Design Delight Studio

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You asked—I answer.
You care about how cotton affects our Earth and our people. The United Nations set Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) to help. Experts from leading groups show how cotton can meet these aims. Their tips can also guide your choices.

🔍 Water Use
Cotton drinks much water. But new methods save water.
• BCI farmers use smart irrigation. They reduce waste. Their work helps meet SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
• CottonConnect found an 18.6% drop in water use among trained farmers in India, Pakistan, China, and Peru.
• Recover™ recycled cotton fiber can save 2,116 liters per kg compared to normal cotton (EcoReview LCA, 2022 verified).

Expert Tips
• Support brands that use BCI or Organic certified cotton.
• Choose recycled cotton products. They lower water use.
• Ask companies to use water-smart farming.

🚩 Highlight
“Each kg of Recover™ recycled cotton fiber saves 2,116 liters of water vs. conventional cotton.”
— Recover™ LCA data (EcoReview, 2022)

🔍 Carbon Emissions
Cotton farming and fiber work add carbon. Groups work to cut this.
• Recover™ uses Ecochain LCA software. They save 1.73 kg CO2-e per kg of recycled cotton fiber.
• CottonConnect backs SDG 13. They use natural methods. They cut chemical fertilizer by 24.1% and pesticide use by 44.3%.
• Better Cotton works to improve soil and lower chemicals. This cuts emissions and builds climate strength.

Expert Tips
• Choose brands with partners like Recover™ that show real emissions data.
• Push for pest control that uses less chemical.
• Call for clear supply chains that report carbon footprints.

🚩 Highlight
“BCI-trained farmers in Pakistan used 20% less pesticide. This helps both climate and health.”
— Better Cotton Annual Impact, 2016-17

🔍 Chemical Inputs
Pesticides and fertilizers can harm health and nature. Steps now lower these risks.
• Better Cotton Principles say “no to very dangerous pesticides.” Farmers must wear safety gear. This supports SDG 3 (Health and Well-being).
• CottonConnect cuts pesticide use by 44.3%. This helps farmers, nature, and clean water.
• Recover™ uses recycled fiber. This supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption) by using less new cotton and fewer chemicals.

Expert Tips
• Look for BCI, GRS, or Organic Cotton labels that follow safety rules.
• Support training in safe chemical care and natural pest control.
• Choose recycled fiber to lower chemical use and virgin cotton demand.

🚩 Highlight
“BCI farmers in many countries used fewer pesticides. Their work improves health.”
— Better Cotton Principle 1

🔍 Recycling and Circularity
Recycling cotton waste turns burden into benefit.
• Recover™ leads in recycled cotton. Their work saves water and carbon. They use certifications like GRS and the Higg Index.
• Recover™ and Global Fashion Agenda join to share new tech and trace recycled fibers.
• The Circular Fashion Partnership pushes for SDG 12. It helps shift production to be more sustainable.

Expert Tips
• Pick clothes with recycled cotton. Look for GRS or OCS marks.
• Support firms that recycle near textile waste centers. This way, they cut carbon use.
• Demand the Higg Materials Sustainability Index for clear, proven impact.

🚩 Highlight
“Recover™ is boosting recycled fiber production to meet high demand. They cut water and carbon use and help circular fashion.”
— UN DESA / Recover™ Sustainability Report

❓ FAQ: How does backing Better Cotton or recycled cotton help the UN SDGs?

Choosing these options improves many goals. They lift farmer lives (SDG 1, 2). They cut water use, waste, and emissions (SDG 6, 12, 13). They support health (SDG 3) and women (SDG 5). They build strong, green supply chains around the world.

👉 Ready to choose a better future for cotton?
Learn more and get all the answers here:
https://designdelightstudio.myshopify.com/pages/environmental-impact-of-cotton-your-questions-answered

Sources
• Better Cotton Initiative: https://bettercotton.org/about-bci/bci-and-the-sdgs/
• CottonConnect 2016/17 Impact Assessment: https://cottonconnect.org/stories/impact-sdgs/
• Recover™ LCA Report (EcoReview 2022): https://sdgaction.un.org/Recover

Together we unlock cotton’s sustainable future! 🌱

Design Delight Studio is your trusted partner in sustainable textiles, committed to transparency and eco-innovation. Learn more at designdelightstudio.myshopify.com