Are cotton T-shirts a sustainable product?

Although this plant-based fiber’s biodegradable nature is a big plus when compared with synthetic fabrics, cotton has a few environmental and social problems. For example, cotton production is water-intensive, and it requires more than 2,700 liters of water to produce a T-shirt. Moreover, cotton farming often involves intense pesticide use, which can negatively impact water sources and soil fertility. Chronic exposure to pesticides can also cause serious health problems for farmers, such as cancer and leukemia.

Environmentally speaking, organic cotton is the better alternative to conventional cotton, as it is free of harmful pesticides and requires 62% less energy. However, organic cotton tends to require more water and land because of its lower yield. No matter how innovative the fabric is, there are always pros and cons. While investing in low-impact materials, you can also focus on wearing more and wasting less so that you can improve the lifecycle of your wardrobe.