All the MEC Label cotton clothing you buy from us is made of 100% organically grown cotton. When organic cotton is grown, it doesn’t use chemical insecticides, pesticides, chemical soluble fertilizers or genetically modified organisms.
How much of a difference does going organic make? Compared to conventionally grown cotton, organic cotton has:
- 62% reduced energy demand
- 46% reduced global warming potential
- 70% less acidification potential
- 26% less nutrients leaching from the soil
- 91% less water taken via irrigation
The results came from a 2014 study that was a group effort between MEC, 13 other brands, and the Textile Exchange (a non-profit committed to textile sustainability). It investigated the impact of organic cotton cultivation in India, China, Turkey, Tanzania and the United States (the top five countries for organic cotton cultivation, which account for 97% of global organic cotton production).
Tencel
Although Tencel®, or lyocell, is a man-made fibre, it begins its life as a naturally sourced cellulose fibre made from tree pulp. Trees used for Tencel are typically fast-growing trees grown on Forest Stewardship Council certified farms. The process to make Tencel is non-toxic and closed-loop, which makes Tencel an environmentally friendly fibre option. It’s also soft, moisture-wicking and quick-drying. We recently started using Tencel in MEC-label products, and other brands are doing the same.
