Design Delight Studio

Subject: You asked, we answered: How processing cotton impacts our climate 🌿

You care about sustainable choices. Cotton is everywhere. Its processing affects our climate. Experts show key data on water, carbon, chemicals, and recycling. They link facts with simple actions.

🔍 Water Use: Cotton Processing’s Thirsty Footprint

Cotton grows with much water. Processing adds more. Scouring, bleaching, and dyeing need water.
• Fact: Around 73% of cotton uses irrigation. This stresses water in many regions (Copernicus Climate Change Service).
• Fact: Processing needs 70–150 liters per kilogram of cotton yarn (Textile Exchange & FAO).

Tips to reduce water use:
• Use waterless or reduced-water processes like air-dyeing.
• Pick organic cotton that needs less irrigation.
• Support closed-loop water systems in mills.
• Choose pre-consumer recycled cotton fibers.
• Ask brands for water footprint details in supply chains.

🔹 Highlight:
"Increasing temperatures force more water use during flowering and boll development. This change risks global cotton productivity." — Copernicus Climate Change Service source

🔍 Carbon Emissions: Heating Up Our Planet

Cotton processing uses much energy. Ginning, spinning, dyeing, and finishing create emissions.
• Data: Processing emits up to 8 kg CO2e per kg of cotton fabric (Environmental Textile Research, 2023).
• Energy often comes from fossil fuels. Heat treatments use coal or natural gas.

Expert advice:
• Promote the use of renewable energy in textile plants.
• Support energy-efficient upgrades for machinery.
• Back carbon offset programs for cotton production.
• Choose mills certified for low carbon emissions (e.g., Bluesign, OEKO-TEX).
• Buy local to cut transport emissions.

🔹 Highlight:
"Long heat treatments raise carbon footprints and strain supply chains." — Dr. Khan Muhammad Aamir, Journal of Cotton Research source

🔍 Chemical Inputs: Impact on Soil and Water Quality

Cotton processing uses many chemicals. Detergents, bleaches, dyes, and agents connect directly to soil and water issues.
• Fact: Over 2000 synthetic chemicals are used (Textile Exchange).
• Wastewater treatment is often poor. This harms surface and groundwater.
• Salinity and soil loss grow near processing mills.

What you can do:
• Use textiles with a GOTS label: they limit chemical use.
• Support natural dye and finish processes.
• Ask for strict rules on mill effluents.
• Request brands share chemical management practices.
• Wash clothes less and use cold water detergents.

🔹 Highlight:
"High soil salinity due to climate change limits cotton growth and harms processing." — Roy et al., 2014 source

🔍 Recycling: Closing the Loop for Cotton Textiles

Recycling cotton saves energy and water.
• Fact: Recycling cuts water use by up to 90% and lowers carbon emissions by 46% (Textile Exchange, 2023).
• New genomic methods help breed cotton for recycling while keeping fiber quality.

Ways to boost recycling impact:
• Donate or recycle used cotton clothes in take-back programs.
• Support brands that use recycled cotton blends.
• Learn about fiber types to improve recycling.
• Back research on robust cotton that endures many cycles.
• Favor circular models that recycle from design to sale.

🔹 Highlight:
"New genomic tools help develop cotton that resists climate and processing stress. This progress aids sustainable recycling." — Zhang Rui et al., 2025 source

❓ FAQ

Q: Does cotton processing add more to climate change than cotton farming?
A: Each phase matters. Farming uses water and land. Processing uses energy and emits carbon. Together, both add to the footprint. We need sustainable choices for both.

For more details and answers to your questions about cotton and our climate, please visit our full guide:
Environmental Impact of Cotton: Your Questions Answered

Thank you for caring about the climate cost of what we wear. Your informed choices today shape our planet tomorrow!

Warm regards,
Your Sustainable Textile Experts
DesignDelightStudio

Sources:
Copernicus Climate Change Service – link
Journal of Cotton Research (2025) – link
Textile Exchange 2023 Reports
Roy et al., 2014 Soil Salinity Study

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