Is Cotton Clothing Sustainable? Environmental Impact Uncovered
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Is cotton clothing sustainable? Most of us think cotton clothing is sustainable because it is a natural fabric. Unfortunately the reality is slightly different to what you might have imagined. Granted there are many pros to cotton, it’s soft, lightweight, breathable and a naturally grown material, but cotton can have a serious impact on the environment and the lives of those who grow it. So is cotton good for the environment? Unfortunately not. Cotton requires huge amounts of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to grow, polluting local ecosystems and the water from which farmers drink. It degrades soil quality, prevents biodiversity, and forces many to labour in tough conditions without fair pay. The good news is that cotton clothes can be made sustainably and when they are, cotton has significant advantages compared to other synthetic or chemically intensive fibres like bamboo. You just
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