Cotton - Organic, recycled or regular?
Why have we chosen to use organic cotton? And what exactly is the difference between regular, organic and recycled cotton? At Tufte, we are concerned with developing clothes that suit...
Why have we chosen to use organic cotton? And what exactly is the difference between regular, organic and recycled cotton?
At Tufte, we are concerned with developing clothes that suit the whole family. We take part in all outdoor activities, whether it's a short trip, a forest trip or a mountain trip. Our entire Outdoor collection is made from 97% organic cotton, and consists of anoraks, jackets and trousers, and is especially made for adventures in the woods and fields.
THE PROBLEM WITH COTTON
The problem with cotton is often the way it is produced. Conventional cotton production uses more pesticides than any other crop, it requires a lot of water and the cultivation of cotton leads in far too many cases to local environmental problems and reduced biodiversity.
Our solution is to use organically grown cotton or recycled cotton. Organic cotton is grown without the use of artificial fertilizers or pesticides. This means that production promotes and improves biodiversity and biological cycles. It improves the soil and essentially uses less water. It is a time-consuming job that requires a lot of knowledge, and as of now it costs more - but it is absolutely worth it.
RECYCLED COTTON
Recycled cotton is an even better option. It is made from either used clothing or surplus from textile production, which is then shredded and spun into new yarn and material. This helps to reduce the use of regular cotton and reduces the use of water, landfill space and other consequences of cotton cultivation. All old cotton jumpers, socks and t-shirts can therefore be turned into new garments without affecting the environment too much.
DEGRADABLE CLOTHING
We at Tufte have made a 100% degradable t-shirt, made from organic and recycled cotton. Here, all threads are made of Tencel, and tags and labels are made from 100% organic cotton. All this means that the t-shirt breaks down naturally, and after about 4 months in compost at an optimal temperature, the garment becomes soil. It doesn't get much more environmentally friendly, and we can happily announce that we are redesigning several of our current t-shirts for next year, so that they can become part of the natural cycle.
