WHY ORGANIC?

Go Ahead and Do Your Part - Your Planet Will Thank You

Going organic helps to keep chemicals out of the air, water, soil, and most importantly - our bodies.

One third of the world’s pesticides are used on cotton crops alone. These chemicals are absorbed into the cotton plant, the air, the soil, the water and eventually, our bodies. These harmful toxins also make their way back into our food chain - the cotton seeds are used to feed the cattle we get our milk and beef from, and also used to make cottonseed oil, a cornerstone of the processed foods most families eat every day; and it’s just not bad for the planet; 20,000 deaths occur each year from pesticide poisoning in developing countries, many of these from cotton farming, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Low Eco Impact Dyes

Simply Fido LLC products are colored with low impact dyes, also known as “fiber reactive dyes”. This dye process uses less water and generates much less waste and contamination. Low impact dyes do not contain toxic chemicals and they require low temperatures during productions, which saves energy needed to heat the dyes.

The reclaiming of dyes from used water allows the water to be recycled, therefore reduces environmental impact in making of our products.

What is Organic?

All countries around the world define the term “Organic” in different ways, and the citizens of those countries do not always agree on the definition that is being used. For all intensive purposes, the following quote from USDA presents a fair structure for the movement.

“What is organic product? Organic product is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic crops are grown without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation.

Before a product can be labeled ‘organic,’ a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic products before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.”

Organic vs. Conventional:

Seed Preparation:

Organic: Natural untreated GMO free seeds.

Conventional: typically treated with fungicides or insecticides. Possible GMOs.

Soil Preparation:

Organic: Healthy soil through crop rotation. Retains moisture in soil from increased organic matter.

Conventional: Synthetic fertilizers, loss of soil due to mono-crop culture, intensive irrigation.

Weed control:

Organic: Healthy soil creates natural balance. Beneficial insects and trap crops used.

Conventional: Aerial spraying of insecticides and pesticides. 9 of the most commonly used pesticides

are known cancer-causing agents.

Harvesting:

Organic: Natural defoliation from freezing temperatures or through the use of water management.

Conventional: Defoliation induced with toxic waxes.

Production:

Organic: Safe peroxide is used.

Conventional: Chlorine bleaching creates toxic bi-products which are released into the environment.

 

Softening:

Organic: Natural soybean softening.

Conventional: Petroleum- based softening.

What It Takes to Be Organic

To be certified as truly organic, crops must be grown on land free of any prohibited (non-organic) crop for a minimum of three years, prior to harvest. Crops grown on land during the transitional stage cannot be called organic. Organic also relates to the agricultural methods. Organic farming processes consider soil fertility, crop rotation, natural fertilizer, and composting methods for proper, healthy growth.

Organic producers must also follow the national list of acceptable/prohibited materials, which includes pest control processes, fertilizers and seed treatments.

Organic growth methods consider soil fertility and biodiversity crucial to maintaining the quality of the land and environment. Organic farming also monitors topsoil erosion, and the quality of groundwater to conserve energy and improve fertility of the land.

Organic farming techniques eliminate the use of unnatural hormones, antibiotics, pesticides and fertilizers to minimize the exposure of toxins in the environment. This corresponds to placing extra value on the soil, air, water and foods that touch our lives daily.

• Nearly 40% of the world’s agricultural land is gravely degraded (according to the IFPRI)
• Cotton products account for ~25% of the world’s insecticides and over 10% of the world’s pesticides
• 84 million lbs of pesticides were sprayed on 14.4 million acres of conventional cotton in the U.S. in2000—that is 5.58 lbs of pesticides per acre
• Cotton ranks second (behind corn) in the total amount of pesticides sprayed on the crop (2000).
• It takes about 1/3 of a pound of chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) to grow the cotton needed for one Tee shirt.

For more information on the nature of organic see the Organic Trade Association website: www.ota.com. Simply Fido is proudly a member of the Organic Trade Association.