{"id":72564,"url":"\/blog-why-we-use-organic-cotton\/","layout":"standard","version":"2021-10-08T09:38:20.000000Z","blocks":[{"id":519892,"type":"slideshow","published":1,"size":{"x":12,"y":0},"order":0,"items":[{"id":519893,"type":"slide","published":1,"size":{"x":12,"y":0},"order":0,"items":[],"properties":{"title":{"id":4844187,"value":"Why We Use Organic Cotton"},"image":{"id":4844188,"value":"{\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/images.podos.io\\\/wdf1m5mgglye8wj5znwyq0ytda7zwhlbhh4fj8yogfqpksya.jpeg.jpg?w=auto&h=auto\",\"alt\":\"\"}"},"gradient":{"id":4844189,"value":"15"},"textShadow":{"id":4844190,"value":"30"},"letterSpacing":{"id":4844191,"value":"-4"},"font":{"id":4844192,"value":"Lato"},"copy":{"id":4844193,"value":"Learn why it's important to be 'organic' cotton over regular cotton and other alternatives"},"align":{"id":4844194,"value":"center"},"compact":{"id":4844195,"value":"0"},"bannerRatio":{"id":4844196,"value":"0.4"},"actions":{"id":4844197,"value":"[{\"text\":\"\",\"href\":\"#\"}]"}}}],"properties":{"title":{"id":4844181,"value":null},"copy":{"id":4844182,"value":null},"speed":{"id":4844183,"value":"6000"},"mode":{"id":4844184,"value":"slideshow"},"compact":{"id":4844185,"value":"1"},"primaryActions":{"id":4844186,"value":"0"},"fullWidth":{"id":20925897,"value":"1"}}},{"id":519895,"type":"textBlock","published":1,"size":{"x":12,"y":0},"order":1,"items":[],"properties":{"title":{"id":4844207,"value":null},"subTitle":{"id":4844208,"value":null},"html":{"id":4844209,"value":"

What material used in clothing is a big deal as it can significantly impact<\/strong> how sustainable<\/strong> it is. We'll start off with the bad then go into better alternatives <\/strong>and finally talk about what we do to minimise our impact as much as possible with the conscious material<\/strong> we use.<\/p>"},"paragraph1":{"id":4844210,"value":null},"paragraph2":{"id":4844211,"value":null},"paragraph3":{"id":4844212,"value":null}}},{"id":519995,"type":"textBlock","published":1,"size":{"x":12,"y":0},"order":2,"items":[],"properties":{"title":{"id":4845088,"value":null},"subTitle":{"id":4845089,"value":null},"html":{"id":4845090,"value":"

Plastic is a definite NO!<\/h3>

Plastic clothing is made of synthetic fibres and commonly comes in the form of polyester, nylon and acrylic. These materials are made from fossil fuels (crude oil and natural gas specifically), these are non-renewable so we can't rely on them being a resource to be used forever. At the rate we are currently using fossil fuels up it is estimated they'll be depleted by 2060! Not only that, the extraction of these fuels damages our planet severely too!<\/p>

<\/p>"},"paragraph1":{"id":4845091,"value":null},"paragraph2":{"id":4845092,"value":null},"paragraph3":{"id":4845093,"value":null}}},{"id":520019,"type":"textBlock","published":1,"size":{"x":6,"y":0},"order":3,"items":[],"properties":{"title":{"id":4845299,"value":null},"subTitle":{"id":4845300,"value":null},"html":{"id":4845301,"value":"

Microplastics<\/h3>

Another problem with plastic-based clothing is that once it gets washed it shed micro-fibres. These microfibres are a form of micro plastic that will gradually pollute the environment they are worn in.<\/p>

Microplastics are a what all plastics eventually break down into. They are a serious problem both for the animals and us too. When animals ingest them their gastrointestinal tracks get blocked causing them to stop eating and eventually starve. Also if consumed by animals that we eat, we too are ingesting these plastics too! Plastic also can have toxic to consume, both for animals and us - problems from this can be neurotoxicity, metabolic disturbances and even cancer!<\/p>

This problem is so wide spread that when scientist took snow samples on Mt Everest, they found traces of microplastic from even as remote parts as the summit. These were found to be from the climbers clothing. So if remote areas like this can be polluted with plastic, just image how much is present in built up areas like cities!<\/p>"},"paragraph1":{"id":4845302,"value":null},"paragraph2":{"id":4845303,"value":null},"paragraph3":{"id":4845304,"value":null}}},{"id":520043,"type":"pod","published":1,"size":{"x":6,"y":0},"order":4,"items":[],"properties":{"title":{"id":4845522,"value":null},"copy":{"id":4845523,"value":null},"href":{"id":4845524,"value":null},"badge":{"id":4845525,"value":null},"icon":{"id":4845526,"value":null},"overlay":{"id":4845527,"value":"0"},"ratio":{"id":4845528,"value":null},"textAlign":{"id":4845529,"value":"center"},"image":{"id":4845530,"value":"{\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/images.podos.io\\\/ybe1hksgrjp2hn91fysjoqdzq3j8phxrdod5bqt9te6iouae.jpeg.jpg?w=auto&h=auto\",\"alt\":\"\"}"}}},{"id":520044,"type":"textBlock","published":1,"size":{"x":12,"y":0},"order":5,"items":[],"properties":{"title":{"id":4845531,"value":null},"subTitle":{"id":4845532,"value":null},"html":{"id":4845533,"value":"

The simple solution is to stop using plastic for unnecessary things; especially when there's alternatives available. So the obvious answer is to move away from synthetic fibres and have clothing made solely out of organic fibres. This means not to go for poly-cotton blends or anything similar to that. This is because it still contains plastic so has all the inherent problems mentioned above (to a lesser degree than 100% plastic but still contributes).<\/p>

<\/p>"},"paragraph1":{"id":4845534,"value":null},"paragraph2":{"id":4845535,"value":null},"paragraph3":{"id":4845536,"value":null}}},{"id":520045,"type":"textBlock","published":1,"size":{"x":12,"y":0},"order":6,"items":[],"properties":{"title":{"id":4845537,"value":null},"subTitle":{"id":4845538,"value":null},"html":{"id":4845539,"value":"

Is Cotton the Solution?<\/h3>

Going for 100% cotton may seem like the smart solution then, right? It has only organic fibres and no plastic so it has no problems then, right?<\/p>

Unfortunately this is not the case. Cotton has problems too. To start, it is a very thirsty plant; it takes 2,700 litres of water to produce enough cotton for one T-shirt - that's a lot!<\/p>"},"paragraph1":{"id":4845540,"value":null},"paragraph2":{"id":4845541,"value":null},"paragraph3":{"id":4845542,"value":null}}},{"id":520057,"type":"textBlock","published":1,"size":{"x":6,"y":0},"order":7,"items":[],"properties":{"title":{"id":4845663,"value":null},"subTitle":{"id":4845664,"value":null},"html":{"id":4845665,"value":"

So why does it take so much water?<\/strong><\/p>

Firstly, this is because they use pesticides and herbicides in their farming. These are so harmful to use that they need to be diluted to 'safe' levels which takes a fifth of the required water.<\/p>

They also contaminate the soil, this effects the quality of it meaning it soaks up and retains significantly less water meaning way more is required to water the cotton adequately.<\/p>

The surrounding water sources by the farm also get polluted. This is from the water sources carrying the chemicals with them in the form of run off water. This kills the wildlife and makes the water unusable for the local community and for watering the cotton. This means the need to extract more water from elsewhere to water the cotton.<\/p>"},"paragraph1":{"id":4845666,"value":null},"paragraph2":{"id":4845667,"value":null},"paragraph3":{"id":4845668,"value":null}}},{"id":520058,"type":"pod","published":1,"size":{"x":6,"y":0},"order":8,"items":[],"properties":{"title":{"id":4845669,"value":null},"copy":{"id":4845670,"value":null},"href":{"id":4845671,"value":null},"badge":{"id":4845672,"value":null},"icon":{"id":4845673,"value":null},"overlay":{"id":4845674,"value":"0"},"ratio":{"id":4845675,"value":null},"textAlign":{"id":4845676,"value":"center"},"image":{"id":4845677,"value":"{\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/images.podos.io\\\/cvbpkth8rwqp3pujrq3kangsgiowmh3lyy8kof9tfetlknux.jpeg.jpg?w=auto&h=auto\",\"alt\":\"\"}"}}},{"id":520059,"type":"textBlock","published":1,"size":{"x":12,"y":0},"order":9,"items":[],"properties":{"title":{"id":4845678,"value":null},"subTitle":{"id":4845679,"value":null},"html":{"id":4845680,"value":"

This is why we use Organic Cotton Instead<\/h3>

When cotton is certified as being organic this means it does not use herbicides or pesticides. This means significantly less water is used to grow the cotton. It doesn't need water to: dilute the pesticides & herbicides, the soil won't be contaminated and the surrounding water sources are useable.<\/p>

The last point is especially important. We have our cotton farms in Northern India where they experience a monsoon season. To take advantage of this we have reservoirs around the farm that can store the rain water from this time of the year. The reservoir water fulfils almost all of the cotton's water needs.<\/p>"},"paragraph1":{"id":4845681,"value":null},"paragraph2":{"id":4845682,"value":null},"paragraph3":{"id":4845683,"value":null}}},{"id":520084,"type":"textBlock","published":1,"size":{"x":6,"y":0},"order":10,"items":[],"properties":{"title":{"id":4845944,"value":null},"subTitle":{"id":4845945,"value":null},"html":{"id":4845946,"value":"

Better for the Farmers too<\/strong><\/p>

A final benefit is it is better for the farmers too. The use of pesticides and herbicides is very harmful to workers. Short term problems from working around these chemicals include: dizziness, rashes, nausea, stinging eyes and diarrhoea. But long term has shown workers can experience: blindness, Alzheimers, cancer, and even death due to being exposed to them.<\/p>

This is important as so much exploitation happens in the fashion industry so it is not only important to not contribute to it. Here at Narked Shark, we want to be more than just a sustainable fashion brand but also an ethical one who treats their workers fairly.<\/p>

All of this is why we say 'We make you feel good whilst you look good<\/strong>' <\/p>

Narked Shark is a brand that's good for the planet promotes helping the planet and gives back to the planet.<\/p>"},"paragraph1":{"id":4845947,"value":null},"paragraph2":{"id":4845948,"value":null},"paragraph3":{"id":4845949,"value":null}}},{"id":520085,"type":"pod","published":1,"size":{"x":6,"y":0},"order":11,"items":[],"properties":{"title":{"id":4845950,"value":null},"copy":{"id":4845951,"value":null},"href":{"id":4845952,"value":null},"badge":{"id":4845953,"value":null},"icon":{"id":4845954,"value":null},"overlay":{"id":4845955,"value":"0"},"ratio":{"id":4845956,"value":null},"textAlign":{"id":4845957,"value":"center"},"image":{"id":4845958,"value":"{\"src\":\"https:\\\/\\\/images.podos.io\\\/2tbhjmtwgggmi4ojwkgdo2abl3wckhpkkzzccg3moop3lduz.png.png?w=auto&h=auto\",\"alt\":\"\"}"}}}],"properties":{"userSaved":{"id":4844174,"value":"1"},"isStorePage":{"id":4844175,"value":"1"},"loginState":{"id":4844177,"value":"everyone"},"title":{"id":4844178,"value":"BLOG: Why We Use Organic Cotton"},"description":{"id":4844179,"value":"Learn why it is important to use 'organic' cotton over regular cotton and other material alternatives."},"ogImage":{"id":4844180,"value":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/szqugoug4xtqvnp56uhj6zamf2rvspfn0cdgjyeuuvjsltlu.jpeg.jpg?w=1200&h=auto"}},"labels":[],"published":1,"sitemap":1,"divisionId":114661,"edited":true}