Organic Cotton
Organic cotton, not just a change in bed linen
From blogs to the bioscience industry, the FT to the UK Soil Association, there is a growing debate on the costs and benefits of organic agriculture – versus other crop forms – and how the associated costs of going organic translate into a premium priced product on the shelves, which consumers are also questioning the benefits of.
Whilst the debate is focused on food, cotton is an agricultural crop, dependent on a global production system which has also been subject to questions and debate in terms of its transparency and impact. The organic cotton production system does have transparent benefits along the supply chain – the ideal organic cotton model is driven by the aim of providing environmental, economic and social benefits – which add cost.
The real costs along the organic cotton supply chain relate to certification, at all stages, to provide an assurance to all of ‘green’ quality and integrity without any ‘greenwash’. The cost and price premium for organic cotton products can be illustrated in a cotton T-shirt. Documented studies highlight that the cotton raw material in a T-shirt accounts for only a small proportion of the retail price at 7.9%, or an extra 15p on a £7 T-shirt if only the absolute cost is added on. A small cost for organic cotton. The greatest proportion of value goes to the end retailer and using conventional retail pricing, a multiplier effect further increases the cost of organic along the supply chain to the final price.
But what of the cost and value to the end consumer? With regard to cost, many organic textile retailers will look to absorb much of the cost of certification to ensure a competitive product, in terms of price and performance. Value relates to the quality and durability of a product, not just price. The quality of cotton, in bed linen as in T-shirts, comes down heavily on thread count, weaves and finishes and is generally reflected in the price. Fou Furnishings ® bed linen is certified 100% organic cotton, independently tested against standard performance measures for cotton, as well as traceability and the absence of toxins. Our original, organic cotton range is available in three qualities: organic essentials, percale and premium for different bedrooms and budgets. Our 475 organic Egyptian cotton range, elisabetta, is made from the finest organic cotton fibre and finishing we could source and the bed linen was described by New Consumer as ‘beautiful, durable and ooze(ing) quality’.
The benefits of certified organic cotton are much quoted: the absence of pesticides, chemical fertilisers or toxins which affect growers’ health and income, allergy sufferers and the environment; and the presence of economic and social assurances that working conditions and payments are fair. More about the benefits of organic cotton in a future blog.
Choosing organic cotton isn’t just a change in bed linen, but a change in attitude and one which is about value, not just in ethics, but also lasting value for money.
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Organic Cotton Mat & Cover Set $132.00 |
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Gaiam – Eco Conscious Yoga Straps 6′ Organic Cotton Sage 602-2307Sage $9.49 |
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Gaiam – Eco Conscious Yoga Straps 8′ Organic Cotton Natural 05-53341 $9.99 |
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Gaiam – Eco Conscious Yoga Straps 6′ Organic Cotton Natural 602-2307Natu $9.49 |
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New Gaiam Eco Conscious Organic Cotton Yoga Strap Sage $11.99 |
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Extra Cotton Cover for The Organic Cotton Yoga Mat $42.00 |
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Gaiam 8-Foot Organic Cotton Yoga Strap $20.16 |
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Organic Cotton Yoga Strap – 6′ Foot – Sage $7.98 |
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Organic Cotton Yoga Strap – 6′ Foot – Natural $7.98 |
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Organic Cotton Futon Style Yoga Mat/Mattress With Removable Cover $63.99 |
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8′ Foot Organic Cotton Yoga Strap – Natural $8.78 |
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BRAND NEW Gaiam 100% Organic Cotton 8Ft Yoga Strap $10.99 |
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Organic Cotton Thai Yoga Mat Removable Cover 36″ W x 70″ L x 2″ thick USA only $79.00 |
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Gaiam Eco Organic Cotton Yoga Strap 6′ – Sage WA33379 $6.90 |
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Norpro 367 Natural Cheese Cloth $3.88 High quality dense, weave, washable and reusable. Excellent for basting, stuffing poultry, straining stocks or broth, canning, wrapping cheese and wine making…. |
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Flip & Tumble Reusable Produce Bags, Set of 5 Flip & Tumble’s reusable produce bags are draw-string polyester bags which resist staining and shrinking better than natural fiber bags. Plus, the fine mesh produce bags allow you to use them for smaller bulk items. Breathable, durable polyester; See-through mesh produce bags for easy checkout; Smart alternative to plastic produce bags; Compact & lightweight with drawstring closure; Saves time at … |
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Regency Natural Ultra Fine Cheesecloth $3.25 Regency Naturals Cheesecloth is made ultra-fine 100% natural cotton. Use for straining, steaming and blanching, basting, cleaning and polishing, crab and clam preparation, canning, and bouquet garni. Dimensions: 9 square feet…. |
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Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Metallica + Rockabye Baby 100% Organic Cotton Onesie (Pink) $35.98 Rockabye Baby CDs transform timeless rock songs into beautiful instrumental lullabies. Now you can get the perfect baby gift with this new bundle, which includes a Rockabye Baby Lullaby CD and a short-sleeved black onesie (with a pink bear). The coolest baby gift at one great price! Our onesies are made from extra-soft, sweatshop-free 100% organic cotton. The design features our spray paint bear … |
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Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Bob Marley + Rockabye Baby 100% Organic Cotton Onesie (Pink) $35.98 Rockabye Baby CDs transform timeless rock songs into beautiful instrumental lullabies. Now you can get the perfect baby gift with this new bundle, which includes a Rockabye Baby Lullaby CD and a short-sleeved black onesie (with a pink bear). The coolest baby gift at one great price! Our onesies are made from extra-soft, sweatshop-free 100% organic cotton. The design features our spray paint bear … |
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Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Bob Marley + Rockabye Baby 100% Organic Cotton Onesie (Green) $35.98 Rockabye Baby CDs transform timeless rock songs into beautiful instrumental lullabies. Now you can get the perfect baby gift with this new bundle, which includes a Rockabye Baby Lullaby CD and a short-sleeved black onesie (with a green bear). The coolest baby gift at one great price! Our onesies are made from extra-soft, sweatshop-free 100% organic cotton. The design features our spray paint bear… |
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Angela’s Garden 7407-100 Womens Hemp/Organic Cotton Garden Work Apron with 5 pockets, Sage Green $19.67 … |
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Angela’s Garden 7207-100 Womens Hemp / Organic Cotton Garden Brim Hat, Sage Green $19.89 … |
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A Greener Kitchen Organic Cotton Full Apron … |
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Meatu: Organic Cotton for Tomorrow – Academic Version w/ PPR $199.95 Cotton is the world’s most important textile fiber, but industrial production of cotton is one of the greatest environmental and social disasters. A quarter of all pesticides used worldwide rain down on the cotton fields, and the crop requires vast quantities of water. This form of cotton production has driven farmers in developing countries to despair. The fields are polluted, the pesticides are… |