The History Of Cotton And It’s Impact On The Environment
How is cotton formed?
Cotton is a natural fibre that comes from the cotton plant’s seed pods (Gossypium).
It is composed primarily of cellulose, a complex carbohydrate found in the cell walls of plants.
Why is cotton so popular?
Cotton is widely used in textile production worldwide due to its softness, breathability, and absorbency. It makes sense that the history of cotton spans thousands of years, being deeply intertwined with the development of human civilisation. Cotton is believed to have been domesticated around 6000 BCE in the region of present-day Mexico and Peru. Early civilisations in these areas used cotton to make textiles for clothing and other purposes.
What is cottons impact on the environment?
Cotton is one of the worst fabrics for the planet. Conventionally grown cotton requires too much land, energy and water. It also involves harmful chemicals: pesticides herbicides, and fertilisers during the farming process and contributes to soil erosion and loss of biodiversity.
Alternative cotton fabrics
According to GoodOnYou, organic cotton can be a lower-impact alternative to conventional cotton, and has been booming in recent years. In theory, it aims to minimise the environmental impact of cotton production by trying to remove harmful pesticides and other chemicals from the production process. GOTS certified cotton is often the go-to recommendation for consciously grown cotton that is gentler on the planet and the people who create it. However, organic cotton certification recently came under fire when it was discovered much of the fibre marketed as organic may not be so: according to a report by The New York Times, “at the heart of the problem is an opaque certification system rife with opportunities for fraud.”
If you’re looking for the most responsible cotton, go for recycled. Recycled or upcycled cotton is made using post-industrial and post-consumer cotton waste. According to the Textile Exchange’s Preferred Fiber and Materials Market Report 2022, recycled cotton is a lower-impact alternative to both conventional and organic cotton. It has the potential to help reduce water and energy consumption, as well as help keep cotton clothes out of landfills.
Alternatively, TENCEL Lyocell is a man-made cellulosic fibre (MMCF) created by dissolving wood pulp. The fibre is produced by Austrian company Lenzing AG. It’s been growing in popularity recently, and is said to be 50% more absorbent than cotton, and requires less energy and water to produce. Plus, the chemicals used to produce the fibre are managed in a closed-loop system. This means the solvent is recycled which reduces dangerous waste.
Dead stock tencel lyocell fabric
Dead stock organic cotton
Shop dead stock
Shopping dead stock fabric is considered a great alternative to buying new fabrics because it helps reduce environmental impact in several ways:
- Waste Reduction: Deadstock refers to excess fabric left over from production or unused fabric from canceled orders. By purchasing deadstock fabric, you’re essentially giving new life to material that might otherwise end up in landfills, reducing waste in the fashion industry.
- Resource Conservation: Buying deadstock fabric means you’re not contributing to the demand for new fabric production, which requires the extraction of raw materials like cotton or petroleum for synthetics.
- Lower Carbon Footprint: The production of new fabrics often involves significant carbon emissions from manufacturing processes, transportation, and other associated activities. By using deadstock fabric, you’re reducing the carbon footprint associated with the production of new materials.
- Supporting Sustainable Practices: Choosing deadstock fabrics supports sustainable practices by encouraging the reuse of existing materials rather than promoting the continuous production of new ones.
- Unique and Limited Edition: Deadstock fabrics are often available in limited quantities and unique designs, which can add an element of exclusivity and uniqueness to your creations.
Dead stock cotton silk poplin blend
Dead stock floral printed stretch cotton
Dead stock snakeskin print stretch cotton
For further details on how different materials affect the environment, read our Fabric Impact Glossary which you can find here.
https://lastyarn.com/fabric-impact-glossary/