What’s New In Organic?
What’s New in Organic?
It’s interesting how the term “organic “ has come into so many areas of our world and lives.
What started in the beginning of the 20th century as a response to the agricultural movement of using chemical fertilizers in farming to now, where it exists in just about every sector of our lives.
All you have to do is look at what’s bubbling up in the news and see a range anywhere from cut and dry agriculture, the science of and around organic compounds to fashion to food.
What’s New in Organic Testing?
Products labeled “organic” have to hold up to rigorous testing criteria, the highest bar being the GOTS certification (https://global-standard.org ).
Recently, a huge stride was towards the global standardization process by 14 labs.
With locations ranging from Portugal, to India, to China and Germany, the approval of these labs is a reflection of both the labs’ conduct of and the efficacy of these tests. This opens up more locations approved to screen for the potential presence of genetically modified seeds or other components along a value chain.
This is a big deal for the ISO IWA 32:2019 protocol (developed by GOTS, OCA https://www.organiccottonaccelerator.org, and Textile Exchange https://textileexchange.org) whose goal is a common testing language among labs globally.
A cotton product labeled “organic” means that GMOs can’t be knowingly used in the cotton value chain from farm, to production, to the brands and that steps have been taking to ensure this. To manage this, it’s important that organic cotton manufacturers can test their products easily and reliably. Qualitative GM cotton testing is a must within the GOTS and OCS https://textileexchange.org/matrix/organic-ocs/ supply chain.
Source: Photo by Joshua Lanzarini on Unsplash
As it turns out, per Dr. Katheen Delate Ph.D., Iowa State University Department of Horticulture, up to 30% of “organic” cottonseed may be contaminated with GM seed. Can organic cotton be GMO?
Well, that is a tricky question. Technically no, but due to the sheer quantity it is hard to root out, and having a common testing language and ample testing locations will help resolve it.
This is a good thing because the demand for organic cotton is rising, A recent survey by the US Cotton Trust Protocol and Sourcing Journal found that 54% of textile and clothing manufacturers have seen customer demand for environmentally sustainable practices and products increased since the start of the pandemic. Organic production is up 22% overall YOY. The conventional cotton supply chain, severely crippled by COVID-19 is backed up and or overstocked. Simultaneously, consumer data shows a greater and increased demand for sustainable products and materials.
Cotton is the most heavily used fiber in all textiles, so this bump is felt across many product categories. Overall, consumers are willing to pay more for certified organic cotton, and therefore the cotton supply chain needs to be able to easy access availability to test and certify their components and products.
Transparency is key in this new normal and certified organic cotton is key to greater visibility and relevance for brands.
What’s New in Organic Fashion?
Madewell is a brand that saw the need to offer sustainable and organic products before the onslaught, launching a line in 2018 called the “Eco Collection” using organic cotton and production processes that used 65% fewer chemicals and 75% less water than conventional fabric.
The brand pledged that the products are made using "organically-sourced Italian cotton grown from non-GMO seeds" without using any toxic chemical treatments.”
The company further announced more long term commitments timed with the most recent Earth Day. Thei
They are deepening their existing Fair Trade partnerships and committing to making changes in all aspects of their business. For example, they are pushing to have all of their packaging materials be sourced sustainably and to use recycled plastic and alternative sources to substitute for virgin plastic. Madewell also guarantees that all operations in company-owned and operated facilities will be carbon neutral by 2030.
Source: https://sourcingjournal.com/denim/denim-brands/madewell-sustainability-fair-trade-denim-factories-materials-culture-cotton-saitex-203054/
To commence these promises, Madewell added new Spring styles to the brand’s “Do Well Shop” featuring sustainably made pieces to Fair Trade certified denim. They include a tie-dyed jean jacket, denim short overall, a midi dress and cardigan. The company also partners with the Better Cotton Initiative.
What’s New in Organic Food?
One of Americas Top Ten candies is coming to market in an organic version this year. Organic Reese’s Peanut Butter cups will on their way inn 2021! And, according to the Hersey Company press release, the Peanut Buter Cup is one of many planned organic versions of their classic candies planned for fiscal 2021.
If you are like me and love seeing new iterations of classics, it’s somewhat comforting to see longtime favorite treats being reimagined this way. And if you are like most, it may not seem to you that the words "organic" and candy” belong in the same sentence, take this into account-to be labeled as organic food, a product must use at least 95% organically produced ingredients. In theory, that shouldn’t be that hard at all; but if you pause to consider all the industrialization that has occurred in mass food manufacturing and processing, it’s easy to see how things can get offtrack. It’s exciting to know such. along time favorite is going back to basics and by being “organic” don’t expect signature taste of peanut butter and chocolate to change at all, just expect to be getting the best, organically produced ingredients possible
https://shop.hersheys.com/reeses-1/HSY-004409.htm
We at Terra Thread Home are proud to be counted among the brands committed to bringing best in class certified organic products to you. We use GOTS certified organic cotton and our parent company, Gallant International Inc. is B Corp certified-our supply chain, our workers, and the land our 100% organic cotton comes from is grown and manufactured according to the strictest environmental, ethical, and fair practices. Additionally, Terra Thread Home is a proud participant in a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program where we support the FEEDING AMERICA initiative for helping those who are food insecure. We contribute to help end food insecurity in the U.S. through Feeding America. Through the Tony Robbins One Billion Meals Challenge, we can have double the impact.
We are proud to offer a selection of GOTS-certified 100% organic cotton high-quality, luxury feel items for your home.
Source: Terra Thread Home
https://www.voguebusiness.com/sustainability/can-fashions-favourite-fabric-become-more-sustainable
https://www.businessinsider.com/sustainability-as-a-value-is-changing-how-consumers-shop
https://www.complex.com/style/2021/02/hm-lee-jeans
https://circularsystems.com/products-v2/texloop-yarn-rcot-primo-organic-l2r49
https://www.delish.com/food-news/a35448710/organic-reeses-peanut-butter-cups/
https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2018/08/208464/madewell-eco-collection-denim-launch
https://sourcingjournal.com/denim/denim-brands/madewell-sustainability-fair-trade-denim-factories-materials-culture-cotton-saitex-203054/