Cotton – it’s one of the most sought-after natural fabrics, that offer excellent comfort, and breathability. In fact, the demand for cotton clothing has increased significantly, owing to the rising awareness of ethical fashion practices. However, did you know that cotton isn’t sustainable in nature? Well, a lot of you might think this to be impossible, but it’s true! While it is a biodegradable material in itself, the production of conventional Certified cotton requires massive amount of energy and natural resources, which results in a substantial impact on the environment.
So, if you’ve decided to buy cotton dresses online, it’s better to look for a GOTS certification if you want to make a conscious choice! That’s because the GOTS certification ensures responsible production practices, which ultimately makes these specialized fibres more sustainable. How? Let’s explore the blog till the end to find out!
GOTS-Certification and Sustainability: How Do They Correlate?
Before going any further, let’s take a quick look at what GOTS certification stands for.
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is a certification that ensures the usage of environment friendly methods to produce textiles right from raw materials to the final processing stage.
So, why is GOTS-certified cotton considered sustainable? Well, here are some of the factors that help support its reputation-
It helps in preserving biodiversity
Conventional cotton cultivation requires heavy usage of pesticides and chemicals, which ultimately leads to soil, water, and air pollution. However, GOTS certification has strict norms against the usage of such harmful chemicals. Hence, GOTS-certified cotton does not require the usage of synthetic pesticides, or GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms). This eventually reduces pollution level and helps preserve biodiversity.
It helps reduce water usage during production
Conventional cotton is renowned as a ‘thirsty crop.’ That’s because the production process requires a substantial amount of water. However, GOTS-certified cotton requires much less water during the production process. So, if you see the mark imprinted on an outfit, understand that the particular outfit is an eco-friendly dress, and you have contributed successfully towards water conservation efforts.
It doesn’t require toxic chemicals
Synthetic and toxic chemicals like pesticides and insecticides are very much normal when it comes to conventional cotton production. However, that leads to significant adverse effects on the environment, as well as the health of the farmers involved in the farming process.
On the contrary, GOTS-certified cotton doesn’t require the usage of such harmful synthetic chemicals during production. This means you’re not just consciously deciding to protect the environment, but also contributing towards the safety of the farmers, labourers, and end users.
You get to have a premium quality fabric
If you’re searching for cotton dresses for women online, it’s highly recommended for you to choose the attires that have the GOTS tag on them. Why so?
That’s because GOTS-certified cotton is considered to be of premium quality. They are soft, lightweight, and comfortable, and are well-known for their excellent endurance! So, you can wear such a piece of clothing for years to come, without feeling the need to dispose it altogether.
It ensures fair labour practices
And finally, one of the most valid reasons why GOTS-certified cotton is considered to be sustainable, is because it ensures fair labour practices. How is that so?
Well, GOTS standards mandate safe working conditions for everyone involved in the entire production and supply chain. This includes avoiding harmful chemical usage, which takes a heavy toll on the health and safety of the farmers, and labourers.
Not just that, but the certification also mandates fair wages, and reasonable working hours, which helps prevent worker exploitation. Added to that, it also strictly forbids child labour, and helps promote workers’ rights through freedom of association, and collective bargaining. This goes on to create a more ethical, and dignified work environment.
So, when you’re investing in a GOTS-certified cotton dress from sustainable fashion brands in India like Studioritushar By Suchi, you’re actually contributing to a system that cares about both- the environment, as well as the people!
Wrapping It Up
Our society has become much more conscious than before, and the increasing popularity of eco-friendly clothing brands in India is a major reflection that we are prioritizing sustainability over anything else.
And that’s the reason why more and more brands are focusing towards using GOTS-certified cotton to align with the values of the eco-conscious consumer base. The strict standards set by this certification ensure that natural fibres like cotton are produced in a way that helps conserve the environment, and also the people involved in the process.
