A typical conventional cotton t-shirt uses about 150g of acutely toxic pesticides and insecticides in its production. A Saf garment uses none. That means no chemicals to damage the environment or people, and none for you to absorb when you wear our clothing.
The cotton used to make Saf clothing is certified by GOTs (global organic textile standards, meaning it has been grown in chemical free soil. Read on to find out more about the organic standards behind Saf.
Our organic clothing is better for everyone; the cotton farmers, the factory workers, you and the environment. What more could you ask of a t-shirt?
Organic cotton. Better for the environment.
Up to 25% of global insecticide use is used in the production of conventional cotton. This insecticide use is responsible for massive chemical pollution of soil and water and the related environmental damage and health risks for people and wildlife.
Organic cotton farming uses no chemical insecticides or pesticides. Your decision to buy organic clothing is powerful. The more conventional clothing businesses see people buying organic clothing, the more they will be encouraged to switch to organic cotton production, helping drastically reduce the amount of chemicals contaminating the environment and harming people and wildlife.
With good techniques, organic farming gives farmers a better quality of soil and crop. Our organic cotton farmers in India see the positive environmental impact of organic farming first hand. As, Ratanbhai puts it;
"My land was dead, now it's alive. The land is better because the beneficial insects have returned. Earthworms have returned naturally so we no longer need to supply them to aerate the soil. The soil holds more water now. This means there is less risk to our crops since we are not as dependent on the rains."
Choosing organic cotton clothing is easy and the environmental benefit is huge.
You can continue to minimise the environmental impact and carbon footprint of your Saf organic garment after you’ve bought it. Go to Wear it Love it Live it to find out more.
Organic cotton. Better for you.
As organic cotton is grown without harmful insecticides and pesticides, there are no chemicals in the finished Saf organic clothing to be absorbed into your skin.
This means organic clothing is great for everyone, especially those with sensitive skin and babies. Saf clothing is designed and made to be soft and comfortable on your skin.
Organic cotton clothing also gives you better value for money. While many conventional cotton garments begin to break down after only 10 to 20 washes, organic clothing can last 100 washes or more before it begins to break down.
The environmental benefits of organic cotton reach everyone. Pesticides used in conventional cotton farming are not as regulated as pesticides in food production as the final product is not ingested. Pesticide run off from cotton farming contaminates fresh water systems and agricultural areas used for food production, some of which may end up here in the UK.
Organic cotton. Better for cotton producers and factory workers.
Saf clothing is about improving the lives of everyone involved in its production, from the organic cotton farmers, to the fabric cutters and sewers, through to the pressers and packers. You can meet some of these people in the videos of our factory.
The farmers we work with aren't exposed to toxic chemicals, which kill an estimated 20,000 agricultural workers per year. Our farmers also don't suffer the health problems, such as respiratory problems and skin conditions, associated with the pesticides used in conventional cotton farming. As well, as not exposing farmers to harmful chemicals, Saf ensures decent working conditions and fair wages for everyone involved in the production of our clothing, with no child labour. We're also working in partnership with the communities where Saf clothing is produced to overcome the challenges they face and tackle harmful forms of child labour in the clothing industry. To find out more go to 'Saf ethics: What else we're doing'.
Find out more.
Pesticide Action Network’s Wear Organic Cotton website:
www.pan-uk.org/Projects/Cotton
The Soil Association’s ‘Why Organic?’ website:
www.whyorganic.org