The idea that organic is better than non-organic has been around since chemical fertilisers became a thing, but many people still don’t understand why. In its simplest, organic farming aims to produce crops in a sustainable and socially responsible way. Here are four key reasons we chose organic cotton, and you should choose organic wherever possible, whether you’re buying groceries, clothes or homewares.

Waterways

With non-organic farming, the synthetic pesticides and fertilisers that are used can run off into waterways and cause a whole host of problems. Fertilisers can cause algae blooms that reduce oxygen levels in the water and kill aquatic life. Pesticides can poison fish and wildlife, and even pose a risk to human health. Organic farming keeps our waterways clean and healthy for the people and wildlife that rely on them.

Soil

Healthy soil is incredibly important for supporting the growth of both native and non-native plants. Unfortunately, the farming practices typically used in agriculture are degrading the soil. But with organic practices and regenerative agriculture, this can change. By avoiding synthetic fertilisers and pesticides that can kill microorganisms, organic farming can improve the soil biodiversity necessary for efficient growth. And, while standard farms often grow the same crop in the same location every year, organic farms rotate crops to ensure the soil maintains healthy levels of different nutrients, without which it can dry out and erode. But it’s not just the plants that are affected by unhealthy soil, as it’s also a carbon sink. In fact, research has indicated that organic farming facilitates higher levels of carbon concentration in the soil (meaning there’s less in the atmosphere). 

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is vital for the survival of every organism on the planet, including humans. So the fact that standard agricultural practices reduce biodiversity is not good news. The previously mentioned systems used by organic farming, however, supports a more biodiverse ecosystem. This can benefit the farmer in return by supporting the survival of insects like bees that pollinate the crops and other animals that act as natural pest control.

People

But we shouldn’t just think about the environment. Organic farming is much safer for the people working on and living near farms than non-organic farming. This can be accounted to the lack of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers which have been found to cause cancer and compromise the nervous, endocrine and immune system when people are exposed to high levels. The farmers that apply them are most susceptible, but people who rely on waterways that may have been polluted by these chemicals can also be at risk.

Is that brand actually organic?

When we see the term ‘organic’ on a label it can be hard to know exactly what that means. Laws are different in every country, and the brands themselves are incentivised to lie due the higher price tag that often comes with organic labelling. So how do you know if something really is organic? Easily the most reliable method is to look out for certified products, as this means they’ve been audited by a third-party organisation that vouches for their organic practices. In fashion, the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is a great, independent certifier that ensures brands are ecologically and socially responsible. Due to the costs of getting certified, however, there are brands that are genuinely organic without the certification to back it up. In these situations, look on their website for company values and detailed production processes that explain how they’re organic. Keep in mind that clever marketing can make a brand seem better than it actually is, so common sense will be necessary.

At Loop Home, our GOTS certification (CU1133274) will ensure you can sleep easy knowing the sheets you’re in are responsibly made with organic cotton. To learn more about our values, check out our journal, or head to our online store!