certified organic status of textiles, from the harvesting of the raw fibre, through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing up to labelling in order to provide credible assurance to the end consumer. Textile processors and manufacturers are thus enabled to export their organic fabrics and garments with one certification accepted in all major markets.” (from global-standard.org)

In simple words, the certificate recognizes the fabrics that do not include bleaches, non-organic dyes or chemicals like for example pesticides, insecticides during the productsion process.

GOTS Global Organic Textile Standard certificate and the future

We want our kids and ecosystem to have at least as great lives as we have. To be able to enjoy great food, clean air, water and space. Sounds easy. But in practise, it requires changes to be made in our current world. The factories, pollution levels, destruction of the environment, poor quality of lives many people experience. Moreover, many of us do not fully know what is going on with our world. This knowledge may be scary, but it also gives a foundation for the necessary changes.

I strongly believe, that human boundless potential, genius and creativity, can solve the challenges of our world. Our kids need our creativity and care. That is why, on 25th of September 2015, United Nations adopted a set of goals to first understand what we need to focus on and second, to do what is necessary. It is much easier to bring a different reality, when we have goals and steps to take. One small step at a time, to protect our mutual home = our planet.

17 goals United Nations created to help us build an amazing future

1. 1. No poverty
   2. Zero hunger
   3. Good health and well-being
   4. Quality education
   5. Gender equality
   6. Clean water and sanitation
   7. Affordable and clean energy
   8. Decent work and economic growth
   9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure
   10. Reduced inequalities
   11. sustanable cities and communities
   12. Responsible consumption and production
   13. Climate action
   14. Life below water
   15. Life on land
   16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
   17. Partnerships

All of these goals are connected to textile processing. If we have more organic cotton fields, we have less pollution, more clean jobs, less destruction of ecosystem. Moreover, organic cotton fabric creates healthy clothes and textiles, that take care of our health for years to come.

Our resource to write the article include:

trvst

GOTS

United Nations