We are going to illustrate exactly how and why choosing 100% Certified Organic Cotton apparel is fantastically beneficial to the planet, helps support farmers, and raises the image of your firm as a progressive, solutions-oriented organization (exactly how you want to be perceived by your audience).

Due to the growing movement in the U.S. business community, companies are realizing that smart business practice works in harmony with social and environmental responsibility. Stated by one of our t-shirt manufacturers, Bodek & Rhodes – “It’s a movement that respects the environment and protects people’s health, as well as helping to preserve our air, water and land.”

As one of our committed apparel suppliers, Bodek and Rhodes was kind enough to help demystify the organic process like this:

‘It all starts with the cotton…’

Traditional Cotton – On many traditional cotton farms, because of the depletion of nutrients and pesticides, the soil is most often sterile, meaning that the farms rely on additives, synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, plus vast quantities of water to keep growing.

ORGANIC Cotton – In contrast, organic farming restores and builds up the soil, increasing its organic content, which in turn increases its water-sustaining ability. The rich, moist earth results in stronger plants, which improve the soil even more. Far less water runs off organic fields, and what does is not polluted with pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.

Seeds

Traditional – 70% of seeds used are GMO – ‘genetically modified organism’ seeds. Also, typically treated with fungicides or insecticides.

ORGANIC – Uses untreated seeds, never GMO seeds.

Soil & Water

Traditional – Applies synthetic fibers. Loss of soil due to predominantly same-crop repetition. Requires intensive irrigation.

ORGANIC – Builds strong soil through crop rotation. Retains water more efficiently thanks to increased organic matter in the soil.

Weeding

Traditional – Applies herbicides to inhibit weeds. Repeated herbicides to kill weeds that appear.

ORGANIC – Weeds are physically removed, rather than chemical destruction. Hand-hoeing and cultivation control weeds.

Pest Control

Traditional – Uses insecticides heavily – the 9 most common are highly toxic; five are probably carcinogens. Frequently uses aerial spraying, with potential drift onto workers, communities and wildlife.

ORGANIC – Maintains a balance between pests and other natural predators through healthy soil. Uses good bugs, biological and cultural practices to control pests. May use trap crops such as alfalfa, planted around the cotton to lure insects away from cotton.

Harvesting

Traditional – Defoliates with toxic chemicals

ORGANIC – Relies mostly on the seasonal freeze for defoliation. May stimulate defoliation through water management.

‘It’s not just the cotton…’

The Gin – Here the fiber is separated from the seed. The seed is used in animal feed or pressed into oils for processed foods.

Spinning – The cotton is cleaned to remove any foreign matter and then combed to align fibers and remove any that are too short. The fibers are pulled together into a loose yarn called ‘sliver’, which is then twisted under tension to create yarns.

Dyeing & Finishing – For 100% organic products, only environmentally-friendly chemicals that meet fiber processing standards are used.

Certification – Each field and each bale of cotton is specifically certified to be sure that it contains certified organic materials, and certified organic standards for the growing and processing.

It is worth mentioning that organic cotton is only one of several excellent options available for custom imprinted apparel and accessories. For example, organic hemp as well as recycled high-count polyester are both great choices and readily available. HT Naturals – one of our best apparel suppliers – uses 100% organic hemp and organic cotton blends for some of the most stylish, durable, and comfortable t-shirts, caps, accessories, and tote bags that we have seen. Similarly, recycled polyester is available from several garment suppliers as fleece pullovers, polos, athletic apparel, and accessories. The bottom line is that your vendor should know which options are available that will meet your specific needs…it’s their job. Work with a company that listens and clearly understands your specific requirements because you deserve to get exactly what you want.

Oliveri and Company, LLC offers creative design, full-service printing solutions, inventory management, direct-mail fulfillment and distribution services as well as custom embroidery and imprinting on a wide range of quality, eco-friendly promotional products and apparel for women and men.

Visit us at: http://www.oliveriandco.com/