Why Harmony Art Organic Cotton?*
Organic
Conventional
Seed Preparation:
Natural untreated GMO free seeds.
Typically treated with fungicides or insecticides.
Possible GMOs.
Soil Preparation:
Healthy soil through crop rotation. Retains
moisture in soil from increased organic matter.
Synthetic fertilizers, loss of soil due to monocrop
culture, intensive irrigation.
Weed control:
Healthy soil creates natural balance.
Beneficial insects and trap crops used.
Aerial spraying of insecticides and pesticides.
Nine of the most commonly used pesticides are
known cancer-causing agents.
Harvesting:
Natural defoliation from freezing temperatures
or through the use of water management.
Defoliation induced with toxic chemicals.
Production:
Warp fibers stabilized using double plying or
non-toxic cornstarch.
Warp fibers stabilized using toxic waxes.
Whitening:
Safe peroxide is used.
Chlorine bleaching creates toxic by-products
which are released into the environment.
Finishing:
Soft Scour in warm water with soda ash for a
PH of 7.5-8.
Hot water, synthetic surfactants, additional
chemicals (sometimes formaldehyde).
Dyeing:
Low-impact fiber-reactive or natural dyes with
low metal and sulfur content.
High temperature with heavy metals and
sulfur content.
Printing:
Low-impact, water-based inks and/or pigments with no heavy
metals.
Pigments may be petroleum based and contain
heavy metals.
Run off spills into waterways, polluting streams.
Fair Trade:
Social criteria in place to ensure
safe, healthy, non-abusive, nondiscriminatory
environment with
living wages.
No social screening. Possible child or forced
labor used.
Facilities may be unsafe and unhealthy.
Marketing:
Positive story can be told to differentiate you from your competitors.
None. As awareness of organic advantage
expands, potential for negative image.
Price:
Initial cost more expensive. Long term
advantages priceless.
Initially cheaper. Long- term impact on
environment devastating.
© 2008 Harmony Art & Fox-Rich Textiles
* All Harmony Art organic cotton fabrics conform to the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS).
