Cotton - sustainable natural product or problematic industry?

Cotton is one of the oldest and most important natural fibers in the world. It has been used to make textiles for thousands of years and is popular for its skin-friendliness, breathability and versatility. But how sustainable is cotton really? What are the differences between conventional and organic cotton? And why does cotton play a crucial role in sustainable fashion and products such as period underwear? In this article, you will learn all about the properties, cultivation and environmental footprint of cotton.

Cotton is a natural fiber that is obtained from the seed hairs of the cotton plant (Gossypium). It consists mainly of cellulose and is one of the most commonly used fibers in the textile industry. Due to its absorbency and softness, it is particularly pleasant on the skin and can be found in clothing, bed linen and sustainable products such as period panties.

Properties of cotton

• Breathable, soft and skin-friendly: Ideal for sensitive skin as it absorbs moisture well.

• Durable & robust: High-quality cotton lasts for many years.

• Biodegradable: Unlike synthetic fibers, it leaves no microplastic waste behind.

The path from the cotton plant to the finished fabric is complex. Here is an overview of the most important steps:

1. cultivation & harvest

Cotton is grown in warm climates, including the USA, India, China, Pakistan, Brazil and Africa. The plant needs plenty of sun, water and nutrient-rich soil. It is grown both conventionally and organically. While conventional cotton fields are often monocultures and are intensively irrigated and treated with pesticides, organic cultivation relies on crop rotation and the avoidance of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

A cotton plant takes around five to six months to grow. After flowering, green bolls form, which later burst open to reveal the white cotton fibers.

Harvesting methods

There are two different harvesting methods:

• Mechanical harvesting: In the USA, Australia and other countries with large-scale production, the material is harvested using harvesting machines. Before mechanical harvesting, chemical defoliants are often used to remove the leaves and enable more efficient harvesting.

• Manual harvesting: In countries such as India, Pakistan or West Africa, harvesting is done by hand. This is standard practice in organic cultivation in particular, as chemical defoliants are not permitted. However, working conditions are problematic in many cultivation areas, as cotton pickers are often underpaid and child labor is not uncommon.

The harvested cotton is then packed in large bales and transported for further processing.

2. ginning & processing

After harvesting, the cotton bolls are transported to the ginning plant, where the seeds are separated from the fibers. This process takes place in special machines, known as "gins", which remove the long cotton fibers while the seeds are processed for other uses such as the production of cottonseed oil or animal feed.

After ginning, the fibers are cleaned to remove dirt, dust and plant residues. They then pass through a combing and carding machine, which aligns the fibers in parallel and separates matted fibers from each other. The finer this process, the higher the quality of the yarn obtained from the cotton. The fibers are then spun into yarns, either by mechanical or modern ring-spinning processes, which allow for a more uniform and softer end product.

3. weaving & dyeing

The spun yarn is further processed into fabrics in weaving mills. There are various techniques such as classic weaving, knitting or braiding. Cotton fabrics can be produced in weaves of different densities, including poplin, denim or satin, which differ in feel, weight and durability.

The weaving process is followed by dyeing, a critical point in the environmental balance of cotton. In the conventional textile industry, synthetic dyes and chemical fixatives are often used, which require large quantities of water and can leave behind harmful residues. Sustainable alternatives rely on vegetable or mineral dyeing methods, which cause less environmental pollution and are less harmful to health. In addition, innovative techniques such as waterless dyeing or digital printing processes are increasingly being researched in order to further minimize the ecological footprint of cotton processing. Never heard of the ecological footprint? Then take a look here. The yarn is woven or knitted into fabric and dyed using various techniques. Conventional dyeing methods can be harmful to the environment, while organic dyeing relies on natural or low-pollutant processes.

Cotton is a natural fiber, but its production can have a significant environmental impact. High water consumption, pesticide use and monoculture farming pose major challenges.

Conventional vs. organic cotton

Both cotton and wool are natural fibers that play a major role in the textile industry. But which is the better choice for animals and the environment?

Comparison of cotton vs. wool

• Animal welfare: Wool comes from sheep that are often kept in poor conditions. Cotton, on the other hand, is plant-based and does not require animal husbandry.

• Sustainability: While organic cotton can be grown with less water and without pesticides, wool is harmful to the climate due to methane emissions from sheep farming.

• Comfort: Cotton is soft, breathable and counteracts unpleasant perspiration. And who hasn't experienced the unpleasant scratchy feeling of a wool sweater? Cotton is definitely the comfortable alternative. AND: While wool is susceptible to moth infestation, cotton is not.

So cotton beats wool in terms of animal welfare, sustainability and comfort.

Bamboo is considered a sustainable alternative to cotton, but is it really?

• Water consumption: Bamboo grows without artificial irrigation, whereas cotton requires a lot of water depending on the cultivation method.

• Use of pesticides: Bamboo often manages without pesticides, whereas conventional cotton is chemically treated.

• Processing: While cotton is processed mechanically, bamboo often requires chemical processes for fiber extraction.

Want to find out more about the benefits of bamboo? Then take a look at this blog post. Did you know that Taynie offers period products made from bamboo? These are soft and comfortable to wear against your skin, preventing irritation. One of our bamboo favorites is the Taynie Comfort Bamboo ultra.

The use of cotton goes back over 5000 years. The first evidence comes from ancient India, Egypt and South America. Originally harvested by hand, today machines take over this task in many countries. Unfortunately, in some regions people, including children, are still working under poor conditions in the cotton harvest. This is particularly problematic in countries such as Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, where forced labor in cotton production has been documented.

The best cotton is that which is produced sustainably and fairly. Organic cotton is particularly noteworthy here, as it is grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. There are also high-quality cotton varieties such as Pima cotton or Egyptian cotton, which are characterized by their long fibre length and special softness.

Yes, it is one of the best fibers against heavy sweating. It absorbs moisture and allows the skin to breathe, making it particularly suitable for summer clothing and bedding. Do you suffer from very sweaty feet and are looking in vain for breathable socks? Don't worry, we have something for you! Taynie not only offers period products, but also socks - from classic socks to sneaker, tennis or business socks, everything is included! The best thing about them? They are made of cotton fibers and are therefore odor-inhibiting and counteract sweaty feet. No expense has been spared when it comes to comfort either, as the socks are seamless to prevent any unpleasant cutting.

Cotton is particularly kind to the skin and is suitable for sensitive skin types and allergy sufferers. It does not contain any irritating chemicals, provided it has not been treated with synthetic dyes or pesticides. Organic cotton is the best choice for people with sensitive skin. Speaking of sensitive skin: Do you suffer from particularly sensitive skin and struggle with blemishes, especially during your period? Then we have a reading tip for you.

The cotton industry is often associated with poor working conditions. In developing countries in particular, many people work in precarious conditions, with low wages and long working hours. Sustainable labels rely on Fairtrade-certified cotton to ensure that workers receive fair wages and safe working conditions.

Many garments today are made from polyester or blended fabrics. But which fiber is the better choice?

• Cotton: Natural, breathable, biodegradable, but prone to creasing.

• Polyester: Tear-resistant, dries quickly, but contains microplastics and is less skin-friendly.

Conclusion: Those who value sustainability and comfort should prefer organic cotton or Tencel.

The fashion industry is changing: sustainable materials and fair production methods are increasingly coming into focus. Cotton - especially organically grown cotton - plays a central role in this, as it is

• is more environmentally friendly than synthetic fabrics,

• is kind to the skin,

• is recyclable and biodegradable.

Would you like to make your closet even more sustainable? Then we recommend that you consciously avoid fast fashion consciously. The fast fashion industry is not only characterized by miserable working conditions, but also has a negative impact on the environment. Instead, we recommend buying your clothes second-hand - be it in thrift stores, at flea markets or at clothes swaps.

At Taynie, we attach great importance to sustainable and skin-friendly materials - the environment and your health are important to us! In addition to organic cotton, we also use bamboo viscose for our products to make them comfortable to wear. We also consider biocides, chemicals and other harmful substances to be real red flags, so these environmental and health killers are guaranteed to have no place in our products. Here we explain in more detail the dangers associated with biocides. Our products are also STANDARD 100 by Oeko-Text ® certified. This means that all the ingredients in our products are classified as harmless to health. Find out more about the benefits of our products here.

Cotton is a versatile, breathable and sustainable fiber - especially in its organic version. In combination with innovative textile technologies, it will continue to play an important role in sustainable fashion in the future. We at Taynie therefore recommend making conscious purchasing decisions and giving preference to sustainable alternatives such as organic cotton.

Author: Taynie.de