Cotton is the water guzzler among textiles. On average, 8,000 litres of water are needed for the cultivation of just one kilogram of cotton. In addition, cotton is responsible for the use of no less than 11% of all pesticides and 25% of all insecticides in the world. The soil in which cotton plants grow becomes so exhausted during cultivation that fertiliser has to be used to make cotton production possible again.
Use of cotton in our fabrics
Despite the fact that cotton has many disadvantages for the environment, we use a small amount of cotton in our products. That may sound contradictory, but it is because cotton fibres have a property that bamboo fibres don’t have. Coarse cotton fibres provide strength and structure to our clothing. Fortunately, there is a solution to reduce the environmental impact of cotton cultivation: organic cotton.
Organic cotton: a step forward
Looking at a product, it’s impossible to tell whether the fabric uses organic or normal cotton. The difference is in the production. The production of organic cotton uses techniques and materials that have a low impact on the environment. For example, organic cotton is grown without the use of pesticides or fertilisers and spun without the addition of chemicals. We remain committed to producing the cotton we use in our products as sustainably as possible.
Bamboo products are better for the environment
Although we use a small amount of cotton in our products to add strength and structure, bamboo makes up the majority of our unique fabric composition. For example, our boxers consist of 68% bamboo, 28% cotton and 4% elastane. Our socks don't contain any cotton at all. We favour bamboo because it can be grown without harming the environment. Here’s how.
Bamboo only needs sunlight and rainwater to grow. So no artificial watering is needed. No pesticides, insecticides or fertilisers are required to grow bamboo. After cutting, bamboo ‒ which is the fastest growing plant on Earth ‒ continues to grow immediately because the plant’s roots remain in the ground. Each square metre of farmland can produce 10 times more bamboo than cotton.
Bamboo products also offer benefits for you
As well as benefitting the environment, the use of bamboo also benefits you. Clothing made using bamboo keeps you feeling comfortable, fresh and dry all day long. That’s because the smooth structure of bamboo fibres means that fabrics made using bamboo feel wonderfully soft against your skin. The micro-holes in bamboo fibres help to regulate your body temperature and wick moisture away from your skin, keeping you fresh and dry. Once you've tried bamboo clothing, you won't want anything else. Think of yourself and the environment. Order your clothes from Bamigo.