Conventional Cotton Sucks

For decades, conventional cotton has been a universal  staple, cultivated around the globe for a multitude of applications. Unfortunately, most cotton production is tainted by unethical practices and environmental destruction that’s been perpetuated over centuries.

Conventional cotton, is grown on only 2.4% of agricultural land, but accounts for an astounding 11% of pesticides and 24% of insecticides. These chemicals destroy soil quality. Bad soil means weaker plants, weaker plants attract more pests, more pests require pesticides, resulting in even weaker soil. This paradox creates a devastating cycle that leads to barren land, ailing farmers, and broken ecosystems.

Furthermore, conventional cotton is responsible for an enormous amount of water consumption. Over 700 gallons of water can be required to make a conventional t-shirt.

The Aral Sea was once a vast body of water, but has been reduced to less than a quarter of its size from excessive demand to irrigate cotton fields. This drainage has collapsed the sea’s surrounding ecosystem and depressed a once thriving fishing economy.

CHNGE was founded around the ideal that clothing should either be made sustainably, or not be made at all. And we stand with those who are ready to embrace an improved alternative—organic cotton.

1. By using organic farming practices, all harmful pesticides were avoided (305 types to be exact).
2. Without fertilizer or irrigation needed for farming, our organic cotton uses 62% less energy than conventional cotton.
3. This same organic rain fed cotton saves more than 500 gallons of water per shirt. The same amount of water the average person drinks over two years. 

At CHNGE, we want to go even further by offsetting all CO2 emissions from our production and your post-purchase washing/drying of the shirt. In other words, making our shirts 100% carbon neutral.

We will create our clothing sustainably, not just to prove it’s possible, but to set an example for other companies. One of our first initiatives is to use 100% organic cotton in all of our products that call for the fabric.

CHNGE is committed to sourcing the best fabrics, not just for their quality, but also for their minimal impact on the environment. Committing to the use of organic cotton is one step towards creating a more natural and sustainable future. As a single company, we can’t change the entire cotton industry, but we can sell products to the consumers who can.