Cotton is a natural material with a lot of benefits, but cotton production - from farm to factory to your store shelf - uses a lot of resources, not to mention a lot of pesticides. Choosing organic cotton when you can will not only be better for you but better for the environment.

Conventional cotton production alone makes up about 25% of the world's insecticide use and 10% of all pesticide use. That's a lot of toxic chemicals for one industry that not only affects the farmers and workers who grow the cotton, but those pesticides also get into the air, soils and ground water contaminating wildlife and potentially the food supply.

According to the Organic Trade Association:

Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture.

With the demand for organic cotton on the rise, those pesticide numbers could change but it might take a while considering organics represents just 0.03% of worldwide cotton production. The United States, Turkey and India are the top three producers of organic cotton.

So next time you're cruising the aisles for t-shirts or sheets see if there's an organic cotton option. You might be surprised to find it in places you'd least expect it like The Gap, Target and at Wal-Mart. The more organic cotton purchased will send signals to cotton producers that people do want to see more organic options available.

More on cotton production:
Organic Trade Association
Pesticide Action Network North America
Sustainable Cotton Project

Here's several companies with organic cotton options featured by GO's Victoria E:

Green Style Spotlight: Maggie's Functional Organics
Green Style Spotlight: Kate Quinn Organics
Green Style Spotlight: Jonano
Green Style Spotlight: Certified Jeans
Green Style Spotlight: bgreen
Green Style Spotlight: Yoga, Tribe and Culture
Green Style Spotlight: Belle & Dean
Green Style Spotlight: American Apparel
Green Style Spotlight: Wildlife Works

More related information from GO:

Fair Trade: Environment
Eco-Friendly Yarns Promote Greener Knitting Projects
Tip o' the Day: Kitting the Way
The Green Options Interview: Andy Ruben of Wal-Mart
Fashion & Apparel