How Organic Cotton Farming Saves Water

As consumers, you and I hold a lot of power. If organic food matters to you, then organic cotton should, too. Why? Because, many times, your clothes are grown in the same fields as your produce. Mind blown.

Where we choose to spend our dollars can affect entire nations. And for developing countries like water-challenged India where their economy depends on cotton—one of the world’s thirstiest crops—organic, sustainable farming matters.

When it comes to organic cotton, it’s a bit simpler to understand how it benefits you. It’s more tangible. It affects you personally. You can see, feel, and smell its difference compared to conventional cotton. But what about the environment? How does cotton farming—both organic and conventional—directly affect the world’s water supply?

It all starts with that parched little cotton seed. This thirsty little seed that sprouts, blossoms, and grows into a full-sized cotton boll that can hold 27 times its own weight in water.

Conventional cotton farming is quite literally is a water suck—it’s both a blessing and a curse for developing countries that rely on this cash crop to fuel their economies yet 100 million people in their country don’t have access to safe water.

Organic cotton farming, on the other hand, can contribute to a 91 percent reduction in water consumption. In one year alone, organic cotton farming could save farmers 218 billion liters of water, which equals 87,201 Olympic-sized swimming pools. That’s a lot of water saved.

And to think, you have the power to put your money where your mouth is—to say, why yes, I do care about the environment. Today, I’m going to do more than just happily recycle and diligently turn off the water while brushing my teeth.

If you’re like me, perhaps you haven’t done more because you don’t know how. Or, you know there’s a way, but you just don’t have the time—or you simply don’t care enough—to figure it out.

Luckily, Pact has figured it all out for you. All you have to do is buy organic cotton instead of conventional cotton. In fact, Pact even has a little Greenstory-powered blue box under every product details section that clearly states the amount of water saved. Have you seen them? Pact 100% Organic Cotton Sheets save 540 gallons of water. This Pact 100% Organic Cotton Hoodie saves 125 gallons. Heck, even a Pact Kids’ 100% Organic Sweatshirt saves almost 67 gallons of water!

It’s time to apply that same recycling mentality to your purchase power. Every little bit adds up. Pact is proof that style and sustainability can co-exist.