Organic Soft Dolls
What Does Organic Mean?
Simply stated, organic produce are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilisers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionising radiation. Therefore an organic soft toy is one that has been produced with organic fabrics which can include cotton, hemp, silk or wool.
Our organic soft dolls are usually made out of organic cotton. Organic cotton is generally understood as cotton, grown from non-genetically modified plants without the use of the chemicals additives mentioned above.
How is this done? Farmers use composted manures and cover-crops to replace synthetic fertilisers. Innovative weeding strategies are used instead of herbicides. Beneficial insects and trap-crops are used to control pests.
Growing organically takes more time, requires more knowledge and skill and at least for now, costs a bit more. But it is worth it since it doesn't contain any hidden costs to our environment.
WHY BUY ORGANIC DOLLS?
- For reasons of health:
So what's the problem with standard cotton?
Standard cotton ranks second for the most pesticides used of all crops.
- To protect the environment:
Cotton growers who make the transition to biologically based growing practices expect not only to offer a healthier and cleaner product but also to benefit the planet. Some of the contributions to the different ecosystems include:
- Protecting surface and groundwater quality because of the elimination of contaminants in surface runoff.
- Reduced risk insects and disease control by replacing insecticide with the manipulation of ecosystems.
- Long-term prevention of pests through beneficial habitat planting.
- Conservation of biodiversity.
- Organically grown crops also yield soils with higher organic matter content, thicker topsoil depth, higher polysaccharide content and lower modulus of rupture, therefore reducing soil erosion.
- For reasons of fair trade:
Standard cotton is cheaper than organic cotton. This statement is only true if we disregard the hidden costs of standard cotton cultivation. The hidden costs are the price the local community pays to fight for example the pollution of the environment and waters.
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
This standard for organic textiles covers the production, processing, manufacturing, packaging, labelling, exportation, importation and distribution of all natural fibres.
