|
 |
|
| Organic |
|
Conventional |
| Seed Preparation: |
Natural, untreated GMO free seeds. |
|
Typically treated with fungicides or insecticides. Possible GMOs. |
| Soil Preparation: |
Healthy soil through crop rotation. Retains moisture in soil from increased organic matter. |
|
Synthetic fertilizers, loss of soil due to mono- crop culture, intensive irrigation. |
| Weed Control: |
Healthy soil creates natural balance. Beneficial insects and trap crops used. |
|
Aerial spraying of insecticides and pesticides. Nine of the most commonly used pesticides are known cancer-causing agents. |
| Harvesting: |
Natural defoliation from freezing temperatures or through the use of water management |
|
Defoliation induced with toxic chemicals. |
| Production: |
Warp fibers stabilized using double-plying or nontoxic cornstarch. |
|
Warp fibers stabilized using toxic waxes. |
| Whitening: |
Safe peroxide is used. |
|
Chlorine bleaching creates toxic by-products, which are released into the environment. |
| Finishing: |
Soft scour in warm water with soda ash, for a pH of 7.5 to 8. |
|
Hot water, synthetic surfactants, additional chemicals (sometimes formaldehyde). |
| Dyeing: |
Low-impact fiber-reactive or natural dyes with low metal and sulfur content. |
|
High temperature containing heavy metals and sulfur. |
| Printing: |
Low-impact, water-based inks and/or pigments with no heavy metals. |
|
Pigments may be petroleum based and contain heavy metals. Run-off spills into waterways, polluting streams. |
| Fair Trade: |
Social criteria in place to ensure safe, healthy, non-abusive, nondiscriminatory, environment, with living wages. |
|
No social screening. Possible child or forced labor used. Facilities may be unsafe and unhealthy. |
| Price: |
Initial cost more expensive. Long-term advantages: priceless. |
|
Initially cheaper. Long-term impact on environment: devastating. |
|
© 2008 Harmony Art & Fox-Rich Textiles
|
