Terra Thread's Organic Cotton Backpack is making a difference
We know you have tons of choices when it comes to purchasing backpacks, but did you know that lots of backpacks in the market are made of synthetic materials? These synthetic materials are harmful to the environment, wildlife, and people! To help you make a conscious purchase, we have broken down the difference between organic cotton and synthetic fibers.
Table of Contents
MADE FROM
Organic Cotton: High quality hand-picked cotton that is certified to organic agricultural standards, which prohibits the use of toxic chemicals or GMOs
Synthetics: Manufactured from crude oil by reacting carbon-based chemicals under high pressure and temperature
BIODEGRADABILITY
Organic Cotton: Takes about 6 months
Synthetics: Takes hundreds of years
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
Organic Cotton: Manufacturing process releases 78% less carbon emissions compared to polyester and 91% less compared to nylon
Synthetics: Manufacturing process releases a large amount of direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, and sulphur oxides
ENERGY COST
Organic Cotton: Requires about 1/6 less energy than polyester production
Synthetics: Polyester requires about 600-650% more energy than organic cotton production; Nylon requires even more energy than polyester production by nearly 25%
WATER IMPACT
Organic Cotton: Is 80% rain-fed, reducing pressure on local water sources
Synthetics: Uses large amounts of water for cooling process
ECOSYSTEM IMPACT
Organic Cotton: Restores and sustains health of soils and natural ecosystems
Synthetics: Pollutes the environment and damages ecosystems by emitting harmful and persistent chemicals and microplastics; Water supplied used for drinking water are contaminated with microplastics
EFFECT ON PEOPLE
Organic Cotton: Prioritizes health and wellbeing of farmers, their families and their communities by limiting exposure to toxic chemicals and providing a local source of income
Synthetics: Manufacturing synthetics exposes workers to many carcinogens; Pollution from petrochemicals disproportionately harms indigenous communities and communities of color
Sources
About Organic Cotton. http://aboutorganiccotton.org/
Dartmouth College. http://www.dartmouth.edu/~cushman/courses/engs171/UsefulNumbers.pdf
The Ecologist. https://theecologist.org/2009/feb/06/whats-most-sustainable-fabric
Green America. https://www.greenamerica.org/unraveling-fashion-industry/unpacking-toxic-textiles
Green Choices. https://www.greenchoices.org/green-living/clothes/environmental-impacts
Stockholm Environment Institute. https://mediamanager.sei.org/documents/Publications/SEI-Report-EcologicalFootprintAndWaterAnalysisOfCottonHempAndPolyester-2005.pdf
Textile Exchange. https://textileexchange.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/TE-Material-Snapshot_Organic-Cotton.pdf
