Why does Pixel Organics use organic cotton?

Its the environment, STUPID! At the current moment 25% percent of the worlds pesticides are used for the production of conventional cotton. To put this in perspective cotton as a crop accounts for only 3% of the worlds crop production. These chemicals are closer to home than you may think. By not using these toxic chemicals organic agriculture minimizes childrens (and adults) exposure to toxic and persistent pesticides in the soil which they play, the air they breathe, the water they drink, and the foods they eat. Organic is much more than just a catch phrase.


Here are some reasons why organic cotton production is important to the long-term health of the planet.

• Cotton uses approximately 25% of the world's insecticides and more than 10% of the pesticides (including herbicides, insecticides, and defoliants.). (Allan Woodburn)
• Approximately 10% of all pesticides sold for use in U. S. agriculture were applied to cotton in 1997, the most recent year for which such data is publicly available. (ACPA)
• It takes roughly one-third of a pound of chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) to grow enough cotton for just one T-shirt. (SCP)
• Fifty-five million pounds of pesticides were sprayed on the 12.8 million acres of conventional cotton grown in the U.S. in 2003 (4.3 pounds/ acre), ranking cotton third behind corn and soybeans in total amount of pesticides sprayed. (USDA)
• Over 2.03 billion pounds of synthetic fertilizers were applied to conventional cotton in 2000 (142 pounds/acre), making cotton the fourth most heavily fertilized crop behind corn, winter wheat, and soybeans.
• The Environmental Protection Agency considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton in 2000 in the United States as "possible," "likely," "probable," or "known" human carcinogens (acephate, dichloropropene, diuron, fluometuron, pendimethalin, tribufos, and trifluralin).(EPA)

For Pixel organic describes a way of doing business that benefits all who come in contact with us. We are not just lessening the impact on the planet, but rather we aim to improve the environment, our children, our economy and our lives. By focusing on producing products that are either organic or reusable (aka sustainable) we are conducting business in a way that makes a difference to the people and environment around us. It is true that happy products are made by happy people.


For more information visit the Organic Trade Association at
www.ota.org