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You asked, we answered: What is cotton’s true environmental impact?

You care about your wardrobe. You choose sustainability. Cotton bears a complex impact on our world. We share expert facts. We offer simple tips. We help you act today.

🔍 Water Use in Cotton Production

Cotton farming needs water. Irrigation drives this need. Energy pumps water. Energy moves water. Together, they add to emissions.

• Key Facts:
• A Better Cotton Initiative study shows pumping and moving water add about 17% to cotton farming’s GHG emissions.
• Rainfall helps. Regions with natural rain need less water.
• Organic cotton often uses better water practices. Yet, measures vary by region.

• Expert Tips:
• Choose Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) or organic cotton.
• Pick brands that show water use data.
• Ask for rain-fed cotton to lower irrigation use.
• Use garments longer. Longer use cuts water impact.

🚩 Water use stands as the second-biggest emission source in cotton farming.
Source: Carbonfact, 2024 Better Cotton Initiative study

🔍 Carbon Emissions from Cotton

Farming methods drive carbon use. The region and practices add to the carbon story.

• Key Facts:
• Conventional cotton creates 1.15 to 7.48 kg CO₂e per kg of fiber. The US, China, and Brazil lead due to synthetic fertilizers and irrigation.
• Organic cotton shows lower carbon totals (often 1.15 to 3.18 kg CO₂e per kg) in places like Kyrgyzstan and Turkey.
• Fertilizer production adds 47%, fertilizer use adds 12%, and ginning uses 11% of emissions.

• Expert Tips:
• Support cotton grown with natural fertilizers.
• Choose brands that practice regenerative agriculture.
• Favor companies with energy-efficient ginning and renewable energy.
• Buy less, choose quality, recycle well to cut emissions.

🚩 Nearly 60% of cotton’s carbon impact comes from fertilizer-related tasks.
Source: Laurent Vandepaer, Carbonfact; Textile Exchange Materials Market Report 2024

🔍 Chemical Inputs in Cotton Farming

Chemical use affects more than carbon. Chemicals harm soil and water.

• Key Facts:
• Conventional cotton uses many pesticides. Pesticides pollute soil and water.
• Organic cotton avoids synthetic chemicals and uses natural aids.
• The Better Cotton Initiative pushes to lower chemical use even though data can be hard to see.

• Expert Tips:
• Pick certified organic cotton.
• Support brands that share how they use chemicals.
• Push for wider adoption of Better Cotton principles.
• Ask for full traceability in chemical use.

🚩 Pesticides in cotton farming damage our ecosystems and health.
Source: Better Cotton Initiative, 2021 study; Textile Exchange

🔍 Recycling and End-of-Life Impact

What you do with cotton after wearing it shapes its full impact.

• Key Facts:
• Cotton stores carbon from the air. This offers a natural cooling effect.
• Life Cycle Assessment shows cotton clothes can lower climate impact by 22% over ten years.
• Doubling a garment’s wear can drop climate impact by 28%.
• Recycling cotton, whether into insulation or compost, can reduce emissions by 94% or 69%.
• Programs like Cotton’s Blue Jeans Go Green™ use old denim to make insulation and hold carbon longer.

• Expert Tips:
• Buy high-quality cotton meant to last.
• Donate or recycle cotton garments.
• Prefer brands that support the circular economy.
• Compost old cotton to avoid landfill harm.
• Learn about Life Cycle Assessment. Use that knowledge to boost sustainable choices.

🚩 When cotton garments get reused or recycled, they extend cotton’s hidden carbon storage power.
Source: Steven Pires, Associate Director, Sustainability, Cotton Incorporated, 2024

❓ FAQ

Q: Does organic cotton always have a lower carbon footprint than conventional cotton?

A: Yes, in most cases. Organic cotton skips synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. This lowers emissions. Regional practices may alter results. Some cases, like in India, show higher impacts. Research continues. Still, certified organic cotton from clear sources is safest for sustainability.

👉 Ready to learn more and choose cotton responsibly?

Find more insights and practical guidance in our full analysis here:
Environmental Impact of Cotton: Your Questions Answered

Sources & Further Reading:
• Vandepaer, L. (2024). The Carbon Footprint of Cotton, Carbonfact Blog.
• Better Cotton Initiative (2021). Releases Study on GHG Emissions.
• Cotton Incorporated (2024). The Untapped Climate Benefit of Cotton.
• Textile Exchange Materials Market Report 2024.
• Pires, S. (2024). Associate Director, Sustainability, Cotton Incorporated.

Stay informed. Shop responsibly. Protect our planet—one cotton thread at a time!

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